Fasting: America's Last Great Hope
Richard A. Bradley
Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 6:16-18
16 ''Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
As the church we've been asked to declare November 1 as a day of fasting and prayer and this is entirely fitting because our country is holding probably it's most important election in history on November 8. This is an election that, more than any other, holds the potential to radically change the future of our great republic. I know what you're thinking. Many of you are thinking, ''Preacher I don't identify with either candidate.'' I know how you feel. Frankly, neither of these two would be my choice. But here we sit because only two legitimate candidates are running.
Since someone is going to be elected why not elect the candidate God wants us to have? I'm pretty sure neither candidate has come forward and said he or she has a mandate from God. How can we be sure this happens and we are left with the country God has in mind for us? It won't happen by chance. Why not try the biblical formula? Why not try prayer and fasting?
WHAT IS FASTING?
16 ''Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Fasting is a voluntary sacrifice for the purpose of drawing near to God. In Old Testament days the law required a sacrifice - the giving of some costly thing to God. It might have been a bull or it might have been a lamb or it might have been a drink or grain offering but it had to be cos ...
Richard A. Bradley
Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 6:16-18
16 ''Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
As the church we've been asked to declare November 1 as a day of fasting and prayer and this is entirely fitting because our country is holding probably it's most important election in history on November 8. This is an election that, more than any other, holds the potential to radically change the future of our great republic. I know what you're thinking. Many of you are thinking, ''Preacher I don't identify with either candidate.'' I know how you feel. Frankly, neither of these two would be my choice. But here we sit because only two legitimate candidates are running.
Since someone is going to be elected why not elect the candidate God wants us to have? I'm pretty sure neither candidate has come forward and said he or she has a mandate from God. How can we be sure this happens and we are left with the country God has in mind for us? It won't happen by chance. Why not try the biblical formula? Why not try prayer and fasting?
WHAT IS FASTING?
16 ''Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Fasting is a voluntary sacrifice for the purpose of drawing near to God. In Old Testament days the law required a sacrifice - the giving of some costly thing to God. It might have been a bull or it might have been a lamb or it might have been a drink or grain offering but it had to be cos ...
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