WHY WE FAST.
1. First
and foremost, God must be the absolute centre of our fast. The primary reason
to fast is not to put a petition what we need or want to God. He already knows
what we need and will surely provide it. The main purpose of our fast is to get
ourselves closer to God. Fasting is just as much an act of worship as singing
or dancing.
2. A secondary
purpose for fasting is often to reveal to us the things that control us. We
often cover up things that control us with food and other things, but fasting
brings them to surface. Pride, anger, bitterness, jealousy, strife, fear – if they’re
all within us then fasting will bring them out.
3. Fasting
also provides us with a balance because we can often allow nonessentials to
take control of our lives. We really realize how quickly we crave something
when we are starved of it e.g. food.
There are many
other values to fasting – guidance, increased concentration, deliverance or revelations.
But what is for sure is that we fast to get closer to God. Fasting is an act of
diligently seeking Him to build our bond.
WHAT TO DO DURING MY FAST.
The initial
physical impact of fasting can be quite challenging, the urge to eat seems to
be so much stronger when you’re fasting. But during your time of fast, make God
your focus, your strength, keeping in constant prayer, adoration, praise and worship
will take your mind off hunger and centre your focus upon God. Our bodies are trained
to give out signals for food, ooh boohoo I’m hungry. NO. This is not real hunger,
it is just that your stomach has been trained and spoiled like a little ratty kid
to always want food. But you must not give in. The discomfort will pass soon enough.
You cannot be enslaved by your body. Devote those times that you would normally
eat, the times when you feel the most hungry to worship and prayer.
Obviously,
don’t eat. You can consume water and barley sugars (they’re revolting). Nothing
chunky – no soups. Don’t cheat God. You can however, have cordials or Gatorade
for sugar energy. Stay away from citrus fruit juices or any acidic drinks. Also
soft drinks are not cool during a fast.
More
importantly, we must focus on the spiritual side of fasting. We are, through
fasting, entering the realm of spiritual warfare. You are may be very weak physically
during your fast and it would be an opportune time for Satan to attack you.
Read Ephesians 6, ask god for His full armor so that you can stand firm against
Satan during your fast.
Fasting
can bring about revelations, change, breakthroughs and can give us visions on
what God wants for us. But most importantly we must remain focused on God and
building our relationship with Him.
God bless,
Jon
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door