The month of January called for church-wide fasting and prayer. For 21 days we all gathered together in a fast, giving up foods that we love to eat on a daily basis. In turn we replaced foods that we love with more time engaging with God, through reading his word and deeper prayer.
Each person partook in a different kind of fast. We sought the Lord and examined how we should fast and for 21 days we gave up some or all food in efforts to draw closer to him. Even though each person's fast was different the outcome of the fast was the same; we all were seeking to hear from God in a fresh new way.
Fasting may seem trivial to a lot of people. Some people may not understand how denying food from your body helps to bring you closer to God. Fasting helps you draw closer to God in so many ways. Here is how I drew closer to him over the 21 day fast.
1. Self denial: fasting is a great way to practice self denial. If you are struggling with any temptation I would suggest fasting for some lengthy period of time. When you fast you are learning to submit to God and deny your flesh. Each time I've done any fast I've always learned that through God's help I can overcome anything. You can too.
2. Closer relationship: the time I didn't spend eating was time I spent reading and studying the word and praying to God. My prayers became more intentional during the 21 days and I learned so much more about God. Just like in any relationship, the key to making that relationship work is through communication. When you communicate with your family, spouse, or friends, you begin to understand them better and barriers that may have effected growth slowly begin to be removed. It's the same way with God. Fasting helped me be more intentional with getting to know him. It allowed me to carve out intentional daily time with him, allowing for deeper growth in my relationship with him.
3. Deeper understanding of the word: throughout the 21 day fast, I read through the books of Genesis-Deuteronomy. As I read the word more closely, I begin to find new life in stories and new revelation in scriptures that I've heard before. God begin to open my eyes to things he wanted me to see in his word. This came through more focused efforts on reading the word of God each morning. The word became a great distraction to my hunger pangs and as I got lost in the word, I began to feel less and less hungry.
Fasting is a biblical concept. It's a great way to draw closer to God when you are looking for answers that only he can provide. If you missed out on the January fast, don't worry. Fasting can happen anyday and anytime. I would love to hear how fasting has helped to change you.
Sincerely,
A girl on fire
Each person partook in a different kind of fast. We sought the Lord and examined how we should fast and for 21 days we gave up some or all food in efforts to draw closer to him. Even though each person's fast was different the outcome of the fast was the same; we all were seeking to hear from God in a fresh new way.
Fasting may seem trivial to a lot of people. Some people may not understand how denying food from your body helps to bring you closer to God. Fasting helps you draw closer to God in so many ways. Here is how I drew closer to him over the 21 day fast.
1. Self denial: fasting is a great way to practice self denial. If you are struggling with any temptation I would suggest fasting for some lengthy period of time. When you fast you are learning to submit to God and deny your flesh. Each time I've done any fast I've always learned that through God's help I can overcome anything. You can too.
2. Closer relationship: the time I didn't spend eating was time I spent reading and studying the word and praying to God. My prayers became more intentional during the 21 days and I learned so much more about God. Just like in any relationship, the key to making that relationship work is through communication. When you communicate with your family, spouse, or friends, you begin to understand them better and barriers that may have effected growth slowly begin to be removed. It's the same way with God. Fasting helped me be more intentional with getting to know him. It allowed me to carve out intentional daily time with him, allowing for deeper growth in my relationship with him.
3. Deeper understanding of the word: throughout the 21 day fast, I read through the books of Genesis-Deuteronomy. As I read the word more closely, I begin to find new life in stories and new revelation in scriptures that I've heard before. God begin to open my eyes to things he wanted me to see in his word. This came through more focused efforts on reading the word of God each morning. The word became a great distraction to my hunger pangs and as I got lost in the word, I began to feel less and less hungry.
Fasting is a biblical concept. It's a great way to draw closer to God when you are looking for answers that only he can provide. If you missed out on the January fast, don't worry. Fasting can happen anyday and anytime. I would love to hear how fasting has helped to change you.
Sincerely,
A girl on fire