Recently I began reading a book by Jentezen Franklin called Fasting. The book has been challenging and encouraging at the same time because fasting has been an area where at times I was in a rut and at others times seemed to have very little spiritual impact in my life. So, as is my tendency, I let it slide if it wasn’t “working” for me.
One of my goals this year is to read about fasting, grow in my understanding and fast with purpose. And, that’s what I did recently. There’s a very dear friend in my life that needs a spiritual breakthrough. They need God to do something significant. And today that happened – after I fasted just one time. Honestly, I had a renewed purpose to fast before this ever happened, but it amazes me how God steps in and proves Himself over and over in my life.
At church I was talking to a friend and asked about his battle with cancer. Marc told me that he is going in for a scan on January 30. Instead of just saying that I was going to pray for him (and possibly forgetting), I said that I was going to fast for him and put it on my calendar. Now, I know that we are not supposed to make it a public thing, but I am going all out radical on this (as well as a few other areas in my life).
Personally, I believe that this is going to be the greatest year spiritually that I have ever experienced. Wow – what is God going to do next?
Since you’ve made it public, let us know when it is and we’ll hold you accountable!
I’ll hold you accountable by bringing you a dozen jelly donuts, putting them on your desk, and telling you that I’ll pick them up at the end of the day. That’s what I call suffering for the cause!
All jokes aside, I think it’s great that you’re being open with it. I would daresay that fasting is likely the most ignored spiritual discipline, and I think that it’s because we keep it so private. I don’t think that it needs to broadcast, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with some accountability. Whole groups of people fasted together throughout the Bible, so they must not have kept it too terribly private. Let me know what you think of the book that you’re reading. It may be one that I’d like to put on my list.
I don’t see a problem talking about fasting in this context. I remember the sermon a long time ago about Pastor talking about not making a spectacle of yourself while you are doing it for attention but that certainly doesn’t apply here.
The whole thing about the jelly donuts is just wrong! hahaha
It is really quite interesting the impact food has on us. All the way back to the garden of Eden what was it that the devil tempted Eve with? Food!
I have not figured out the fasting thing yet, I think mostly because it is not something that is logical, but more spiritual.