I was with my friend two days ago watching a movie from the TV Screen and suddenly she just asked
"Miss Busayo, which one brings answers to a prayer between fasting and vigil?"
I looked at her and was surprised at the question, not because I can't give her an answer but the fact that she is a Christian and for her to ask such question is something I can't figure out.
Though, I gave her my own answer and would like to throw it here to hear your opinions about it too. I still think of the question till now and I hope my answer here won't be judged but do believe that I am also a being and believer who is still learning from God's word. At least we would have Bible scholars here like @Fexonice1 who could enlighten us more on this.
First of all, we would like to understand the meaning of both words "Fasting and Vigil"
What is Fasting?
Fasting is when you willingly abstain from food or drink for a limited period of time. This time, you aren't suffering for lack of food. You have a purpose with God on that.
What is Vigil?
This is a period where you don't sleep at night when you are supposed to be sleeping so as to communicate with God. Apart from praying at this hour, we also engage ourselves with business or staying up late to read for exams, read to pass an interview, stay up late to work on a project etc. This hour is between 12am to 5am if I am right. But spiritually, you are up to pray to God because we believe this is the right time to open up to God and destroy the works of Devil in our lives or especially when we want our problems to be solved. We prefer waking up at night to do so.
There is a Bible scripture where Jesus even told the Christians to always put oil on their head when they are fasting and not to do as the hypocrites do. How do they do? If you would remember the story of the Pharisee and the publican (tax collector) in Luke 18:9-14, the Pharisee was an hypocrite because he prayed to be seen by all, instead of doing it secretly just like how the tax collector did.
So also when we are fasting, we don't need to let people know we are. Fasting should be done between you and God alone.
You don't fast and still focus on the food or things you do not have.
You don't fast to seek people's attention.
You should only fast for this reason;
"To draw nearer to God and be so close and deep in His promises for you".
NOW TO THE QUESTION;
"Is it Fasting or holding up a Vigil that makes prayers answer?
I would say both because there is something so important between them which is your right state of mind with God. Your wholeness, your pure heart and one thing that stands so significant which is "FAITH".
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. This is found in Hebrews.
When we fast without a purpose, our prayers won't be answered.
When you go for vigil without a purpose, your prayers can't be answered. Why?
John 4:24 says
"God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth". (Taken from my personal Bible even though the plagiarism detected it to be plagiarized 😔)
There must be a purpose why you are going for fasting or observing Vigil, it is for your prayers to receive answers from God but if you are thinking one can work swiftly than the others, you are only deceiving yourself if your heart isn't pure with God. Both works and must be with the right aim.
Praying or fasting without action (which is your faith) is useless. You are just doing it for yourself.
I love going to vigil more than fasting but does that mean we won't fast? It is very important to do both (fasting and praying (vigil included) as Christians because Jesus also fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before he was tempted by the devil. All glory to God because he overcame the devil's tactics.
There are so many people in the Bible who fasted especially Moses. Fasting would make you go deeper in the word of God and make you have a cordial relationship with God.
I think I have made my own opinion clear on this. I would be glad if you can add to what I have said here in the comment section so we can all learn from each other.
Thanks for reading.
|August 06, 2021|
for me as a christian,both also.its because you do it as sacrifice and to show god how serious you are and how faithful you are to his love and promises. anyways,i can say you have that deep faith in Him.