Fasting and Prayer

“Ho, every one that thirsts, come ye to the waters, and he that has no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfies not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let you soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”            Isaiah 55:1-3

            Today is a new beginning; a beginning of a new way of living and a new way of thinking. This passage from the beginning of blogging has become a theme in my life. Last week Tuesday I began a 40 Day fast after the practice of medieval Europe. During the 40 Days of Lent as well as avoiding meat, oils, wine, and fats those who could handle it would only eat one meal at the end of the day. I haven’t been avoiding any foods, but in order to get used to fasting I have only been eating a small to regular sized meal at the end of the day. During the day I drink water, tea and fresh vegetable juices.

            I would be lying if I said that I have been able to fast perfectly. There have been a few days (this is 9 days in) that I have had either a snack, or a small healthy meal.

            In spite of mistakes, God has been teaching me wonderful things over this past week. The reason I have begun this project is because I want to renew my relationship with God, I want to break the bonds my sinful relationship with food has over my life. Fasting has created time in my life for me to realize how selfish I have been. I have been able to think about my relationship with God, the time and the work that I have, and haven’t put into that relationship. I have always said, and wanted to believe that my relationship with God is the most important relationship in my life. Yet in the past 9 days I have realized that my relationships with YouTube, Facebook, Sleep, and Books have been getting more time and attention than my relationship with God. I have realized that my selfish attitude in regards to my personal time has affected my relationship with my husband.

            Today I make the commitment to change my focus of each day from serving myself to finding ways to serve others. My time is no longer time to focus on my own pleasure. Time is a gift from God, I will use it to glorify Him and develop the gifts that he has given me.

            Prayer, music, Bible study, meditation and memorization are going to be forefront in my mind. Along with those focuses and goals I will be looking for ways that I can go out of my way to serve people around me.

            Fasting has already been an amazing tool for God in my life, I have found a year-long fasting calendar that implements fasting into the whole Christian life, in such a way as to enhance the seasons of the Christian calendar and the Christian walk. If God is calling you to fast, I pray that you will answer the call and experience the amazing ways He will work in your life.

            Much love in Christ!