I'm going to fast again this week. My plan is to expand from 24 hours to 36 hours. Last week's fast was a great test of my heart and intentions. Now that I know that going without food for 24 hours won't kill me, I'm actually looking forward to the experience. I've got a prayer calendar for the month of June that I plan to pray through. I've got to memorize a couple of stories for Rwanda. I'm going to spend some time writing a new worship song. I plan on visiting Canaan In The Desert Prayer Garden.
I'm not writing this to brag or get pats on the back - In fact, last week I posted about my fast after the fact because, honestly, I thought I might flake out and I definitely didn't want to broadcast my fast to the world just in case I really blew it. I seriously considered writing today's post after the fast was over because I don't want to call attention to myself - I want this fast to be a concentrated, spiritual experience, focused strictly on God with no expectations or limitations imposed on Him.
But this week, I'd like to invite anyone and everyone to join me in a fast. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from fasting, please don't fast from food. Consider fasting from something that you love and depend on, such as electronics or sugar or? You can be as creative as you want to be, just remember that we're fasting for God's glory. We're fasting in order to spend more time praying and seeking God's will. We're fasting because it's a spiritual discipline not an adrenaline rush or an "in" thing to do. We're fasting because we want to take God seriously and elevate Him above all other things in our lives. We're fasting to remind ourselves to never be more hunger for any earthly thing than we are for God and our relationship with Him. (read Psalm 63:1-8 for more inspiration)
I'm starting Friday morning at 6am, going 'til Saturday evening at 6pm. Are you in? Would you be willing to try it for 8 hrs? 12 hrs? 18 hrs? 24 hrs? 36 hrs?