Every January it seems to be the same question as we approach our annual fast: “pastor, how should we fast”? In the past we have emailed and blogged about what is acceptable and what is not acceptable to eat during our 21 Day Fast. We have published menus and recipes gathered from the internet, books and magazines to make sure everyone stayed on course.
There is no doubt that God has honored our efforts and the desire to complete the 21 Day Fast, but as I look back I cannot help but to wonder if we could not have heard the voice of God more clearly if our focus had been more on Him than on what we could and could not eat. I certainly don’t feel a spirit of condemnation because for many of us, me included, we were just learning the importance of and how to fast. I Corinthians 13:11 says “when I was a child, I talked like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”
As I have said before, I believe that God is calling PCC to a greater anointing which requires a new level of maturity. It is all going to start with our 21 Day Fast. So, how should we fast in 2012? Here are a few of my own personal thoughts as I approach this year’s fast:
- Be determined to find a “Fasting Zone” which is the place where the voice of God can be heard clearly. This starts with having a pure heart (read previous post). There is no doubt that a biblical fast is a place of sacrifice and denying the flesh, but no one hears the voice of the Spirit when they are in a place where they are frustrated and miserable.
- Decide what you can and want to do during the fast, and write it down so that you can be accountable. Don’t compare yourself to others because that is not what fasting is about; it is about positioning yourself to walk in the revelation and power of the Holy Spirit not just during the fast, but throughout 2012 and the rest of your life.
- Instead of worrying about menus of what can and cannot eaten, make a list of things that you plan to give up for the 21 days of the fast. In 2012, for my personal fast I have decided that I am not going to eat anything fried, sweet (desserts), beef or pork, bread and only drink water. Then, 3 out of the 21 days I plan to do a “water only fast.”
- Now that you know what your fast is going to look like, then you can focus on what a true fast is supposed to be about; hearing the voice of God through his Word, through prayer and a personal time of praise.
It is your turn to plan and prepare for an amazing encounter with God. If you will take the time to prepare, then the next 21 Days will be filled with excitement and expectation instead of “can I eat this or are we supposed to eat that”? Set some personal guidelines for your fast and you will discover a liberty and joy that comes with fasting.
Next time I will be sharing some tools needed during your 21 Day Fast.
