Fasting

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Exodus 34:28     So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights.  He neither ate bread nor drank water.  And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments

Ezra 8:21-23     Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.  For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek Him, and the power of His wrath is against all who forsake Him.

Nehemiah 1:3-4     And they said to me, “The remnant there is the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame.  The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”  As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Esther 4:15-16     Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.  I and my young women will also fast as you do.  Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”  

Psalm 69:10     When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach

Isaiah 58:6-7     “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Daniel 9:3-5     Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and pleas for the mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.  I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O LORD, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.

Daniel 10:2, 3     In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks.  I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.

Joel 2:12-13     “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”  Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.    

Matthew 6:17-18     But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.          

Acts 14:23     And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the LORD in whom they had believed.

 

I love food, almost any food you can come up with—almost.  I am not a person who eats at 7, noon, and between 5-6.  I like being up for several hours and then prepare breakfast between 9:30 and 10 AM, and may be will do ‘suplunch’ 4-5:30.  I can be enticed to add another meal if going out or whatever.  My point is, I rarely miss an opportunity to eat, but generally do not follow a schedule.

But recently, I have been thinking about fasting. 

There were a couple of gals I worked with at my last church and they decided to do a fast.  In part it was to lose weight, in part to challenge themselves, and in part to see if some of their prayers would be answered.  Both felt they did enjoy a closer, more enriched walk with God after completing their fast, and one met a wonderful man—a minister in a church in eastern NC, whom she married within four months; and they are still madly in love.

Anyway, I read different devotions and topics within the Bible app each year: Tauren Wells, Priscilla Shirer, Craig Groeschel and many others.  But somehow, I chose Fasting as my extra subject this time, and must admit, I am a bit excited about it.  I want a deeper relationship with God.  I realize I am probably growing in Him, but it does not always feel like that—and I want to FEEL it. 

One of the 5-day app versions about fasting, 5 Days to Victorious Fasting by Jamie Rohrbach talks about preparation, having legitimate prayers regarding your time with God—not trying to manipulate for something you want.  You may be praying and trying to seek God’s guidance through fasting on a relationship that needs improving, a child who is making continual poor choices and what to do, should you take a new job, move to a different area, and so forth are legitimate things to ask God while fasting.   But the true, spiritual goal of fasting is to bring you closer to God, the realization you need Him in everything–everything!

I have read, thought about and prayed over this for a week or so, and will continue to learn more.  Certainly at this point, I am not prepared enough to jump into a 40 day fast, but I am considering a 24-72 hour fast.  I don’t know if even that is perhaps too lofty.  (Have I mentioned I love food?)  Everything from God is a gift; to offer Him a true sacrifice, something my selfish, carnal being loves, for a closer walk with Him, I think will please Him.  I know He wants the closeness–but it is my actions that will bring that about as it shows I am serious, just not mouthing, but heartfelt following through.  Fasting and spending more time just seeking Him, thanking Him and reminding Him I want to walk closer with Him.   Since He created me He is well aware of my selfish, self-centered being and my love of foods, therefore, He recognizes the heartfelt desire to know Him more deeply and the sacrifice of foods, a certain meal or many meals over a certain amount of time.  He knows it and will help me find the directions and answers I am yearning for. 

And with all He has blessed me with over the years, He certainly deserves me sacrificing for Him, a day of not eating.  For now, I am working on eliminating bakery products and chocolate, and wine.  But I know I want to do and feel more, feel deeper.   From the reading I have done, you cannot just jump into a lofty goal and master this.  You are encouraged to drink water—and if attainable to get distilled as both tap and bottled waters have things that can make you feel unwell—chlorine in water makes one author have terrible headaches.  Tap water is the worst as you can be taking in various viruses and/or bacteria that you are easier able to combat when you are eating, but with no solid sustenance, then you can feel nauseous, weaker, and may even have other more significant GI upsets.

One of the articles also mentioned decreasing your food intake for 2-3 days before the actual fast so your stomach is more familiar with dealing with a lessened intake.  And I do not like to miss out on any pleasures; and my mouth and stomach enjoy several.  So for now, I am preparing, and within a few days will be starting, and so looking forward to delving into a deeper relationship with Him.  He is beyond worthy of me missing a couple of meals.  Perhaps, I will start with a goal of 24 hour, and if not suffering and “hangry” will proceed to 36 and gauge from there if I can go on.  I certainly do not want to get discouraged and say “I never want to do that again.”  And my spoiled disposition might very well spout that comment—and mean it– at least for the time! 

I will have my list of prayers and things I am seeking His guidance with and knowing “all things are possible with Him who strengthens me” will begin a journey I have never attempted before.

I did try fasting—for dieting; not to deepen my relationship with my Creator.  For sure, my reasons were all based in selfishness—probably a bit of Pharisee-ish…  But my motives and desires and goals are much different this time.  My God has abundantly blessed me throughout my life.  And I want a deeper relationship with Him, and also want to honor Him with a heartfelt sacrifice, and fasting is a means to do that.

Lord, I thank You I stumbled across these devotional apps on this subject.  You always guide me and ‘mybellaviews.’