March 28, 2024
Home
The Burning Bush Community
Revivals and Testimony
THE PRISON MINISTRY Attn: Chaplains
How To Be Saved
Devotionals 2013-2022
Devotionals 2011-2012
Devotionals 2009-2010
Devotionals 2007-2008
Devotionals 2006
Devotionals 2005
Devotionals 2004
Devotionals 2003
Devotionals 2002
Devotionals 1998-2001
FREE BOOKS
Newest Sermons
The Sermon Box
Testimonies
Journey to Fruitfulness - From Rocker to Preacher
Devotionals for the Journey
Miracles
God's Help For The Tough Problems
Break Out! Spiritually
New Pastor's Training Manual
New Believer's Training Manual
The X File
The X File Devotionals
Prayer Requests
Praise Reports
Prayer Support Page
VisionTrust - Tanzania
Online Sermons
BOOKSTORE


Devotionals 1998 - 2001

Fastings
January 6, 2000By Ed Wrather

01.06.00
 
Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked...in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-. - 2 Corinthians 11:25-27.

Tomorrow is the day which Intercessors for America are urging Christians to unite in prayer and fasting for the United States. It seems fitting that their should be a day of prayer and fasting to begin the year 2000. We are urged to pray for several things: Lordship of Christ, Spirit of Wisdom, Sanctity of Life, Congress, and Presidential primaries. We can most likely think of a few other things to pray about as well.

Prayer and fasting. I remember the first time I tried to fast. My pastor had spoken briefly about fasting and I was intrigued. It was the first time I had really thought about it and understood that Christians are to fast. In II Corinthians the apostle Paul includes fastings in a list of the sufferings he had endured for Christ. I understood a little more about that by the afternoon of my day of fasting. My head was killing me! No caffeine, and by about 5:00 P.M. my fast was over. I was thinking "I am never doing this again!" I did not try fasting again until after I was a pastor. I now realize the tremendous importance of fasting but it is still difficult for me and not something that I do lightly.

Fasting throughout the Bible seems to be something that gets God's attention. Fasting seems to be a statement to God that we are very serious about a certain matter. It allows us to focus on God. The Psalmist says in Psalm 35:13 that he humbled his soul with fasting. In Psalm 69:10 the Psalmist chastens himself through fasting. Fasting is beneficial to our attitude and our health. Through fasting we are in continuous prayer during the time of our fast.

How can you fast? Fasting is basically the abstaining from solid food. Many fast with only liquids during the day and a light meal in the evening. Some fast with liquids only but use a blender to provide sustenance. Extended fasts should be approached cautiously with medical advice when medications or health conditions are involved. However, food is not the only thing we can fast. We can fast time watching TV, or time on the computer, or other things that may be important to us.

I would encourage you to try fasting if you never have. I have always been encouraged by time spent in fasting. No, you may not enjoy it but Paul didn't say he enjoyed the shipwrecks, stonings, and beatings with rods either.


Visitor Comments (0)
Be the first to post a comment!
Loading...
Related Articles · More Articles
Praying with others magnifies the power of those prayers.
Fight back against the attacks of the enemy.
Prayer makes a difference.

Copyright © 1998-2014. Ed Wrather. Copyright Contents of Entire Site.
Church Websites | Ministry Websites by ChristianCMS, a Service of Inspyre.