The season of Lent has started, time of fasting and abstinence. I have found a Lenten reflection I wrote about three years ago. It is reflection Isaiah 58:6-7
“The fasting that pleases Lord is:
Fasting is to break chains of injustice, to undo the cords of the yoke
Do I keep anyone in chains? Am I unjust to anyone or do I burden anyone through un-forgiveness, my pride or self-centredness?
Lord, help me to decide to break those chains, to undo those yokes from anybody I may be subconsciously afflicting.
To let oppressed free
Am I oppressing anyone? Am I misusing my authority on people? Am I oppressing myself through any bad habits, addictions, … ? Am I free? Do I put anything before God?
Lord I pray, remind me of all things that bind me in any way, of anything that oppresses me. You are the one who sets prisoners free, may this time of lent becomes a liberating experience so I may be ready to do your will.
To share bread with the hungry, to shelter the homeless poor
Lord, help me to be generous, help me to be aware of people around me. Give me strength to give even when I don’t have enough. Help me also to be strong and eager to give “the bread of life” to those who hunger for you, for satisfaction and fulfilment and peace in their soul. Help me to share that “bread” so they may live.
To clothe those I see to be naked
May I am always aware of the needs of people, material needs but also spiritual needs. May I clothe those who are naked, stripped of their dignity, those without honour, those who despair and those who pretend. Help me to clothe them in the garment of your love and righteousness, in the garment of your sonship, in the wedding dress of your bride.
Not to turn from your own kin
Lord, help me to remember and love those you have given me, my family, my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, my neighbours,…
Then there is a promise:
“If you fast in this way, then your light shine like the dawn and your wounds be quickly healed over; your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you...Your light will rise in the darkness and your shadows become like noon… The Lord will always guide you, giving you relief in desert places.” Isa 58:8-…
Lord, may your light, shine through us in the darkness so all people see your glory. Heal me and guide me, Lord, in the ways of perfection.
“The fasting that pleases Lord is:
- To break chains of injustice
- To undo the cords of the yoke
- To let the oppressed go free
- To share bread with the hungry
- To shelter the homeless
- To clothe those you see to be naked
- Not to turn from your own kin”
Fasting is to break chains of injustice, to undo the cords of the yoke
Do I keep anyone in chains? Am I unjust to anyone or do I burden anyone through un-forgiveness, my pride or self-centredness?
Lord, help me to decide to break those chains, to undo those yokes from anybody I may be subconsciously afflicting.
To let oppressed free
Am I oppressing anyone? Am I misusing my authority on people? Am I oppressing myself through any bad habits, addictions, … ? Am I free? Do I put anything before God?
Lord I pray, remind me of all things that bind me in any way, of anything that oppresses me. You are the one who sets prisoners free, may this time of lent becomes a liberating experience so I may be ready to do your will.
To share bread with the hungry, to shelter the homeless poor
Lord, help me to be generous, help me to be aware of people around me. Give me strength to give even when I don’t have enough. Help me also to be strong and eager to give “the bread of life” to those who hunger for you, for satisfaction and fulfilment and peace in their soul. Help me to share that “bread” so they may live.
To clothe those I see to be naked
May I am always aware of the needs of people, material needs but also spiritual needs. May I clothe those who are naked, stripped of their dignity, those without honour, those who despair and those who pretend. Help me to clothe them in the garment of your love and righteousness, in the garment of your sonship, in the wedding dress of your bride.
Not to turn from your own kin
Lord, help me to remember and love those you have given me, my family, my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, my neighbours,…
Then there is a promise:
“If you fast in this way, then your light shine like the dawn and your wounds be quickly healed over; your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you...Your light will rise in the darkness and your shadows become like noon… The Lord will always guide you, giving you relief in desert places.” Isa 58:8-…
Lord, may your light, shine through us in the darkness so all people see your glory. Heal me and guide me, Lord, in the ways of perfection.
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