Fasting

After just coming off of the Daniel Fast, I felt led to write about fasting. In the Bible, we read that fasting was a part of the believer's life as much as praying and giving. The definition of a Biblical fast is abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose. It isn't just giving up food, that would be like any other diet or medical fast. The goal of a Biblical fast is to draw you closer to God. You are saying no to what your flesh craves and submitting it to the Lord. A fast is not to get God to do what YOU want, but instead, draw you to Him and His will for your life, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. Fasting positions us properly before God, positioning our hearts in humility. Fasting is a bowing of our will before God's, that our will would conform to His. When we humble and deprive our bodies through fasting, our spiritual being is made stronger, increasing our sensitivity to the Spirit. It is refraining from food in order to become physically hungry so that you might become aware of your spiritual hunger. I mentioned that I just came off of the Daniel Fast and you may ask what is this? It is a 21-day fast where you only drink water, eat no meat, and eat only fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. It is based on Daniel where he fasted for 21-days and in those 21 days, he "mourned for three weeks. He ate no tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter (his) mouth, nor did (he) use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed." 10:2-3 There are different fasts that you could do, pray and ask God what He would have you do. It may be to give up sugar or sodas, it may be for one day or it may be for 40 days. There is no right or wrong time frame. As you fast, ask God to humble you and get rid of anything in your life that is not pleasing to Him. He will do this. In Isaiah 58, God describes the fast that He has chosen. This fast is to loose the chains of injustice, to undo heavy burdens, set the oppressed free, break every yoke and share with the poor and the hungry. When you do, God promises that your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing will quickly appear, your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard, you shall call and the Lord will answer, your light shall rise in the darkness, the Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs and you will be like a well-watered garden, like a  spring whose waters never fail. I don't know about you, but when I read those words, I get excited! These words are spoken from God and remember, He is not a man that He should lie, His promises are true and they are for you and for me. When you decide to fast, don't enter into it casually, make up your mind mentally and do not base it on your feelings-set your heart to it. Write down how many days and stick to it, don't let anything change your minds. Keep a daily journal of
your fast and what God is doing and your causes for the fast. The divine power of God will meet you at your commitment and give you the power and faith to complete it.