Mind Meal

Today, I serve up a banquet of quotes for the intellect. Enjoy every morsel of goodness.

“And so He teaches us two lessons of deep importance about prayer. The one is that faith needs a life of prayer in which to grow and keep strong. The other is that prayer needs fasting for its full and perfect development.” — Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer

“Of course, we are meant to eat, and even to feast, but only when we fast do we make real progress toward being free of our dependence on food to soothe our depression and anesthetize our anxieties.” — Andy Crouch, The Tech-Wise Family

“By fasting, the body learns to obey the soul; by praying the soul learns to command the body.” — William Secker, A Puritan Golden Treasury

“One way to begin to see how vastly indulgent we usually are is to fast. It is a long day that is not broken by the usual three meals. One finds out what an astonishing amount of time is spent in the planning, purchasing, preparing, eating, and cleaning up of meals.” — Elisabeth Elliot

“If you say ‘I will fast when God lays it on my heart,’ you never will. You are too cold and indifferent to take the yoke upon you.” — Dwight L. Moody

“The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night.” — John Piper, A Hunger for God

“Biblical fasting can position our heart to receive God’s truth. It can make those of us who are believers ready for the planting of the Word, and through that, to receive greater insight, direction, and faith (Romans 10:17). Then we will be better prepared to set ourselves apart from earthly concerns and spend time concentrating on heavenly matters. The Lord may use this time to reveal any stumps, rocks, and roots that entangle our heart and prevent spiritual growth. And He promises to be with us as we confess and face these obstacles.” — Dr. Charles Stanley, Daily Devotions – The Benefits of Fasting

“Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and confirm our resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything –  to sacrifice ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” — Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer

Photo of empty ceramic table setting on gray by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash.
Photo of four blue bowls by khloe arledge on Unsplash.
Photo of wedding banquet table by hao qin on Unsplash.
All Scripture quotations were added by Manette Kay.