The Fast and The Furious

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” ( 2 Chronicles 20:3)

On this one year anniversary of 911 while the whole world mourn the heroes and victims, we must realize that repentance and fasting can draw us closer to God and that temporary denial can usher in lasting blessings to America and the world. In Biblical times, fasting was as much a part of spiritual life as prayer and giving. Moses, Daniel, David and Hezekiah all fasted. Spiritual feasts were instituted by God when He gave the Torah. While these were feasts of actual food and beverage, they also represented God’s spiritual blessings. God’s Word declares fasting and prayer as a powerful means for causing the fire of God to fall again in a person’s life and his or her nation. As fasting and prayer brings surrender of body, soul, and spirit to God, it also generates a sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It creates joy unspeakable and it also serves to cleanse the body of toxins. In short, fasting brings revival in every area of our lives.

When fasting is mentioned, we tend to think of food. But other forms of fasting are also effective since fasting is a God-ordained form of self-denial. Fasting may include abstaining from such activities as sleep, recreation, TV, sex, spending money on ourselves [but instead sowing to ministries that preach the gospel], alcohol, smoking and other special enjoyments of life. We don’t have to be buff like Vin Diesel to be The Fast and The Furious, and in fact, here are some ways we can pull a fast one:

• Fast occasionally, and spend the mealtime or more in prayer, praise, thanksgiving and Bible meditation.
  
  
• Conduct fasting as a regular part of our spiritual life like two meals a week.
  
  
• Spend the first part of the fast feasting on the Word of God, worshiping, adoring, and praising God. Then concentrate on other items.
  
  
• Be flexible, set a fasting goal that we can fulfill by God’s help.
  
  
• Do not attempt long fasts unless we learn how to do it and how to break the fast. Keep drinking liquids like juices or green tea, for the body needs water.
  
  
• Keep a listening ear for God’s guidance when He calls us to a special fast for ourselves, our family, our business, or our nation.
  
  
• For an extended fast of more than a day check with a doctor. If there are conditions that preclude us from fasting, try a limited Daniel fast – giving up unnecessary snacks, rich foods or sacrifice favorite foods like seafood, ice cream, steak and sushi for a set amount of time.

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