Start Your Fast WellSample

With Grace and a Calling

Fasting brings about a renewed walk and dependence on the Lord, which we can then share with those around us.

A good animal trainer is able to teach a dog to not eat a treat until given the command to proceed. Although failures do occur, the focus and discipline of a well-trained dog is incredible to watch. As you fast, you may need an extra measure of God's grace to not give in to your natural desires to eat. For a successful spiritual fast, you need a sense of calling from God. A calling is God asking you to do something. Bill Bright uses a favorite Bible verse from Philippians to explain this.

All fasts should bring some type of result. If you are fasting for dietary reasons, you should emerge healthier. When the goal is being more focused and disciplined, you should emerge stronger. When responding to God's call to fast, you should experience a renewed walk with Him that extends to others. Witnessing and talking about Jesus will be a natural outcome. Knowing these things will encourage you as you start your fast.

Apply

• If you have fasted, were you trying to renew your relationship with the Lord, or were you fasting for another reason?
• Take a moment to pray and ask God to renew your walk with Him through your fast.

Plan Summary

In the middle of Proverbs 22, there is a powerful verse. It is almost as if Solomon called a "time out" to remind the reader why He gives these life lessons. It reads, “I am teaching you today — yes, you — so you will trust in the Lord” (NLT). Do you see the connection? God uses life lessons to build our trust. Our prayer is that these five days spent in the "Starting Your Fast Well" plan have been a reminder to increase your trust in Him.

Making Your Life Count has four plans on the topic of fasting. Would you consider doing the next one in the series titled, "Fasting With a Purpose?"

In addition to the Bible App Plans, we offer some other resources in fasting and Christian growth. Please visit the following page to see these other resources. We are a part of the worldwide ministry called Cru and have chapters all around the world. We would love to get to know you.

Take Action

Please visit our Fasting Resources.