I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I see the need to bring it up again, fasting is so important. When you are struggling to discern the truth, fast. If you can’t tell how you should feel about something, fast. When you are feeling angry, bitter, confused or defeated, fast. When it’s hard to hear God because of all the noise, fast.
Take yourself to a quiet place and give Him the opportunity to enlighten your heart. Fasting makes a great space for this to happen. It clears out all the distraction, and helps you focus on the One.
Some practical parts of fasting include, setting a definite start and finish time (while still leaving room for God to change it if He chooses). Also, be specific about what you are fasting from and why you are doing it. Write out your reasons so you can have an account of answers during this time.
You may be wondering why I’m being so practical and asking, “How is this a devo?”.
Well, I want to provoke you to consider doing some things you’ve never done before and fasting is one of those. I don’t, however, want to present you with the idea without giving you the “how’s”. So here we are, and here I am giving you the tools to try out what I’m mentioning.
Fasting connects us to the heart of the Father by extinguishing the noise. Once you try it, you’ll understand just how wonderful it is. Finding different ways to connect with the Father is always a good idea.
Here is some of what scripture has to say about fasting:
I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions…so we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra 8:21-23
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: To loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrite do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash you face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18
Prayer Moment: I encourage you to take some time today to ask God about whether or not a fast is something He would like you to explore. It’s so good to have constant dialogue with Him, to bring Him into all facets of your life and give Him permission to guide and direct your path. All I am hoping is that you’ll take time to have this conversation.
365 Days in the Presence 