Resolutions For 2025

I will continue the resolutions I made in 2019, three of which was based on Rev Stephen Schaefer's advice and the fourth was added in the middle of 2019 and renewed in September 2019 and renewed again in January 2020 and again in September 2023.

1. Every day I will pray that what ever I do, I will do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
2. I will pray to be filled with the Spirit so that I have no room for other things (Ephesians 5:18).
3. I will pray that I may walk in the Spirit, so as not to fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
4. I will also pray to speak gracious words of comfort like a priest (Colossians 4:6).

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18 ESV)
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 KJV)
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6 ESV)

Additionally, I would also like to bring to my remembrance the three requests I made in 1979, for the perseverance of Jacob, the heart of David and the power of Elijah.

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. (Genesis 32:28 KJV)
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22 KJV)
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (James 5:17 KJV)

Putting God On Probation

When Jacob's parents bade him to go to Haran to get a wife, he had a dream of a ladder leading to heaven. He was thoroughly awed by this dream but did Jacob accept God straightaway? No. Instead, he set God a KPI.

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you." (Genesis 28:20-22 ESV)

Did God respect Jacob's KPI? 

Resolutions For 2023 After Two Thirds of the Year is Passed

I will continue the resolutions I made in 2019, three of which was based on Rev Stephen Schaefer's advice and the fourth was added in the middle of 2019 and renewed in September 2019 and renewed again in January 2020.

1. Every day I will pray that what ever I do, I will do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
2. I will pray to be filled with the Spirit so that I have no room for other things (Ephesians 5:18).
3. I will pray that I may walk in the Spirit, so as not to fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
4. I will also pray to speak gracious words of comfort like a priest (Colossians 4:6).

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18 ESV)
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 KJV)
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6 ESV)

Additionally, I would also like to bring to my remembrance the three requests I made in 1979, for the perseverance of Jacob, the heart of David and the power of Elijah.

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. (Genesis 32:28 KJV)
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22 KJV)
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (James 5:17 KJV)

Paul Prays For The Churches

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV)

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:9-12 NIV)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11 NIV)

Paul prayed for the churches that

1. God will make them worthy of His calling;
2. God's power to help them accomplish every good desire and faithful work;
3. They will glorify the name of our Lord Jesus, and Jesus will glorify them according to His grace;
4. God will fill them with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives;
5. They will bear fruit;
6. They will be kept pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

God Invite Us to Pray

The Lord is near. Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:5b-6 Berean Literal Bible)

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3 CSB)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20 ESV)

Pray. Do not be anxious. Our God will answer. When He has answered, glorify Him and give thanks.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11 ESV)

He even has a free Seven Eleven Convenience Store for you.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26 ESV)

God sends His Holy Spirit to help us to pray. What more can we ask for?

You ask and don't receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:3 CSB)

Prayers not answered? Here is a list of items prayed by Paul the Apostle pray for his fellow Christians and you can follow his example:

1. God will make them worthy of His calling;
2. God's power to help them accomplish every good desire and faithful work;
3. They will glorify the name of our Lord Jesus, and Jesus will glorify them according to His grace.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV)

Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18 CSB)

Pray for all the saints.

Prove God to be true by praying according to His Word and His Will.

Throne of Grace

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV)

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV)

We have no basis to approach God in prayer, if we do not approach Him through our great high priest, our God, our Lord and Saviour.

Respect And Pray For Church Leaders

Honour the church leaders.

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. (1 Timothy 5:17 ESV)

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NIV)

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7 ESV)

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17 ESV)

Pray for them.

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:19-20 NIV)

Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. (Colossians 4:3 NLT)

Brothers, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:25 ESV)

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 ESV)

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. (Hebrews 13:18 ESV)

Praying For Lost Things

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7 KJV)

Every time when I lose something or when my children lose something and they come to me, I would prayed for it to be found. My prayers were mostly answered. I have testified about this here, here, here and here.

Despite this, whenever I pray for lost things, I can never really be sure that my prayers may be answered because God has never promised in the Bible that He will answer every prayer for lost things.

There are also times that my prayers are not answered. My son lost the house key and I prayed for it to be found but my prayers were not answered. Anyway, the lock has been changed recently and the lost key is not unusable.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:25-34 KJV)

Recipe For Success

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:3 ESV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

The zip of my bag came off on Friday and I tried in vain to fix it. Then I remember my wife had said to me that our daughter has very good fingers and can fix things. So I told her about the zip and ask her to fix it. I added, "Pray before you fix it." In the end, she did not have the time. So I thought to myself, why don't I pray and do it. And I prayed, put the zip into the original position before it came off, pushed it and it went in. Then I told my daughter that I have prayed and fixed it.

So I told her that this is the recipe for success:

1. First pray.
2. Then do.
3. And then tell your daughter.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

More Than We Ask

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)

This morning, Dr Tan Kian Lee preached that a Christian's greatest tragedy is not unanswered prayers, but unasked prayers. God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. He is not limited by us.

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. (Psalm 81:10 ESV)

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 ESV)

Moses and Samuel

Then the LORD said to me, "Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before me, my compassions would not reach out to these people. Send them from my presence, and let them go. (Jeremiah 15:1 CSB)

Moses and Samuel interceded for Israel.

Therefore He said that He would destroy them, If Moses, His chosen one, had not stood in the gap before Him, To turn away His wrath from destroying them. (Psalm 106:23 NASB)

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. (1 Samuel 12:23 NIV)

Noah, Daniel, and Job

Even if these three men - Noah, Daniel, and Job - were in it, they would rescue only themselves by their righteousness." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 14:14 CSB)

What do these three men had in common? They prayed. In a world that ignored God, Noah prayed to God. Daniel prayed three times a day facing Jerusalem. Job prayed continually for his children.

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. (Genesis 8:20 NIV)

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. (Daniel 6:10 NLT)

When these celebrations ended - sometimes after several days - Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice. (Job 1:5 NLT)

Mandatory Fasting In The Bible

"Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict (וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם) yourselves and present a food offering to the LORD. (Leviticus 23:27 ESV)

Ramadan is coming again! The Muslims will be fasting for the whole month of Ramadan. Is there mandatory fasting in the Bible? Yes, there is mandatory fasting in the Torah for the Israelites on the Day of Atonement and it lasts one day. Actually it did not specify fasting, rather it is to afflict oneself. But Jews have used fasting to afflict themselves. For Christians, fasting is voluntary. Our God does not give us a heavy burden.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3 ESV)

Knowing God Through Obedience

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11 NIV)

Many seek God's will when they come to crossroads of life. Whom shall I marry? Which course should I take in school? Where should I stay? What job should I take? But most of the time, there will be no direct answer in the Bible for these questions.

It is good to know God's will in our life. You will know God's will if you know God. The best way to know God is to obey His explicit will given in the Bible. When you find that God's commandments in the Bible is true, you will know Him and increase your faith in Him. You will become convinced that God has your best interest at heart. Your worldview will change and you will seek to please God.

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 ESV)

Pray For Salvation of Souls

Pray
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38 ESV)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)

Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. (Romans 10:1 NLT)

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. (Colossians 4:3 NIV)

Because
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10 ESV,NIV)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)

To
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' (Acts 26:17-18 NIV)

Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (2 Timothy 2:26 NLT)

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV)

Resolutions For 2020

I will continue the resolutions I made last year, three of which was based on Rev Stephen Schaefer's advice and the fourth was added in the middle of last year.

1. Every day I will pray that what ever I do, I will do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
2. I will pray to be filled with the Spirit so that I have no room for other things (Ephesians 5:18).
3. I will pray that I may walk in the Spirit, so as not to fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
4. I will also pray to speak gracious words of comfort like a priest (Colossians 4:6).

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18 ESV)
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 KJV)
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6 ESV)

New Year Resolutions 2019 - To Resume Again

A sad reminder of my sinful nature as a fallen sinner, I had once again not fulfil my 2019 resolution made at the beginning of the year to pray the following (as advised by Rev Stephen Schaefer, revised and revived by me on 30-June-2019) daily:

1. Be filled with the Spirit and have room for nothing else (Ephesians 5:18);
2. Walk in the Spirit and not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16);
3. Speak gracious words to glorify God (Colossians 4:6);
4. Glorify God in all I do (1 Corinthians 10:31).

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18 ESV)
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 KJV)
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6 ESV)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

Additionally I would also like to bring to my remembrance the three requests I made in 1979, for the perseverance of Jacob, the heart of David and the power of Elijah.

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. (Genesis 32:28 KJV)
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22 KJV)
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (James 5:17 KJV)

New Year Resolutions 2019 - Renewal

Even before the half year mark, I forgot my new year resolutions for 2019. So now I am renewing it again:

First, as advised by Rev Stephen Schaefer, I am going to pray daily (and whenever I can) to be filled with the Spirit so that I have no room for other things (Ephesians 5:18).

Next, I am going to pray that what ever I do, I will do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Thirdly, I pray that my tongue will speak gracious words that will glorify God. Again like what Rev Stephen Schaefer had preached, we are little Christs (i.e. anointed ones, kings, prophets and priests), so we have to speak gracious words of comfort like a priest (Colossians 4:6).

And I add this final one for the second half of the year, that I may walk in the Spirit, so as not to fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

God is faithful and I do not depend on myself, but on Him who will bring to my remembrance all my resolutions and cause me to continue in it and also to answer my prayer. See, He is already doing this, sending me reminders to start my second half aright!

Summary:

1. Fill with the Spirit;
2. Walk in the Spirit;
3. Speak gracious words to glorify God;
4. Glorify God in all I do.

Is There Mandatory Fasting In The Bible?

It's Ramadan! The Muslims are fasting. What does the Bible say about fasting? Here is a quote taken from "What Does the Bible Say About Fasting? | Truth Or Tradition?"

QUOTE
The Day of Atonement was a day for people to "afflict your souls" (Lev. 16:29, 31 KJV), which other versions translate as "deny yourselves" (NIV), or "humble your souls" (NASB). The Hebrew word that the KJV translates "afflict" in Leviticus 16:29 and 31 means to "humble, overpower, subdue, oppress, or weaken," depending on the context. The same Hebrew phrase occurs in the context of a woman making a vow to afflict her soul, which could be any vow she made that involved self-denial (Num. 30:13). Although over time the Day of Atonement became a day of fasting, God never specifically said people were to go without eating. Instead, people were to deny themselves, which different people would do in different ways.
UNQUOTE

Additional information on וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם in "leviticus - What does it means to "afflict your souls" as in Lev. 16? - Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange" quoted below:

QUOTE
The Hebrew text וְעִנִּיתֶם אֶת נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם (alternatively תְּעַנּוּ אֶת נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם) literally says "and ye shall afflict your souls," and it appears in two separate sections in Leviticus as well as once in Numbers. This text has always been understood to mean afflict your body through fasting. That being said, there is also a spiritual component to Yom Kippur in additional to the physical fast itself. A fairly substantial amount of data from Tanach supports this assertion. A good example is Isaiah 58:3 which reads:
לָמָּה צַּמְנוּ וְלֹא רָאִיתָ עִנִּינוּ נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְלֹא תֵדָע הֵן בְּיוֹם צֹמְכֶם תִּמְצְאוּ חֵפֶץ וְכָל עַצְּבֵיכֶם תִּנְגֹּשׂוּ:
Why have we fasted but You (G-d) have not seen; we have afflicted our souls but You do not know? Behold, on the day of your fast you pursue business, and [from] all your debtors you exact [payment].
In this example, the verb צמנ (fast) is clearly being equated with ענה (afflict).
Furthermore, the Hebrew word נֶפֶשׁ, in addition to meaning "soul," also has a physical meaning related to the human body. Psalms 107:9 is a good example of this:
כִּי הִשְׂבִּיעַ נֶפֶשׁ שׁוֹקֵקָה וְנֶפֶשׁ רְעֵבָה מִלֵּא טוֹב:
For He (G-d) has sated a longing soul, and filled a hungry soul with good.
Above we can see that the dual spiritual/physical meanings of נֶפֶשׁ are being used in the very same verse. So afflicting your soul on Yom Kippur means physically fasting, and being spiritually affected by that fast as well.
Here is an excellent article which discusses this topic in more detail.
UNQUOTE

וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם
"The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny (וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם) yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. (Leviticus 23:27 NIV)
"This is to be a permanent statute for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month you are to practice self-denial (וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם) and do no work, both the native and the alien who resides among you. (Leviticus 16:29 CSB)
It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict (וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם) yourselves. On the ninth day of the month beginning at evening, from evening to evening shall you keep your Sabbath." (Leviticus 23:32 ESV)

Saying Grace Before Food

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

We are supposed to give thanks for the food before every meal. The prayer formula usually goes something like this, "Lord, thank you for the food that you have given us, thank you for the hands that prepared the food and bless it to our body, in Jesus' name we pray, amen."

I give thanks for the food, especially when I realized that I like the food I eat most of the time. I thank God that I am able to enjoy my food. I am glad that I have food, and that I am able to eat. For those rare occasions that I don't like my food, I remember that there are many who will appreciate what I have because they may not have enough to eat.

When I am eating at home, my thanks for the hands that prepared the food are genuine. But when I am eating out, I may have said it as part of a formula I remembered.

Blessing the food to our body is also my genuine request. Since I am not particularly fastidious about what I eat, I need my Lord's help to ensure that the many harmful stuff I eat is taken care of.