It’s one thing to know about God— it’s a different thing to be known by God. Prayer and fasting are powerful ways to prepare to receive His presence, and all that He has planned for your life, as well as grow deeper in your walk with Him as you proclaim, More of you and less of me.
Ask yourself, What am I allowing to come between me and God’s presence? Imagine the blessings He has for you when you prepare your heart and surrender it all to Him.
Join The Gathering as we devote ourselves intentionally to seeking God and His will for our lives during the 21-Day Prayer & Fast journey.
What is Fasting?
Fasting is to voluntarily abstain from eating/drinking for an extended period of time. “Eating” and “drinking” can represent anything that is holding you back. What do you “consume” in terms of social food, intellectual food, spiritual food, and emotional food? Are these things distracting you from your relationship with God?
Are you relying on things that have nothing to do with God to get you through your day? You may not even realize you have an addiction. For example, if you “have to have” coffee every day, and you are not willing to give it up, you are addicted. Maybe your fast needs to just be about coffee. Ask God and He will show you.
Everyone doing a physical fast should consult a physician first. If you have medical issues, consider fasting TV or media. The point is that there is something God wants you to separate yourself from for three weeks so that you can see Him more clearly. Don’t cheat yourself by removing yourself from the fast entirely.
Fasting Goal: A Personal Encounter with the Living God
“He must increase and [we] must decrease.” - John 3:30 “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:16
You may experience many benefits from fasting (cleansing your body, breaking addictions, etc.), but the goal of fasting is to experience God. Right now, your life may be all about you, what you want, and when you want it. Imagine if you separate yourself from your perceived needs (such as food) ...you may see that life is all about Him.
Other examples of biblical fasting:
Special revelation - Exodus 34:27-28
In times of war - Judges 20:26
Courage and wisdom - Esther 4:3,16
In times of grief - Nehemiah 1:4, 2 Samuel 1:12, Samuel 31:13, 1 Chronicles 10:12
Spiritual recuperation - 1 Kings 19:1-9
Mourning - Daniel 10:1-3
Repentance - Jonah 3:5, Daniel 6:18
Ministry preparation - Matthew 4:2
Spiritual power - Mark 9:29
Ministry commissioning - Acts 14:23
Set aside self for holiness - 1 Corinthians 7:5
Spiritual discipline - 1 Corinthians 11:24-28 (Paul “fasted often”)