Prayer & Fasting: A Beginner's Guideनमुना

After the fast

Nearing the end of the prayer and fasting, our regular lives start calling out to us. We may have recurring thoughts about what we will enjoy when the fast is over. Around this time, we are also considering what aspects of the fast we will incorporate into our lives moving forward. For example, if we had given up bread or dairy for the duration of the fast, we may be contemplating cutting down on consuming those items when life returns to normal.

But there may also be a feeling we may not have been expecting, a little apprehension of leaving what has felt like such a spiritual time and space. Going back to normal may not be as inviting as one would assume. During this time, you may have been hearing from God so much more precisely, spending more time in prayer and being more deliberate about what you do with your free time. Going back to not having this structure may not be as appealing as you would think.

So, like everything else in life, there is this tension: as we pray and fast, we look forward to returning to our everyday lives but don't want to let go of this sweet time. It is a beautiful feeling when our spiritual insight is heightened.

Peter expressed something like this at the transfiguration of Jesus when he said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Matthew 17:4 NASB)

Although staying here feels inviting, it isn't feasible. But, on the other hand, we will likely be going to a new normal, a changed landscape in some ways, because we've received answers to some of those big prayers we prayed.

In the weeks following prayer and fasting, we may feel nothing, or our emotions may run the spectrum. Feeling exhausted and depressed shouldn't surprise us. After all, we were engaged in spiritual warfare.

Following Elijah's great victory on Mount Carmel, he fled in fear and depression (1 Kings 19). An angel came to Elijah and fed him, ministering to him just like the angels ministered to Jesus after His fast. Seeing how God responded in these situations shows us that we can ask Him to minister to us in these ways after our fast.

In the months following prayer and fasting, it is good to go back to the journal we kept during that season to remember what we prayed for and to write down how God has answered our prayers. May our gratitude be loud as we tell others of God's goodness and faithfulness and how He heard us when we prayed and fasted.

If you were encouraged by this plan and would like to hear more, invite Debbie to speak by going to www.debbiemendoza.com.