The Mount of Olives, with its olive-tree-covered slopes, is located just a few hundred yards east of Jerusalem. It is a serene place that Jesus frequently visited to get away from the crowds and be alone to pray and enjoy fellowship with God (Luke 22:39). The Mount of Olives is where Jesus prayed in agony in the Garden before His arrest. It was the last place the Lord’s feet touched on this earth before His ascension into Heaven (Acts 1:9-12), and it is where Scripture tells us His feet will one day touch again when He returns (Zechariah 14:3-5)!
I also want you to notice it was on that mountain that Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. He wept because the people did not recognize or seek the true presence of God that was right in their midst (Luke 19:41).
How often are we guilty of the same thing—of ignoring the Holy Spirit and neglecting to seek the presence of the Lord?
My prayer for you, as you begin the first day of this fast, is that you will start to experience the presence of the Lord like you never have before. Make His presence your highest goal of this, or any fast. Truly, the reward of fasting is not about obtaining material things. Fasting opens the door for blessings but those are merely side benefits. The real reward of fasting
is gaining more of Him—more of His presence in your life. I have never gone on a fast that I didn’t draw closer to the Lord.
May the presence of God surround you in greater measure now and throughout this year as you break away from the routine of life to fellowship with Jesus through fasting. Lord, may your presence fill these temples as we fast and pray. AMEN!