Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Why do we fast?

Today is our third day of the week long fasting and prayer in our church. Some of our leaders are fasting from 6 AM to 6PM but since me and my husband are working we decided to just do a one meal fast, we are giving up dinner for a week.

But why do we fast?
In the book of Joel 1 :14 it says
 "Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord." (NIV)

Also in Luke 4 :2  "where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry." (NIV)

Biblical fasting is abstaining from food but today people fast from certain things also like internet or TV.

 Why do we fast? personally for us, it's because we want to be more closer to the Lord and we want to hear his voice in answer to our prayers. And basically to cry out with our petition. Number one on our list of prayer items is for us to have a child. I'm hoping and trusting that the Lord will grant our request because it's says in the last part of 1 Chronicles 5 :20 " He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him."

Fasting is not dieting but it's natural to lose some weight while on fast but it should not be your main reason :)
 Though I would be delighted if I can lose some too ( haha!) then I would not be looking for plus size homecoming dresses anymore. 

Anyways, here are some practical tips while fasting:

1. Rest as much as you can
2. Be in the spirit of prayer the whole day, you can pray for your family, nation, church and others..
3. Drink plenty of water
4. While in fast, it is normal to feel weak and irritable-so ready your self about it.
5. Bask in the presence of the Lord. Enjoy His company :)