More of You- 7 Day Fasting Guide to Empty Ourselves and Be Filled With God's PresenceShembull

DAY 2: FOR + FROM - Getting the most out of our Fast

A couple years ago, when our kids were elementary age and pre-teens, we discovered a guide that helped our kids better understand why we fast and also cultivated a desire within them to be active in deciding what their fasts would look like. This is when the Lord gave us the idea of fasting ‘For + From.’ Our family (and church) often does an annual 21-day fast in January, so here is an example of what it can look like broken up into 3 weeks. Again, it's ok if yours looks different, as long as it's accomplishing the goal to deprive the flesh + create a spiritual hunger.

What are we fasting FROM?

From is the ‘starving the flesh’ part. Take time to pray about what to abstain from that will help create an ongoing daily awareness to seek or ‘hunger’ for the Lord.

Week One: Food Fast

Adults : Liquid Fast (No solid food. Coffee, healthy smoothies and broth only)

Kids, depending on age: Choose 1-2 meals a day to skip and replace with a liquid.

Week Two: Media / Electronic Entertainment Fast

ALL: Besides for work or school purposes, we abstain from all electronic entertainment and outlets including social media, tv, YouTube, secular music, etc.

Can I be honest with you? This one gets the most resistance from the kids upfront. However, when we replace this time with prayer, worship, card games and genuine family fun and intentional conversation… by the end of the week they almost don't want to go back. Almost. Ha!

Week Three: Sweets, Treats + Snacks Fast

Adults: No processed foods or sugars. If eating meat, lean; baked or grilled. Only organic grains. Fruits + vegetables.

Kids: No chips, candy, desserts, or snacks besides healthy fruits or veggies.

Additional options to abstain from for any length of fast: Shopping, coffee, meat, wine or alcohol, going out to eat, activities that keep you busy, etc.

What are we fasting FOR?

This is the ‘creating a spiritual hunger’ part. We’ll talk more about this in tomorrow’s devo but simply put, we invite everyone who is participating in the fast to seek the Holy Spirit about what to fast FOR. This can be so many things, and it always looks different from person to person.

Week One: Salvations, Presence of Holy Spirit, Fullness of God, Intimacy, Mission, Awakening

Week Two: Provision, Finances, Direction, Future, Opportunities, Anointing, Calling, Purpose

Week Three: Family, Relationships, Restoration, Healing, Miracles, Signs, Passion, Purity

As you prayerfully discern what you're fasting for, here are some questions to help guide you. Be specific to your life and surroundings. Write out names, needs, hopes, dreams… all of it.

What areas am I needing God to provide, guide, heal or move in my life?

Who are the people around me that need the saving gospel of Jesus?

What purposes, dreams or giftings has the Holy Spirit led me to step into?