Assumed Practice

Fasting is not an option but an assumed practice for the serious-minded follower of Jesus. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that believers throughout history incorporated into their daily lives. Jesus did not say, “If you fast,” but, “When you fast.”

Scripture reading: Matthew 6

Key Passage:

Matthew 6:16-18 – “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men 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 your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Fasting Thought:

“Jesus takes it for granted that his disciples will observe the pious custom of fasting. Strict exercise of self-control is an essential feature of the Christian’s life. Such customs have only one purpose – to make disciples more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things which God would have done.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

PRAYER:

Father in heaven, as I subdue the impulses of the flesh this day, I do so not to achieve anything, not to use fasting as a bargaining chip or as a manipulative ploy to get your attention. But I fast as an act of worship, to make myself ready and resolute to do your will with a cheerful heart. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Take a few moments to journal what God has taught you today.

Under Moses

The Israelites witnessed God’s mighty power when they were “trapped” at the Red Sea. The Israelites needed a way out of their seemingly impossible situation, and God provided them with what they needed. Once again, God came through and delivered them. They celebrated and honored God when they arrived on the other side of the Red Sea by singing and dancing with a song in their hearts, and tambourines in their hands.

Key Passage: Exodus 15:1-21

Fasting Thought:

Celebration is a time of joy, a time of singing, and a time of dancing. Celebrations are held when good times are upon us, and good things are being done. What a celebration it must have been when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea! Can you imagine the joy they had when they realized that they were free of the oppression that they had been under for over four hundred years and that now they were free to serve, honor, and celebrate their God? Surely their Spirits were revived!

PRAYER:

Lord God, we pray that you continue to place singing in our hearts and dancing in our feet as we praise you for all the wonderful things that you have done; for all the wonderful things that you are doing; and for all the wonderful things that you will do in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Confession:

Remember to accompany your fast with confession of sin. Confess your sin, your spiritual weaknesses, your lack of dependence on God; through this we can experience the cleansing forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 1-2

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 7:6 – “So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, ‘We have sinned against the Lord.’”

Fasting Thought:

“Confession recognizes the absence of God’s presence in our lives through our own willfulness or indifference. Fasting is an act of craving more of God’s presence, power and purity in our lives and ministry. Confession is admitting there is something wrong between us and God. Fasting is longing for the fullness of God to flood our souls. When we practice confession in our fasting, our fasting becomes more than a tool to bring God back to us; it becomes an instrument moving us back to God because God never moves.” Gary Rohrmayer

PRAYER:

Father in heaven, show me through this fast those areas of spiritual weakness and self-reliance in my life so that I may confess them and receive your healing, cleansing and purifying forgiveness. Father, I want to experience a new level of spiritual refreshment and strength that can come only through you. In the strong name of Jesus Christ our Lord I pray. Amen.

Take a few moments to journal what God has taught you today.

Discerning

Fasting is a tool that aids in discerning the call of God in our lives. Fasting helps us slow down and hear God’s voice.

Scripture Reading: Acts 9

Key Passage:Acts 9:3-6, 9 – “Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’” “For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

Fasting Thought:

“A discerning fast involves focusing on our choices instead of on our foods and praying our decisions through to successful conclusions. This type of fast helps us receive God’s wisdom to make our decisions. This type of fast is not for every minor decision in life such as where to go for lunch or what minor purchase to make. A discerning fast offers help in weighty decisions such as choosing a mate, resigning from a job and other life-changing choices. Fasting brings more light into the application of good decision-making skills.” Elmer Towns

PRAYER:

Father in heaven, today in my fast I yield to you and seek your wisdom in my life. Through this fast today grant me a greater perspective of those decisions before me, both minor and major. I want your best in my life. Protect me from being impulsive and rash and guide me in your perfect ways. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Taka a few moments to journal what God has taught you today.

Thirsts

Let your thirsts drive you to God that he may satisfy your desires and meet the needs of your soul.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 63

Key Passages:

Psalm 63:1 – “O God, you are my God, I seek you. My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Fasting Thought:

“Prayer needs fasting for its full growth. Prayer is the one hand with which we grasp the invisible. Fasting is on the other hand, the one with which we let go of the visible…Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves, to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” Andrew Murray

PRAYER:

Father in heaven, I reach out to you, the only one who can satisfy my thirsty heart and meet the needs within my soul. Through this fast may I crave you and your kingdom more and more. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Take a few moments to journal what God has taught you today.

Cheerfulness

In fasting it is virtuous to conceal our suffering and discomfort with cheerfulness.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6

Key Passages:

Matthew 6:16-18 – “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Fasting Thought:

“Let us learn from our Lord’s instruction about fasting, the great importance of cheerfulness in our religion. Those words ‘anoint thy head and wash thy face’ are full of deep meaning. They should teach us to aim at letting men see we find that Christianity makes us happy. Never let us forget that there is no religion in looking melancholy and gloomy. Are we dissatisfied with Christ’s wages and Christ’s service? Surely not! Then let us not look as if we were.” J. C. Ryle

PRAYER:

Father in heaven, let me finish this fast with joy and cheerfulness as I feed on your beauty, truth, and goodness. May every growl of my stomach, every internal complaint and headache be turned into moments of dependence on you and delight in every spiritual blessing I have in Christ. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Take a few moments to journal what God has taught you today.

Sacrifice

Are you tired of fasting? Fasting is a sacrificial act that realigns our affections, moving them from the temporal to the eternal. It turns each moment of craving into a prayer of intense dependence.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 109

Key Passage:

Psalm 109:24 – “My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt.”

Fasting Thought:

“If religion requires us to sometimes fast and deny our natural appetites, it is to lessen that struggle and war that is in our nature; it is to render our bodies fitter instruments of purity, and more obedient to the good motions of divine grace; it is to dry up the springs of our passions that war against the soul, to cool the flame of our blood, and render the mind more capable of divine meditations. So that although these abstinences give some pain to the body, yet they so lessen the power of bodily appetites and passions, and so increase our taste of spiritual joys, that even these severities of religion, when practiced with discretion, add much to the comfortable enjoyment of our lives.” William Law

PRAYER:

Father in heaven, my flesh is tired, my spirit is weakening; grant me the mental focus, spiritual awareness and physical will to push through the quitting points as I seek to realign my desires to your perfect will and your mission and for your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Take a few moments to journal what God has taught you today.

Fasting and God’s Freedom

Fasting is a means of seeing spiritual breakthrough for a physical or emotional problem as well as finding freedom from the besetting sins that affect our relationship with God. Today focus your prayers on those hurts, habits, and hangups you need spiritual healing to overcome.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58

Key Passage: Isaiah 58:6 – “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”

Fasting Thought:

“The Elijah Fast is not a common corrective device to be used for freeing yourself from minor habits. It is called for in severely negative cases of mental and emotional response. It often works because it is a discipline that builds self-discipline and self-esteem. But more important than psychological esteem, the Elijah Fast invites God into the problem. Then, in the strength of God, victory is possible.” Elmer Towns

PRAYER:

Father in heaven, you are the great physician, you are the healer of my soul, you are one who grants victory over my emotional wounds that are the cause of my destructive thinking and debilitating habits. During my fast bring to light those besetting sins that hurt my relationship with you and my effectiveness in your mission. May I experience a new level of freedom and victory as I lean into you this day during my fast. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Take a few moments to journal what God has taught you today.

Under Esther 

Haman, the Agagite, convinced King Ahasuerus to issue a decree against God’s people because of his dislike and jealousy of Mordecai. His plan backfired and the King issued a second decree allowing the Jews to take arms against those who came against them. After their victory, God’s people celebrated and rejoice how God delivered them from Haman’s deadly plot. This was truly a revival for God’s people.

Key Passage: Esther 9:17-22

Fasting Thought:

Sometimes while traveling through our lives, we encounter enemies who wish to do us harm. They are usually persons who are lost or confused on their purpose in life, because surely God has not given them a commandment of hurting or harming their fellow brothers or sisters. When Esther was presented with this type of news, she asked the people to pray, and their prayers were answered. When we pray wholeheartedly, God answers our prayers. When some enemies come against you, only God can remove them, and once removed, its as if a big burden have been lifted from our shoulders and we rejoice, just as the God’s people did when he delivered them from their enemies who wanted to destroy them.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for being our Protector when our enemies were trying to destroy our marriages, our children, our jobs, our relationships, our homes, our sanity, ourselves, our lives, and our faith in you. Thank you for keeping us safe in your arms and close to your heart. In Jesus name. Amen.

Under Jesus 

One day Jesus was traveling from Judea to Galilee and the Bible says that “he had to go through Samaria” (John 4:4). He was tired and he came to Jacob’ well about noon. While he was sitting a Samaritan woman came and he engaged her in conversation. She was amazed because Jews did not normally converse with Samaritans. Jesus, in his conversation, shared “living water” (Good News) with her, and she in turn could not keep this “never being thirsty again,” living water to herself. So, she ran off, leaving her water jug, (symbolic of her leaving her old life behind) and shared the goodness of Jesus (Good News) with everyone she encountered. Her conversion and her sharing of the Good News was indeed a revival in Samaria.

Key Passage: John 4:1-42

Fasting Thought:

Have you ever thought of yourself as an evangelist? An evangelist is: “a person who travels from place to place preaching and sharing the gospel.” When you have a conversation with your co-worker about Christ you are sharing the gospel. When you have a conversation in the grocery store line about Christ, you are sharing the gospel. When you sing to your child, Jesus Loves Me This I Know…, you are sharing the gospel. When you explain to your confused teenager that no matter what they are going through, God has his/her back, you are sharing the gospel. When you share the Word of God with anyone who is thirsty for the “living water,” you are sharing the gospel.

PRAYER:

Lord God, thank you for giving me the opportunities and the ability to share the Good News of the kingdom to everyone who seeks your will and your ways. Please continue to fill my cup daily, so that I can empty it daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Under Peter 

The part of Peter’s sermon in which he quoted the prophet, Joel: “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:17-21). At the end of Peter’s sermon, the people were revived and fellowshipped together.

Key Passage: Acts 2

Fasting Thought:

When you gather with your community of faith–prayer, praise, and proclamation should abound. God declares that he will “pour out his Spirit upon all so that all can receive his gifts. These gifts are to be shared with others, so that everyone can experience the goodness of the Lord. By sharing God’s gifts with others, the community of faith is assured that the Good News of the kingdom is not kept within its walls, but the Good News is going forth throughout all the earth changing lives and providing hope to everyone, including the least, the last, and the lost.

PRAYER:

Lord God, bless us as we gather in your name singing praises, sending up prayers, (for others as well as ourselves), and proclaiming your Word. We give our total selves to you, and we acknowledge your sovereignty. In Jesus’ name. Amen.