21 Days of Fasting and Prayer Devotional: Mountains Will Move!Sample

Day 9: The Kind of Fasting God Honors

The issue of motive was at the heart of Jesus’ first words on fasting. We see this in Matthew, chapter six. Jesus said, “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” (Matthew 6:17–18, NLT).

So, is Jesus saying that no one should ever know you are fasting? The short answer is no, but the fact of the matter is a spiritual activity, like fasting, can become an attempt to seek the admiration and applause of people. Jesus understood this pitfall and wanted us to avoid it. Instead of worrying about others, our focus should be on seeking the God who knows our hearts.

John Wesley declared, “First, let [fasting] be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven.” The kind of fasting that God honors is about putting our focus on Him. And when we do that, Jesus promises that God will see what others cannot and reward it!

As we continue in our 21 days of prayer and fasting, continue to make God’s attention your aim and be encouraged that He is going to reward you as a result of this season!