Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines!

“When you fast” (Matthew 6:16)

What are you doing to prepare your heart for the 2007 year?
Do you understand how to fast?
Are you regularly practicing the discipline of fasting?

Today marks day #3 before the start of the new year. In April 1607, Robert Hunt, the first chaplain of the Jamestown colony, called for 3 days of prayer and fasting for the colonists to prepare their hearts to dedicate the new nation to God.

God has given us an incredible opportunity to rededicate America back to God in 2007, the year the marks the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America. How we prepare ourselves will make all the difference. For our prayers to be effective, we must fast.

Prayer, fasting, and giving all go hand-in-hand. Fasting is like prayer on steroids! Fasting for the serious Christian is not optional. Jesus said “When you fast” not “If you fast.”

On Saturday December 9, while walking with Lawrence Crews in the Bealeton Christmas parade, he asked to talk to me about fasting because he was considering doing a 40 day fast in 2007 to experience some breakthroughs in his life.  The next afternoon, following the Sunday worship service at Soul Purpose Church, Lawrence sent me an email with a link to a fantastic web page by Bill Bright titled “Your Personal Guide of Fasting and Prayer.”

I visited that web page to prepare myself for fasting before the 2007 year begins. Bill Bright states: “Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life…  Fasting is one of the most neglected spiritual admonitions.” Be sure to read more about this in the Link of the Day.

Prayer Power
LORD, I don’t like to fast because it’s unnatural. And yet I know from extensive previous experience that denying my body always raises my spiritual awareness and draws me closer to You. I want to start 2007 off right with  fasting to humble myself, pray, seek Your face, and turn from my own wicked ways. Please let me know how long my fast is to be and guide me through it. Open the eyes of understanding of those who read this message to the importance of fasting. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
How to Fast [www.billbright.com/howtofast/] – by Bill Bright (“the expert”)

Blessings to know how and why to fast!