21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

Day 21

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7-9

This verse is a very comforting portion of Scripture.  It is also an appropriate place to end this journey of fasting and prayer.  This verse promises the forgiveness of God if we come to Him and confess our sins.  It provides an assurance that He does not cast us out but cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  There have been plenty of times I have needed this verse.

However, after 21 days of fasting and prayer I approach this verse differently.  If I walk in the light of Christ, then I will see my sin clearer.  The Holy Spirit shines a bright light into the shadowy parts of my inner self.  He exposes, with His light, the sin that hides there.

What is revealed is how much there is to cleanse in my life.  C.S. Lewis spoke of turning the lights on in a basement and watching the mice scurry for cover.  He said the light did not create the mice, but it did reveal the condition the darkness hid.  To walk in the light does that.  Over the past weeks I have been asking God to shine His light into my life and see what it reveals.

Sometimes I have resisted God’s light.  I did not want to know what was hidden in the basement of my life.  I wanted to try and live in blissful ignorance hoping the situation would not be an issue.  However, now, I want the light to shine within me.  I want to be changed and different.  And only the light of God can expose what needs to change.

At the end of the fast, I will reintroduce some foods that I have denied.  I will begin to spend some of my time differently.  But I will not go back to the old way of life.  I am changed and I want to continue to be changed.  I will not eat like I did before, and I will not spend my time as I previously did.  I will come back to a fast like this again in the future and seek once again a greater degree of change.

I am changed.  The Gospel of Jesus has changed me inside, outside, and forever.  I will not go back but continue to pursue the change God brings in my life.

Prayer: Father God, I have needed this verse to find forgiveness for my sins to You.  After I was forgiven, I would often make small changes but go back to the old patterns of life.  I need to walk in Your light so I can know what You desire to change within me.  I need Your forgiveness for the wrong things I have done.  I need the power of Your Spirit to change me so I live differently.

You have taught me so much over the past three weeks.  You have set me free from things within and given a purpose and direction to my life.  Continue to guide me in a path of righteousness for Your sake and for Your glory.