Good Morning!
Here is today’s devotion to start your day.
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Scripture: Matthew 6:17–18
“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.”
Reflection
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that many believers shy away from. In many cultures food is more than nourishment. Sharing food with loved ones is a way to show how much we care. We tend to think that abstaining from food could be detrimental if not harmful. But Jesus asserts that fasting is a normal part of our spiritual life. Jesus didn’t say, “If you fast…,” He said, “WHEN you fast….”
Fasting is a discipline that shifts our hunger from the things of this world to God. Yet Jesus warns against gloomy displays of sacrifice. If fasting becomes a show, its power is lost. True fasting is hidden, joyful, and centered on the Father.
When practiced with sincerity, fasting awakens spiritual hunger. It clears distractions and reminds us that our deepest need is not food or comfort but the presence of God. The Spirit uses fasting to sharpen desire and deepen dependence.
Jesus teaches us to fast with joy, not self-pity. Wash your face, anoint your head, and live as if nothing were missing —because in truth, nothing is. God Himself is your sustenance. This hidden act becomes a feast for the soul.
Centering Prayer
Lord,
Teach me to hunger for You above all else. When the distractions of this world pull me away from you, help me to return to You with my whole heart. Purify my desires and fill me with the joy of Your presence. – Amen.
Practice for Today
Consider setting aside one meal or one activity to focus on God. Use the time to pray and reflect instead.
Journaling Prompt
What hungers compete with my desire for God?
How might fasting redirect my appetite toward Him?
Blessing for the Day
Hunger for God above all.
Find joy in His presence.
Be filled with the Spirit’s strength,
and focus your heart on Him to sustain you this day.
Pray as You Go
Breathe in: Hungry for You…
Breathe out: … satisfied in Your love