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Day 8 — Practicing Fasting
We often go through the motions, feeling disconnected from our faith and purpose. But what if there was a way to reset, reconnect, and reinvigorate our spiritual lives? Enter the ancient practice of fasting—a powerful tool used by spiritual leaders and seekers for millennia.
Fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food. It’s a multifaceted spiritual discipline that can transform our lives, families, and communities. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of great leaders who fasted: Moses, Samson, Daniel, Elijah, Jesus, and Paul, to name a few. Each of them tapped into the power of fasting to seek God’s guidance, break cycles of oppression, and prepare for significant spiritual events.
But what does fasting look like in our modern world? How can we incorporate this practice into our busy lives?
First, it’s essential to understand that fasting isn’t about earning God’s favor or working for a spiritual gift. Instead, it’s about releasing what’s already been given to us. It’s a way to humble ourselves, seek God’s direction, and break free from the things that hinder us.
In Mark 9:29, Jesus tells his disciples that certain spiritual battles can only be won through prayer and fasting. This powerful combination can break bonds of wickedness, set the oppressed free, and break every yoke that holds us back. But it doesn’t stop there. Isaiah 58 paints a beautiful picture of true fasting—it’s not just about abstaining from food but about actively caring for others. It’s about sharing our bread with the hungry, providing shelter for the homeless, and clothing the naked. Our light breaks forth like the morning when we fast this way, and our healing springs forth speedily.
How do we incorporate fasting into our lives?
- Start small: Begin by fasting one meal a week. Use that time to pray, read Scripture, or serve others.
- Be consistent: Like Paul, aim to fast “often.” This could mean fasting two or three meals spread throughout the week.
- Combine fasting with prayer: Use your fasting time to energize your prayer life. It’s like a spiritual protein shake for your prayer muscles!
Remember, fasting aims to create space in our lives to connect with God more deeply. It’s about breaking free from the things that hold us back and stepping into the fullness of what God has for us.
As we practice fasting, we may find that miracles begin to flow more naturally in our lives.
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About this Plan
In our modern world, we’ve removed many ancient practices that build robust human beings. Is there a better way to live? A practice that could lead us to wholeness? When we think about monks, we may imagine shaved heads, robes behind cloistered walls, and individuals living their monk life, out of sync with our modern-day lives and practices. Jude Fouquier shows how their practices can affect our lives in this reading plan.
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