Prayer and Fasting: God's Will of Compassion and Generosity

We are all called to be apart of God's house of prayer. Isaiah 56:7 reads, "Their burnt offering and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." But, what does that exactly mean? An important reason we pray to God's is for healing. Healing of sickness both physical and spiritual, and healing of relationships, those between each and the other and our relationship with God himself. In God's WORD He tells us about true healing, true prayer, and true fasting. Jesus demonstrates all three when he healed a deft and mute boy that Mark tells us about, and He shows us how they interrelate.

First we can talk about true pray. and for this we can go to the book of Jeremiah.

In Jeremiah 7:9-11 he talks to us about what what true prayer is by showing us what it is not. He tells us the story of God's house of prayer being defiled. He explains that this means that it is being used in a way that corrupts its original design and function. Prayer is not meant to keep you safe no matter how much you sin.

‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord. “

Prayer is designed to keep us in the continual will of the Father. When we misuse the purpose of prayer and worship, which is by faith, living holy and by the will of God, It breaches God's continual spring of healing water that God blesses us with daily. But because of His compassion we know that nothing can separate us from the the love of God. He shows us our mistakes so we, though forgiveness can be filled with Jesus' love and be ONE in Him as He is one with the Father. This is our safety in Him that protects us from all potential harm.

What does the bible say about fasting and what that has to do with healing? In the New Testament, Mark 9 21-29 tells the story of Jesus healing a deft and mute boy who was tormented by demons. But a closer look will tell you that before Jesus healed the the deft boy, he healed the boy's father by rebuking the man's spirit of doubt—his lack of faith, bringing him to repentance.

"Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting”.

We talked about true prayer being defined as maintaining God's house as it was originally designed to be, not a place of perpetual sin covered by sacrifice but of living by faith in God's will continually. Now we can look at Isaiah again for a definition of true fasting. The kind fasting that pleases God that brings true healing is described not just as repentance, but as compassion and generosity. This kind of "fasting"Isaiah says produces a people that are called, "Repairer of Broken Walls, [and] Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."(Isaiah 58:12)

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

6“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness[a] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Isaiah tells us that true fasting, , is not depriving yourself alone to mourn, but rather it is taking from the abundance that God has given you, and sharing with others all that they may need. Shedding your excess for the benefit of others. When we do this God promises to hear us and bring healing to you and those around you. Again in verses 7-9 he writes,

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;then your righteousness[a] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

Because God loves us so much His word is not vague. When He communicates, He tells us exactly what and how he wants us to live so we can walk in His healing love. "True" fasting should be something we do everyday and for every kind of healing. Not because we are trying to achieve 'goodness', only God is good, but because we are truly grateful and continually place ourselves under His will. God loved us so much that he sent His only Son to bring us understanding and healing so we are no longer in the dark. Jesus was the absolute sacrifice for our sins. Before we could even fully know our own sin and separation from God We were healed by Jesus' own stripes. Yet by His example of love, we are all called to love each other with the same love to lay down our lives for one another which is Gods will. True prayer is being continually in God will. And showing compassion and generosity is God's true definition of fasting that brings forth healing!