Text: Isaiah 58:5-10
Memory text:
“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you ever experienced a radio “Phone-in Programme” or “Call-in Show” where the caller’s voice mixes with his loud radio sound, causing interference? The host only hears background noise and to prevent the interference, the host often says, “Caller, please turn down the volume of your radio” or “Switch off your radio so we can hear you clearly.”
Fasting is like turning down the volume of your body so you can hear the cries of others. When your stomach is quiet, your spirit becomes sensitive, not just to God but to the needs around you.
Our text describes the kind of fasting that God desires; which opens up our bowels of mercy (‭‭Isa‬ ‭58‬:‭6‬-‭7‬‬‬).
Fasting is not only about self-denial but softening the heart. It removes selfishness and allows you to feel what others feel. True fasting produces love, compassion, and justice. Your heart is opened to the injustice people face and the burdens others carry. Your hunger also reminds you that there are people who live with this hunger, not for hours, but for days, and who pray for what you are willingly giving up.
Fasting breaks selfishness because you become more aware of others’ suffering when your own comforts are removed. It increases sensitivity to people’s needs. As the flesh decreases, empathy increases.
It makes you more generous. When your plate is empty, your eyes should open to those who have none. It makes your prayers deeper as you don’t just pray for people, but you pray with empathy.
Showing mercy is our calling as Christ’s followers. “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them….” ‭‭(Heb‬ ‭13‬:‭3). The NLT says, “Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.”
Ministry without compassion is like a body without a heart; a lamp without oil; a river without water; authority without humanity; and truth without grace. Fasting without compassion is only hunger. “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Hos 6:6).
Friends, the fast God honours doesn’t just break yokes but breaks selfishness. As your sensitivity is sharpened through fasting, act on what you feel. Compassion changes the way you fast, and your fasting changes the way your body responds, provoking good health.

Prayer points
1. Father, use my fasting to end selfishness in me and open up every blocked channel of mercy, compassion, and empathy in me, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, sharpen my sensitivity to people’s needs that I never saw before now as I fast and help me to respond to them, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. As I fast, my heart becomes soft, tender, and sensitive to God and to people. Selfishness is broken, and generosity is birthed.
2. My fasting produces mercy, justice, and compassion. I am sensitive to the pain, burdens, and struggles of those around me.