21 Days of Fasting and Prayer: Greater Things Sample

Hunger and Thirst

Growing up, you probably heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.”

Although I never turned into a Snickers candy bar when I was younger, the premise and intent of my parents' statement were accurate. What you take in will be reflected by what you become. The things you consume have an altering effect on you. This principle is true in so many areas of life.

And in the same way, this principle is also true: you crave what you consume.

Cravings exist because of a constant or continual satisfaction found in what is consumed.

You will most likely experience some sort of physical craving at various points during this fast.

But did you ever consider that you only crave what your body is already accustomed to consuming?

To be honest, I never struggle with cravings for spinach and cabbage during a 21-day Fast.

French fries? You bet.

Pizza? Absolutely.

Kale? Not so much.

Why? Because you only crave what you’ve previously consumed.

Now that your stomach is growling let me encourage you with some spiritual nourishment.

There are so many benefits to a season of fasting and prayer. Fasting helps us reset our discipline with what we consume…a detox of sorts.

It’s a detox to our physical bodies from all that we typically feed ourselves, and even more important is the detox to our spiritual lives.

But one powerful thing you need to understand about fasting is that you are not only detoxing but also developing an appetite for even better things.

Fasting cultivates a greater craving for the Kingdom, a greater longing and desire to draw closer to the Lord and linger in His presence.

And here is the great thing about developing a holy hunger – Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

As you spend time in the presence of the Lord, fasting and praying, you will be blessed and nourished. Your stomach may feel empty at times, but your spirit isn’t. Spiritual feeding and fueling are taking place, and with that comes a filling and satisfaction for your soul. Jesus promises in the very next chapter that whenever you begin to develop Kingdom cravings, the Lord will take care of the rest.

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

This means that our daily focus and needs will be provided as we pursue God’s priorities when we make His matters the only thing on our menu. The serious needs on your prayer list are taken care of when the things on God’s list are taken seriously.

So be encouraged today to keep developing a spiritual appetite and craving for more of God, knowing that the Lord will provide as you hunger and thirst after the things of His kingdom.