“Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;”
Joel 2:15 NKJV
We are fasting and praying for Lent. During these 40 days we have all declared our fasts in faith. But what happens when we slip up? What happens when we break our fast? We need to keep going.
Keep reading.
If you miss a day reading the Lent devotional, it’s alright. You can pick up where you left off, go back and read any missed days, or start fresh again by reading the current day. Just keep going.
Keep praying.
Let’s say you kept to your fast, read the devotional, but failed to spend some focused time in prayer. Give yourself some grace and pray today. You may want to make a realistic plan for the time of day you will set aside for prayer. God still wants to commune with you so keep going.
Keep fasting.
Mistakes happen. Weaknesses happen. If you decided to fast from sodas but couldn’t hold out, forgive yourself. Try again. Pray about your fast and consecrate (declare) your fast again. Stumbling across the finish line is still better than not finishing at all. Just keep going.
The most important part of fasting is our engagement with God as we examine ourselves. Don’t shy away from him because of feelings of guilt or failure over a broken fast. Renew your commitment and just keep going.