Give, Pray, Fast

“When you give …”

“When you pray …”

“When you fast …”

Those are a few of the words that Jesus spoke in His Sermon on the Mount. Clearly, Jesus expects His followers to give, pray, and fast.

WHEN YOU GIVE

Jesus says in Matthew 6:2-4 (NLT),

“When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

Here are four things to remember about giving: number one, we give because Jesus was a giver; number two, we are to give with humility; number three, we give knowing our gifts glorify God; and number four, we will be rewarded.

First, we give because Jesus gave. If we are going to truly follow Him, we must also be people who give. Giving is at the heart of the gospel, “For God so loved the world that He gave …”

Second, when you give, give with humility. Give knowing that you are able to give because you have been blessed and you are merely passing on blessings that God has given you. Truly, anything we have – wealth, abilities, intellect, opportunities – all came from God.

Third, when we give we glorify God and we will be rewarded by Him as well. Jesus says in Matthew 25:40, “When you bless others, you are blessing Him.” In Acts 10:4, Cornelius was told that his gifts to the poor were received by God as an offering. Those are beautiful words! It’s hard to imagine that our giving could bless God and be received in heaven, but that’s what He says.  

Fourth, Jesus says when we give in humility we will be rewarded for our giving. How we are rewarded is determined by God. It could be a financial reward, a spiritual reward, a career reward, or any other of a many great options. In another place, Jesus says, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38, (NLT)).

Finally, remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). So, let’s give our time, let’s give of our finances, let’s give of our abilities.

WHEN YOU PRAY

Jesus says in Matthew 6:5-6 (NLT) 

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

Jesus goes on to show us how to pray in what is known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Included in that is a command to forgive others.

When you pray, remember these four things about prayer: number one, pray to be heard by God and not people; number two, some prayers are to be private because they are to be authentic; number three, God will hear and respond to your prayers; and number four, forgive others.

First, pray to be heard by God and not people. Some people pray to be heard by others, because they’re not sure that God is listening. However, God is listening, so pray in faith.

Second, pray in private. Praying with others is also biblical.  However, sometimes praying in private is a must, because in our private moments we can be authentic – we can get real with God.

Third, pray knowing that God will answer. He may not answer when or how we would like, but He will answer and He’ll do it in a way better than we understand. James wrote, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16,(NLT)).

Fourth, forgive others. If we want God to hear and answer our prayers, we must forgive those who have wronged us.  Jesus says, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT). Sometimes it may be hard to forgive, especially when we’ve been hurt. Though it’s not easy to forgive, we must remember that it was not easy for Jesus to go to the Cross. We don’t forgive others because they have earned it. We forgive them because Jesus forgave us, and we know we did not earn it.

WHEN YOU FAST

Jesus says in Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT) 

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

Fasting isn’t easy, and yet Jesus expects us to fast. But why? Here are four things to remember about fasting: number one, Jesus fasted; number two, fasting is for our benefit, not others; number three, fasting aligns us with God’s will; and number four, fasting empowers us to give and pray.

First, Jesus fasted forty days and He was driven by the Spirit to do so (Mark 1:12). If Jesus was God, why did He need to fast? He fasted because He was also 100% man. As a man, Jesus had the ability to sin. If not, He could not have died for our sins. He fasted to bring His flesh in subjection to the Spirit. Likewise, we must follow Jesus’ pattern and deny our flesh.

Second, fasting is for our benefit, not others. Jesus calls us to fast in private, not for show. If we fast to be seen by others, we have received our reward. If, however, we fast in private – just between us and Jesus – that’s where we really make the connection with God.

Third, fasting aligns us with God’s will. Fasting is the prayer of the body. We are more than just our mind. Our souls are intimately united with our whole body. Our word “prayer” comes from a word that means “to ask.” When we start to limit our food, every cell in our body starts “asking.” It is in prayer and fasting that we come in alignment with God.

Fourth, fasting empowers us to give and pray. Fasting is to be private, but it is also to position us to help others (Isaiah 58:1-7) The prophet Ezekiel wrote, “Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door” (16:49 NLT). Do you see that? Their stomachs were full and they refused to give to the poor. Fasting puts us in the right place spiritually and mentally to help others.

GIVE | PRAY | FAST

How might it change our lives and the lives of others if we will, more and more, do all three; give, pray, and fast? If we are only doing one or two of these, we may be limiting ourselves. Doing all three of these may be synergistic. Remember, the wise man wrote, “Three are better than one, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Let’s do it! Let’s give to the poor, pray to God, and fast from food. Let’s do all three and experience all that God wants for us.