What is your experience of fasting and prayer? I often look for big, fast results, but my experience with God is in slow, steady, and often unexpected direction.

I took part in the Advent study group on Fasting this past year with the Inspire Movement, and it provided unexpected riches.  I’ve been part of many Inspire online and in person courses, but something about this one was different; perhaps it is because fasting is a practice, a discipline, or maybe because this time I linked it more closely with prayer — not only my prayers but those of others.

We met for five weeks, a small group of us, with some minimal reading each week of Phil Meadow’s excellent book on fasting. (A Practical Guide to the Discipline of Fasting, by Philip R. Meadows, available at https://inspiremovement.org) I had two prayer requests, one I shared and one I didn’t realize, and both were answered during our time.  

My first prayer request has been ongoing for some time; it’s a matter of focus and vocation. How long do I stay as pastor of our church, which we took four years ago when I retired from full-time pastoral ministry?   How do I incorporate my interests in writing, in music?  What about more time for family, for travel?  

The second need was an awakening to a long-held resentment against someone close to me.  I’ll not go into details, but this relationship had been troubling for many years.  After a flare-up, caused by me,  I was led to the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus’ directive to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute you.

Perhaps there was a way out — what if I didn’t define that person as an “enemy”?  Could I get away with my resentment then?  

Of course that’s absurd, and thankfully I knew that.  Next I somehow knew to turn to the famous “love chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13, read at nearly every wedding.  In some translations there is the phrase, “love keeps no record of wrongs”, and with that the Word of God jolted me awake. 

I had long kept a record of wrongs against this person, and many others, at great cost.  Cherished resentments and self-righteousness take a toll on relationships with everyone, not the least of which is the Lord Whom I claim to serve.  

I wrote a letter of repentance, asking forgiveness, and the Lord offered a freedom of heart that changed everything.  

And for the second, while I was preparing for our first Sunday in Advent, I realized once more how much I love this work, how grateful I am for  being called to be a pastor to this small church in Texas, and that I want to do this as long as the Lord lets me.  

All other ministry flows out of being a pastor — playing music for shut-ins, being part of the Kairos prison ministry as clergy and part of the band, and more.  

The Lord answered both these prayers, gradually, and it was while we were seeking Him during a time of fasting.  I realized this truth when I met with one of my Inspire Fellowship bands.  Prayers, fellowship bands, fasting and seeking the Lord….and the grace to know when prayers have been answered. I want to follow Jesus; I want to follow the Lord Who answers prayer, even when I don’t realize I’m praying them.

Where have you seen God?