Bridal Fast Day 1

Bridal Fast Day 1

I desire a fasting and prayer lifestyle – the conviction came from last year ONE THING Conference in Mesa. It seems that working around house and taking care of my family took a lot of time. I tend to make a list of ‘to do’s and feel very accomplished when everything in this ‘to do’ list is checked. Often times, I will lose the peace, especially when I need to run around meeting time lines. I read His words daily and have hugely benefited from His words. However, spending time with Jesus has not become the greatest priority. Holy Spirit has been prompting me for a while on fasting, sorry it has been put in back burner. A friend of mine is starting 21 day Daniel diet to hear more from God. I wanted to set the same time period for fasting as well. After much prayer, I decided to fast one meal per day for next 21 days. I will use the ‘no meal’ time to wait upon Him, to praise Him, to pray to Him, so I can truly sing ‘I am yours and you are mine’ (Song of Songs 2:16).

I did a GOOGLE search on Ancient Jewish Wedding with 12 steps, and found Jewish customs on bridal fast. This is the title of my fast, the bridal fast.

http://www.opendoorministrieswv.org/ancientjewishwedding.html

Step Seven: Mikvah

Brides in ancient Israel, as well as brides in Israel today, experience a mikvah prior to her wedding. The word ‘mikvah’ means a pool of living water which was used for ritual purification. This immersion in water is part of their physical and spiritual preparation for the wedding ceremony. The mikvah represents a separation from the old life to a new life.

Mark 16:16 reads, “He who believes and is baptized (goes to the mikvah) will be saved; but he who does not believe, will be condemned.”

The Bride of Christ also goes to the living waters of the mikvah. When we, as believers in Yeshua (Jesus), are immersed in water (Holy Spirit), it is a separation from an old life to a new life. “Old things pass away, all things become new.”

Step Eight: Departure of the Groom

John 14:2: “I go to prepare a place for you.”

Once the marriage covenant was sealed, the bridegroom left his bride to go to his father’s house to prepare a wedding chamber. He would be gone for up to twelve
months.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus said “In My Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Our Bridegroom has gone to prepare a wedding chamber for His bride.

In Matthew 9:15, Jesus said, “Can the friends of the Bridegroom mourn as long as the
Bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

While we wait for the return of our Bridegroom/King, we need to stay faithful, watchful and spiritually alert. This is the hour to pray and fast!

1 Peter 4:7 says, "But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers."

Step Nine: The Consecrated Bride

The Jewish bride was set apart, consecrated, separated unto her bridegroom — the one
who purchased her. So, while waiting for his return, she was to stay faithful. It was probably easy at first. But when his return was delayed, the temptation would be great. After a while, the bride may even start to question his return.

2 Peter 3:3,4 reads: "Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?'”

We are His consecrated bride, awaiting His return. We cannot fall into temptation. We must be ready at all times for the return of our Bridegroom/King!

Dear friends, please say a prayer for me when you read this blog, so this fast will be fruitful and God intended purpose can be accomplished – to set apart as the bride of Christ.