Daily, from 09/11/2023 to 10/20/2023, 12:00 AM
But seek first the kingdom of God[a] and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. - Matthew 6:33
Fasting is the spiritual discipline of intentionally going without something for a time to focus on your relationship with your Heavenly Father. We would like to set out on a journey of 40 days of prayer and fasting as we seek God together.
IDEAS FOR FASTING
Fast from Food
Fast from Music
Fast from TV/Movies
Fast from YouTube
Fast from Social Media
Fast from Spending Money
Fast from Alcohol
Fast from Podcasts
Fast from Radio
Fast from Sugar
Fast from Video Games
If you choose to abstain from one of these during your fast, do so in a way that clearly replaces those items with prayer and demonstrates that you are sacrificing one thing for something that is better.
HOW TO BEGIN YOUR FAST
STEP 1: Set your objective
Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and intentionally during our 40 days.
STEP 2: Make your commitment
Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18). For Jesus, it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it.
STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually
Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6). Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13). Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).
STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically (if you are fasting from food)
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult a physician as needed, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic illness. Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer. Remember: Don’t rush into your fast, eat smaller meals before starting a fast, avoid high-fat and sugary foods, eat raw fruits and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.
Here are five principles of prayer that we find in scripture:
- Pray by Faith Oh, Lord God! You yourself made the heavens and the earth by your great power and with your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you! --Jeremiah 32:17 (CSB)
- Pray Big Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. --Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) 9
- Pray for Others Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. --Galatians 6:2 (CSB)
- Do Not Worry Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6-7 (CSB)
- Pray With Passion During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” --Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)
“Simply put, prayer is communicating with God. Real prayer is expressing our devotion to our Heavenly Father, inviting Him to talk to us as we talk to Him.” -Bill Bright
Here are some practical definitions of fasting from Real Life Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Take a moment to reflect on each of these. Choose one of these definitions that is most meaningful and motivating for you to reflect on during the next six weeks.
- Fasting is turning my attention from the pleasures of this world so that I might more fully focus my attention on Christ and find my greatest pleasure in him.
- Fasting is sacrificing something I value to pursue something God values for and/or through me.
- Fasting is denying myself what I desire as a way of putting my desire for God first.
- Fasting is setting aside less important things to seek the most important.
- Fasting is the discipline of putting God’s eternal purposes before my temporal desires.
- Fasting is reserving the time, energy, and resources normally given to an activity to pursue God and his will.
- Fasting is disconnecting with the world so I can make a deeper connection with God.