Fasting

This year our church, along with many other churches across the world, is participating in 21 Days of Fasting.  We do this every year in January.  Throughout the year, we reap the benefits of the first of the year fast. 

Recently my husband taught on fasting during our mid-week Bible Study.  I wanted to share with you his teaching on this subject.

What is fasting?

•      Voluntarily refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.

•      Biblical fasting is also accompanied by extended times of prayer and seeking God.

•      Fasting also includes:

–     Medical fast.

–     Digestive cleansing fast

                  –     Diet fast

What are some of the reasons to fast?

•      To crucify the flesh

•      To seek God and draw close to Him.  Personal revival.

•      The need for guidance

•      The need of a breakthrough

•      Preparation for ministry

Biblical examples of fasting:

1.    Cornelius:  Acts 10:30-33 So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,  (31)  and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.  (32)  Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'  (33)  So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."

2.    Commissioning for Ministry: Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

3.    Direction/Guidance:  Nehemiah 1:4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.  2 Chronicles 20:3-4 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  (4)  So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.  Ezra 8:21; Esther 4:16

4.    Renewal/Revival:  Joel 1:14 Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.  Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly.

Fasting is definitely not easy and it is not supposed to be.  Fasting is crucifying our flesh so that we can better hear the voice of God.  Fasting is getting us lined up with God.  A friend of mine is fasting because she needs direction and guidance in her life.  She is believing that through this fast, God will specifically speak to her about certain things in her life.   

During this fast, may my flesh be crucified so that I can hear what the Spirit is speaking to me, may I get the heart of God and may I better walk in the power of God during 2011.

What are your “Steps of Faith” for fasting this year?

Blessings,