One of my 2009 growth goals is to fast more consistently – not out of ritual but out of my relationship with Christ and the biblical mandate. Right now writing about fasting makes me want to eat an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie! Yesterday, I found a book on fasting by Jentzen Franklin entitled Fasting so I Kindled it on America’s greatest reading device. He comes from a different background than me, but his perspective is refreshing. Franklin leads his church to fast for 21 days every January (today I thought that God may be leading me to join them – that had to be Satan). Here’s a quote that struck me from the first chapter…
The three duties of every Christian are giving, prayer, and fasting.
His basic premise is that these Big 3 unleash the power of God in your life. I agree with this and even more so wonder if he is hitting the nail square on the head.
First, I have seen that many people serving in full-time ministry do not tithe on income while living off the tithe. Isn’t it hypocritical to ask church attenders to do what many leaders are not willing to do? With so few church attenders giving, does anyone care about God’s power?
Second, prayer is another place where I am often failing and I know that most of us are not where we need to be. Didn’t Jesus get away often to pray?
Third, fasting is key to God’s power. I completely failed here in 2008 (I didn’t fast enough for a “spiritual purpose” as much as I just skipped meals and stayed busy). How did you do?
Whether you are in ministry or serving as a volunteer in ministry, we need God’s power (and our culture needs the power of God through us). Not sure about you, but 2 of the Big 3 need work in my life. Where do you stand with them?
Fasting doesn’t necessarily mean just from food does it?
Not necessarily, but I would think it’s the most common use in scripture.