Finding the Power Within You
Spiritual Disciplines 10
Prayer and fasting go together like a hand in a glove on a cold winter's day. The true biblical meaning of fasting means to abstain from food to spend time in intense prayer. In the Old Testament it was done when mourning or grieving. In the New Testament it is done as part of praying when seeking guidance, direction, and extra help.
Every year my husband and I do at least a 21 day Daniel Fast in January. This time that we set apart to seek God is powerful and deeply fulfilling. It sets the course for our year by giving us wisdom and insight into God's plan for us. We also do shorter fasts through out the year as we seek God during the storms of life.
Paul, one of the greatest apostles that ever lived, regularly fasted and prayed. He chose to seek God and His plan more than anything else. His devotion to God kept his heart soft in the Father's hands and allowed himself to be used in extraordinary ways.
It was prayer and fasting that would send angels to set Peter, and John free from jail. Paul and Barnabus got their ministry orders during fasting and prayer.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabus and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 123:2-3 NKJV
Supernatural power is the result of prayer and fasting. Nothing can move the mountains in front of you like fervent heartfelt prayer and fasting (James 5:16). God doesn't require prayer and fasting to move on your behalf but it sure does demonstrate the level of your belief that He can and will do it. See, the Bible says that ALL the promises of God are "yes" and "Amen" (2 Cor. 1:20). God will always move the mountains and do the impossible.
I have an old prayer that I typed out many years ago on pink paper that is taped in the front of my Bible. It reminds me that God hears and answers my every prayer, they just may not be what I expect them to be.
Prayer will always bring to life God's perfect plan but it may not look the way you think it should.
There are three types of fasting: absolute, normal, and partial. You can choose which one works best for you and your situation. There may be times however, that God will ask you to do a specific one. In that case, do what God asks you to do.
An absolute fast is just that. You refuse to eat or drink anything for a specific period of time and then you devote that time to prayer. Paul did an absolute fast after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus until he was baptized by Ananias (Acts 9:9).
A normal fast is also called a water only fast. Here you eat no food at all for a pre-determined amount of time but you do drink water. Jesus did this when He was in the wilderness for forty days (Matthew 4:1-2 and Luke 4:1-2).
The Daniel Fast is the partial fast. Only certain foods are permitted with this fast which consists mostly of water, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Spices can be used but sugars, sweets, and most processed and packaged foods cannot. The name of this type of fasting came from Daniel the young man of God in Nebuchadnezzar court. You can read the whole story of Daniel's favor with God and man in the book of Daniel but the description of fasting is in the first chapter.
Fasting is a private matter. Jesus teaches us that fasting is between us and God (Matthew 6:16-18). We don't need to advertise it, we just need to do it.
While medical conditions make fasting difficult for some people, everyone can skip one meal a day without difficulty. I know this because as a nurse, when I am prepping my patients for a procedure, I have to stop them from eating. In my twenty years of nursing, I have never had a patient have a severe life threatening event because they missed a meal. Having said that though, if you do have a chronic illness, please discuss your fasting intentions with your doctor before skipping more than one meal a day.
Don't waste another day trying to do things on your own. Devote special time to prayer and include fasting. Open up your life to the power of God and stand back in amazement as He shows how great He is.
Live your live on purpose with God first!
Heidirn
Prayer and fasting go together like a hand in a glove on a cold winter's day. The true biblical meaning of fasting means to abstain from food to spend time in intense prayer. In the Old Testament it was done when mourning or grieving. In the New Testament it is done as part of praying when seeking guidance, direction, and extra help.
Every year my husband and I do at least a 21 day Daniel Fast in January. This time that we set apart to seek God is powerful and deeply fulfilling. It sets the course for our year by giving us wisdom and insight into God's plan for us. We also do shorter fasts through out the year as we seek God during the storms of life.
Paul, one of the greatest apostles that ever lived, regularly fasted and prayed. He chose to seek God and His plan more than anything else. His devotion to God kept his heart soft in the Father's hands and allowed himself to be used in extraordinary ways.
It was prayer and fasting that would send angels to set Peter, and John free from jail. Paul and Barnabus got their ministry orders during fasting and prayer.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabus and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 123:2-3 NKJV
Supernatural power is the result of prayer and fasting. Nothing can move the mountains in front of you like fervent heartfelt prayer and fasting (James 5:16). God doesn't require prayer and fasting to move on your behalf but it sure does demonstrate the level of your belief that He can and will do it. See, the Bible says that ALL the promises of God are "yes" and "Amen" (2 Cor. 1:20). God will always move the mountains and do the impossible.
I have an old prayer that I typed out many years ago on pink paper that is taped in the front of my Bible. It reminds me that God hears and answers my every prayer, they just may not be what I expect them to be.
Prayer will always bring to life God's perfect plan but it may not look the way you think it should.
There are three types of fasting: absolute, normal, and partial. You can choose which one works best for you and your situation. There may be times however, that God will ask you to do a specific one. In that case, do what God asks you to do.
An absolute fast is just that. You refuse to eat or drink anything for a specific period of time and then you devote that time to prayer. Paul did an absolute fast after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus until he was baptized by Ananias (Acts 9:9).
A normal fast is also called a water only fast. Here you eat no food at all for a pre-determined amount of time but you do drink water. Jesus did this when He was in the wilderness for forty days (Matthew 4:1-2 and Luke 4:1-2).
The Daniel Fast is the partial fast. Only certain foods are permitted with this fast which consists mostly of water, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Spices can be used but sugars, sweets, and most processed and packaged foods cannot. The name of this type of fasting came from Daniel the young man of God in Nebuchadnezzar court. You can read the whole story of Daniel's favor with God and man in the book of Daniel but the description of fasting is in the first chapter.
Fasting is a private matter. Jesus teaches us that fasting is between us and God (Matthew 6:16-18). We don't need to advertise it, we just need to do it.
While medical conditions make fasting difficult for some people, everyone can skip one meal a day without difficulty. I know this because as a nurse, when I am prepping my patients for a procedure, I have to stop them from eating. In my twenty years of nursing, I have never had a patient have a severe life threatening event because they missed a meal. Having said that though, if you do have a chronic illness, please discuss your fasting intentions with your doctor before skipping more than one meal a day.
Don't waste another day trying to do things on your own. Devote special time to prayer and include fasting. Open up your life to the power of God and stand back in amazement as He shows how great He is.
Live your live on purpose with God first!
Heidirn
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