WHY WE FAST
As you prepare for the next twenty-one days of fasting, it can be tempting to start focusing on what foods you are going to avoid or the logistics of altering your habits for a few weeks. But keep in mind, fasting is about more than just abstaining from certain foods for a specific period of time. Fasting, coupled with prayer, is first and foremost a profoundly spiritual endeavor that seeks to draw us closer to God so that we may hear His voice. Old and New Testament saints from Esther to the Apostle Paul fasted as a way to express their need for God’s guidance and help in their lives (Esther 4:16; 2 Cor. 6:4-10). Jesus himself fasted for forty days as he was being tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-9). The Bible depicts fasting as a way for the saints to express their longing for God to intervene in their often-desperate circumstances. For them, hearing from God was more important than any physical or natural need that they had and so they were willing to humble themselves in this way so that the Holy Spirit could speak and guide their lives.
Given that fasting is born out of a need to hear from God, before you begin your fast, ask yourself why you are fasting. What are you seeking from God? Is it spiritual renewal? Is it guidance for important decisions that need to be made, or wisdom for the resolution of a problem? Is it for healing? Or perhaps it’s for grace to handle certain aspects of your life? Clarifying in your own mind what you are seeking through the fast will help you be more strategic and specific in your prayer time. We encourage you to write down important targets and areas that you are seeking breakthrough for in the space below.
Given that fasting is born out of a need to hear from God, before you begin your fast, ask yourself why you are fasting. What are you seeking from God? Is it spiritual renewal? Is it guidance for important decisions that need to be made, or wisdom for the resolution of a problem? Is it for healing? Or perhaps it’s for grace to handle certain aspects of your life? Clarifying in your own mind what you are seeking through the fast will help you be more strategic and specific in your prayer time. We encourage you to write down important targets and areas that you are seeking breakthrough for in the space below.
