Theme 124 : Levels of Fasting

We need nourishment for our body, mind, heart and soul. To fast is to restrict one’s personal consumption in order to bring oneself in line with God.
The four levels of Fasting are :
1. Physical fasting - to restrict one's physical consumption (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching) in order to bring the body in line with God.
2. Mental fasting - to restrict one's mental consumption (rationalizing, comparing,  judging, etc.) in order to bring the mind in line with God.
3. Emotional fasting - to restrict one's emotional consumption (being loved, cared for, supported, attended, etc.) in order to bring the heart in line with God.
4. Spiritual fasting - to restrict one's spiritual consumption (being ritualistic, hoarding knowledge, lip service, etc.) in order to bring the soul in line with God.

Prayer : Help me, Lord, to fast whenever I go through the experience of YOUR absence or when I know someone else needs the experience of YOUR Presence. May I imbibe YOUR style of functioning and be ever in line with YOU.

Theme 123 : Lifting Hands Up

"Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them." - Luke 24:50
"I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument." - 1 Timothy 2:8
"Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and the land raised his right hand to heaven"  - Revelation 10:5
"Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord." -  Psalm 134:2
"Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice." - Psalm 141:2
"Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord." - Psalm 134:2
"Let bronze be brought from Egypt; let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out its hands to God."  - Psalm 68:31

Prayer :
"I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name." - Psalm 63:4
"Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to you for help, as I lift up my hands towards your most holy sanctuary."  - Psalm 28:2
"My eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call on you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you." - Psalm 88:9

Theme 122 : My Inner Atmosphere

Animals, birds and human beings have their own suitable atmosphere in their own dwelling-places. In Heaven God has a befitting atmosphere for HIS dwelling. Out of love for us, God offers to dwell in us to help us in our fragility. We need to have enough inner credibility to make the Holy God feel comfortable within us. Lazarus, Mary and Martha made Jesus feel at home in their house at Bethany. We are to constantly check whether the atmosphere inside us is appropriate for the Purest One to dwell or not. Let us be regular in keeping our inner self clean and tidy.

Prayer :
Forgive me, my God, for the times I ignored YOU conveniently or invited YOU without any inner preparation. May I be able to put my heart and effort to keep my inner atmosphere fitting for YOUR dwelling.