A call for inward and outward change

Isaiah 58: 6-8

“Is not this the fast that I choose:
          to loose the bonds of injustice,
          to undo the thongs of the yoke,
     to let the oppressed go free,
          and to break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
          and bring the homeless poor into your house;
     when you see the naked, to cover them,
          and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
          and your healing shall spring up quickly;
     your vindicator shall go before you,
          the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.”

Ours is a faith that calls for prayer, and ours is a faith that calls for introspection and times of fasting.  But ours is also a faith that calls for action and calls us to change our community for the better. This dual nature of inward-focused, introspective prayer and fasting combined with outward-focused action within our community are two sides of the same coin.  Both are driven by a call, a need to let God change us and make us better, on both a personal level and a social level.  We let God change us for the better and in turn we also strengthen each other.

Prayer: God, as we enter this season of fasting, introspection, and prayer, help us change and prepare not only our hearts and minds, but our community as well.  You strengthen our community of faith and help us be a light to all who see and know us.  Help us know you better, in prayer, fasting, and in action this day.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Stephen Case-Blanchard