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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is true fasting. The common understanding of fasting is abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance, additionally, Isaiah 58:5-12 helps us to understand true fasting and its features. Beloved in the Lord, true fasting is not only an outward display of spirituality through abstaining from all kinds of food and drinks or as it was practised among the Israelites by the wearing of sackcloth and having one’s body covered with ashes as a sign of penitence. ( Isaiah 58:5)

The people of Isreal during the time of Prophet Isaiah fasted and prayed yet their fasting did not lead to the desired spiritual, moral and existential transformation. Isaiah said to them “Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high” (Isaiah 58:4) Beloved in the Lord, we find a similar trend in our dispensation, we have thousands of churches and millions of Christians scattered around different countries and continents. Christianity in Africa in has had tremendous growth and expansion over the decades. There are a variety of prayer, fasting and spiritual revival programmes organised by Churches throughout the year yet Africa’s socio-economic and moral decadence keeps worsening as the days go by. It is clear evidence that there is a disconnect or a great dichotomy between our spirituality and other spheres of life. Most politicians and civil servants are Christians yet corruption in government institutions is at its peak. The Judiciary is not an exception. There is little or no impact on our spiritual or Christian religious experience in the form of fasting, Bible Studies and prayer on our socio-economic, moral and political lives. This was the situation in Isaiah’s time therefore God spoke through Him to the nation Israel, that the features of true fasting or the impacts of true fasting are the following; “…to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke… to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh (your own people,..” (Isaiah 58:6-7). In other words, true fasting must lead to spiritual growth, moral transformation, social justice, equality, peace and respect for human dignity in our society and nation.

Beloved in the Lord, It is only when we practice true fasting “Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ (Isaiah 58:9). Similarly there are other promises the Lord will fulfil in our lives when we practice true fasting as captured by Isaiah in Isaiah 58:8,11-12. Let us practice true fasting beyond mere abstinence from food, drinks and other mundane activities, but more importantly yield impactful fruits through our fasting. God cannot be deceived for “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to fast aright and may our true fasting lead to our spiritual growth, moral transformation, social justice, peace and respect for human dignity. Amen.