218 Join With Me In Fasting For The Our World A Guided Christian Meditation on Isaiah 58:6-8

Mar 29, 2020

218 Join With Me In Fasting For The Our World A Guided Christian Meditation on Isaiah 58:6-8

I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God.  By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina:

Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.

Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.

Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:

Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate.

Bible verses for Meditation:

Isaiah 58:6-8
NIV
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

NABRE
Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose:
    releasing those bound unjustly,
    untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
    breaking off every yoke?
7 Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry,
    bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
    and not turning your back on your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
    and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Meditation on Scripture:

This scripture points out our role in the world when there is suffering. As we experience the fear and worry associated with a world in panic, we can realize that we may be able to serve in unique ways. We have more options than to choose between ignorance and debilitating fear. If you are searching for something that you could do to help this world, I have an idea. Each of us who are healthy enough to fast can conduct a special fast for the healing of our world. As we do we can be prayerful of the medical providers who need guidance, sustainment, and rest. We can be prayerful for those who are afflicted and suffering physically from disease. And we can pray that the financial consequences of this disease don’t cause additional suffering. 

Fasting does not twist God’s arm into listening to us, but it can help us by helping us focus on God and those in need. While fasting we can learn to put down our immediate needs by confronting one of our most consistent urges. As we connect with the discomfort of fasting we become aware of the realities of those who are in want and our hearts can grow to find additional ways to serve. 

Eventually this particular bizzare and tragic situation will end and we will see the light of the dawn we as a world will be healed. Never forget that God’s light penetrates the darkness. There is nothing that happens now that will not be shown in the full understanding of God’s light. The effects will be felt as we move on with life, as it always is with tragedy but hopefully we can do it while keeping the desire for service to our fellow human beings. 

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials.
Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life:
This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast

Updates:

Final Question: What does the practice of the fast teach you about God?

Final Thought: I invite you to Join me in fasting today, of course exercising good judgement if you are healthy enough to fast. But if you are this may give us something we can do. When I fast, I normally do a dry fast for a day. It is a physical challenge some days but it reminds us of our need before God. As we intensify our prayer during a fast it is a way to focus our intent and try our resolve. It is also a way that we can serve tangibly. If you forgo eating then you ideally have a surplus of food that translates into money. Perhaps find a worthy charitable cause and donate to that cause as a result of the fast. I would recommend looking at charities that need help during this time and giving to one of them. Although our leaders tell us to stay physically distant that doesn't mean there isn't anything we can do to help. Let us help God in helping to spiritually reinvigorate our communities. 

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