fast & pray

Today we read from these verses in the One Year Bible:

Ezra 8:21-9:15
1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Psalm 31:1-8
Proverbs 21:1-2

Let's look at Ezra. Ezra and his companions are about to embark on a trip. And journeys in those days were much more dangerous than they are today. The possibility of getting lost, getting attacked, or being cheated were very present dangers. So Ezra and his friends fast and pray in order to ask God to protect them on their trip. 

Why is fasting important? Well, it helps us to focus. Food was a big source of enjoyment and distraction in his time (and it is now, as well). So giving up food to focus on prayer was a good way to pray more effectively. 

Today, we can certainly fast from food, and many times the church teaches that we should. But we can also fast from other distractions, such as TV, the internet, or social media. It's good to take some time away from these distractions and remember what is most important. 

Is God asking you to fast from anything today? 

God, thanks for teaching us the value of fasting.