“Day 1: Getting Started
What is fasting? Since there are so many misconceptions about it, I first want to clarify what fasting—biblical fasting—is not. Fasting is not merely going without food for a period of time. That is starving—maybe even dieting—but fasting it is not. Nor is fasting something done only by a bunch of fanatics. I really want to drive that point home. Fasting is not to be done only by religious monks alone in a cave somewhere. The practice of fasting is not limited to ministers or to special occasions.”
“Stated simply, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Fasting has always been a normal part of a relationship with God. As expressed by the impassioned plea of David in Psalm 42, fasting brings one into a deeper, more intimate, and more powerful relationship with the Lord.”
“When you eliminate food from your diet for a number of days, your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God. As David stated, “Deep calls unto deep” (Ps. 42:7). David was fasting. His hunger and thirst for God were greater than his natural desire for food. As a result, he reached a place where he could cry out from the depths of his spirit to the depths of God, even in the midst of his trial. Once you’ve experienced even a glimpse of that kind of intimacy with our God—our Father, the holy Creator of the universe—and the countless rewards and blessings that follow, your whole perspective will change. You will soon realize that fasting is a secret source of power that is overlooked by many.”
“A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
—Ecclesiastes 4:12”
“During the years that Jesus walked this earth, He devoted time to teaching His disciples the principles of the kingdom of God, principles that conflict with those of this world. In the Beatitudes, specifically in Matthew 6, Jesus provided the pattern by which each of us is to live as a child of God. That pattern addressed three specific duties of a Christian: giving, praying, and fasting. Jesus said, “ When you give…” and “ When you pray…” and “ When you fast.” He made it clear that fasting, like giving and praying, was a normal part of Christian life. As much attention should be given to fasting as is given to giving and to praying.”
“Fasting brings you into a deeper, more intimate, and more powerful relationship with the Lord. When you eliminate food from your diet for a number of days, your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to things of God. You are on your way!”
“When God has placed a dream inside you that only He can make possible, you need to fast and pray. Good or bad, what’s in you will come out only when you fast and pray.”
“On your first day of fasting, remember:
Pray and stay in God’s Word.
Drink lots of water.
Expect headaches; hunger pangs; and cravings for food, sugar, and caffeine.
Play praise and worship music as much as possible.
Thoughts for your journal:
(Write your thoughts in a separate journal.)”
• “What are your own personal reasons for fasting?
• Do you desire sensitivity to the things of God?
Prayer Focus Day 1: Salvation of Souls”
“There is no greater burden for which to seek the Lord than the salvation of souls. If you have unsaved friends and family—and we all do—they need to hear of God’s love for them, but they also need to understand that there is a very real, very dark, very horrific place for those who do not accept Jesus. The Lord spoke more of hell than He did of heaven. So, as you begin this fast, let your focus be the souls of those close to you who need salvation. Do not be discouraged but persistent. Keep praying! “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:3, NIV ).”
“My spiritual “hit list”
(Write your list in a separate journal.)
List the names of unsaved family members and friends to target in prayer during this fast.
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
—2 CORINTHIANS 6:2, NIV”
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