So as many of you know, me and a few other people felt led by God to go on an eight day, water only fast last week for the week of prayer and fasting that we had at the church. In all honesty I love eating. But as we were studying through the book of Daniel I kept noticing how Daniel and his friends were constantly praying. Jesus even made mention of it in Matthew 17:21, ..."
However, this kind odes not go out except by prayer and fasting." Of course He also said, "
Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countanance. For they disfigure thier faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matthew 6:16-18
The whole reason I chose to go on the fast was for a variety of personal and ministry related things that I wanted to seek the Lord in. Now I should say that there are many types of fasts. There are partial fasts, like eating only one meal a day. Or not eating for a day. Some people fast from a particular food, like candy or coffee. Some people fast from watching TV or movies. And yet others fast from their favorite sport like skating or surfing. Either way the motive should always be to seek a closer communion with the Lord. It was amazing all the free time I had to pray and read my Bible. I thank the Lord that I am in a position where people understand that. Fasting should be practical and personal. Especially if you are young you need to pray about it and ask your parents. I am still amazed at the things the Lord revealed to me and I feel is doing because of the fast. Eight days in all is not that long. Jesus, Moses, and others fasted for forty days! I am praying about maybe doing that one day. The hardest part is that I was fasting from surfing...it would be hard to do that for forty days! My point is I felt led to do it and I know that it had to have been the Spirit of God because I like to eat, and without God's help and sustaining I know I would not have made it.
How did I break it you might be wondering? Pastor Adam, Armondo Perez, and myself went to Soup Plantation on Saturday night. It was glorious, the only person that was missing was Eli (the girl who fasted with us). I thought that maybe I had forgotten how to chew but I didn't. Food had never tasted soooo good. But then I over ate and went from being sick of not eating to being sick of eating all in one day! Anyways, I believe its a lifelong spiritual discipline I am going to implement. By the way, like the verse stated I did not suck in my face to make myself look holy! I lost 22 lbs in eight days which I am sure qualifies as dangerous. That is why IF you feel led make sure your parents are ok with it and you research it.
Posts
