Fasting and Prayer

Once again, our church is starting the year with a season of fasting and prayer. It seems like many individuals and churches make this decision to begin the year by purging out all physical and spiritual toxins. It’s never a bad idea!

It has taken me several days to ramp up to this in 2019. It’s always challenging for me because my birthday lands on January 2nd and of course, there is cake! Last year I attempted to use every birthday food and drink coupon I received before I started the fast. This year, what slowed me down wasn’t the coupons but rather my hearts desire to do something that would surrender my ideas and allow me to open up to the Lords in a fresh, new way. People always talk about their will power to fast anything. I didn’t want to give in to my wants. I wanted to move from "let my will be done" to "Thy will be done". I remember when Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane and was praying to the Lord about the path in front of him. He prayed, “Father…I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42

My will power is not in question this year. I already know I am weak and whenever I see something I want, I usually cave in. Right now, in this season, I am giving in to everything the Lord wants. I want to steward my time, my abilities and my resources well. In fact, my pastor is teaching me about the two pieces that help us live a life that is beyond blessed: generosity and stewardship. One without the other never works; you need them both. 

So I launch into this season of fasting and prayer with my eyes, my heart and my hands wide open to receive a spiritual download, a physical detox and an emotional healing. I’m excited. And a little hungry too!

You can join me and the rest of our church as we go through this devotional. Here's the link in YouVersion.