Introduction

What is Fasting

Fasting is an opportunity to refocus our mind on the Lord and rely on Him. To do so, we must make sure we are open to what the Lord has to say.

There are times we pause to reflect on the strength of our faith in God. It can be when a major life change occurs, at a significant event or the start of a new year. Some are led to fast after reflecting and self-evaluation. Some fast for dietary reasons and others to refocus. But for many, it is a desire for a personal revival in their walks with God. Bill Bright talks about this call to a more intimate relationship with Jesus.

Our Lord modeled fasting at the start of His public ministry. He went out into the wilderness for 40 days to fast and pray. The practice of fasting increases awareness of our need for God to revive our hearts. He desires humility, and the denial of food can bring that desired effect. A Biblical fast also involves increased time in God’s Word. With the Holy Spirit’s help, a fast can be a life-changing event. The length of our fast is not important. What does matter is entering a fast with an openness to hearing what God has to say.

Application

Have you fasted before? If so, what has been your attitude when beginning your fast?

Are you listening or opening your heart to what God has to say during your fast? Take a moment and reflect.

2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Isaiah 57:15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.

I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

How to Fast

Most people go without food during a diet or when they’re too busy to eat, but this isn’t biblical fasting. So what is biblical fasting? Our sincerity and attitude play important roles in biblical fasting.

Before beginning, ask yourself three questions:

1. Am I confident that my desire to fast is God-given?

2. What are my spiritual motivations or goals for this fast?

3. Am I harboring any desire to impress others?

When you are satisfied you have Godly motives, you’re ready to begin.

How to use this Guide

- Each day you’ll be given Scripture to read and meditate on.

- After reading, work through the SOAP journal guide to bring what you read into your mind and heart.

- Then, you’ll have a short devotional thought that will bring our attention to our prayer topic for that day.

- After reading the devotional, pray the truth of our Scripture from the day over our prayer topic, bringing God’s Word to bear on the subject(s) of our prayer and fasting.