Why fast? What am I seeking? Ministry growth? Prosperity? Service? Am I seeking God’s way, or doing things my way and expecting God to make it happen? Am I asking Him to change circumstances or me?
Recently, the Lord called me to a fast, but not the traditional “no food” kind. In meditating over Zechariah 7 and Isaiah 58, He reminded me that, first and foremost, a fast is a character-building experience.
The Holy Spirit kept pointing me to the closet in my home dubbed “The Gift Closet.” New knick-knacks, collectibles, and other niceties line its shelves for future giveaways. Finally, I heard Him.
Give up frivolous shopping. Skip the garage and estate sales too. Instead, spend time in prayer and writing for me.
Jesus prayed and fasted for forty days while being tempted. And, He did not fail. Like Him, we have physical, emotional, and spiritual assaults that confront us. Only through prayer and fasting can certain strongholds be rooted out of our lives.
Although curtailing shopping seemed rather drastic, browsing in stores had become like an addiction for me. I had allowed idleness to keep me from God’s desire for my life.
My husband seemed particularly happy with this latest revelation. When I asked him if he’d been praying, he laughed and gave a big grin.