Many churches, ministries and individuals make it a custom to take the first few weeks of the new year to get themselves focused on what God is saying or wants to do over the coming 12 months. Many do this by the practice of fasting.
When I was first introduced to fasting, it was in a situation where there was no clear direction for the reasons for the fast and the main focus was on what we “cut out” rather than whether or not God was actually speaking. It was more about who was the best “faster” than it was about becoming more sensitive to the Spirit’s voice in our lives.
This year, as our pastor; Bishop Tony Miller called our church to fast and pray for the first few weeks of this year, I asked God “Lord, what would you have me do this year?” His response was a surprise to me. I really felt the Lord lay heavily on my heart some things that I was supposed to add to my life for this fast rather than a set list of things that I was to take away from my life. I thought this was strange, but in learning about what fasting means, I discovered that fasting is simply the practice of getting my flesh in a position of greater sensitivity to the heart and voice of God.
You know what? It worked! Of course, there are some things that I decided to “stay away from” but those were just things like some time in front of the television or some food items (probably simply out of tradition),but the things that I felt the Lord wanted me to add to my daily routine have produced far greater results than the things I came up with to leave out of my routine.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on this.
Are you or have you been on a fast of any sort this month?
Have you done a traditional fast or has God laid something different on your heart?
What results have you seen? What has God spoken to you about your life, ministry, future, etc. as a result of you being more sensitive to hear his voice?
Ready… GO!
Pastor Joey, how incredible God is!! Every year at Word of Life we fast the first 21 days of the new year. I really did not want to make it just another fast. I wanted to really touch the heart of God and see Him and my life in a totally different perspective. To be honest, the last few years have probably been the toughest of my life. But I have seen a lot of spiritual growth through it all. So, I asked God what he wanted from me this year. And He basically told me to learn how to enjoy where I am. This year I fasted negative thoughts and mindsets.
The transformation in my heart and mind has been incredible. I have a new passion for God and ministry. I can now reconnect to others in a way that I have not been able to do in a long time due to trust issues with church leadership. I have learned that whatever it was I thought I lost through my trials, weren’t really losses at all. They were things that needed to exit my life for me to receive the next assignment that God had mandated for me.
I did fast physically during the first 21 days of this year, but I believe the greatest impact on my life was the fasting of negative thoughts and mindsets. I am going to keep fasting the negative stuff for the rest of the year!!