Fast of Elijah • Day 4 • Fast & Pray

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, You stood among Your disciples and said, “Peace be with you,” and You breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. Give us that peace today, especially in the places where forgiveness is difficult. Prepare our hearts to receive Your mercy and to extend mercy to others, without fear, pride, or resentment. Amen.

Scripture Reading

John 20:21–23 — “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’”

Philippians 2:5–8 — “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross.”

Reflection

When the risen Christ appeared to his frightened disciples in a locked room, his first words were “Peace be with you.” He then did something remarkable: he breathed on them — just as God breathed life into Adam — and granted them the authority to forgive and retain sins. This act is understood in the Armenian Church as the institution of the sacrament of Confession: not a transaction of human judgment, but a healing ministry exercised through human instruments by the power of the Holy Spirit. The priest stands not as a judge but as a physician. Yet the devotional makes clear that sacramental forgiveness and interpersonal forgiveness are inseparable. St. Paul’s hymn about Christ emptying himself presents the ultimate model: to forgive others, we must first empty ourselves of resentment, bitterness, and pride, making room for God’s grace to move freely through us.

Group Discussion Questions

Gather with your group and discuss:

The sacrament of Confession can feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable to many people. Has tonight’s teaching changed how you understand it — as not a courtroom but a place of healing? What would make it easier for you to approach?
The devotional says that holding resentment or bitterness in our hearts “blocks God’s grace from working in us.” Is there a relationship in your life right now where unforgiveness may be functioning as that kind of block?
Christ emptied himself — of privilege, status, and self-protection — in order to bring us salvation. Is there something you’re holding onto tightly right now that you sense God might be asking you to release so that healing can happen?

Personal Reflection Questions

Take some quiet time with these:

Is there someone in your life from whom you need to ask forgiveness, or to whom you need to extend it? What is one concrete step you could take this week toward that reconciliation?
The devotional says confession is a process of healing “during which the sinful ailments are cured by the grace of God.” If you haven’t approached the sacrament of Confession recently, what would it take for you to do so before the end of this fast?

Closing Prayer