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When Elijah received word from Jezebel, he ran because he was fearful. However, he did not run to a club, to his ex, or to drugs; Elijah ran to God in an extended fast. After the angel visited him, “he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:8). He escaped to extended fasting.

Fasting is abstaining from food for spiritual reasons.

Jesus said, “When you fast”, not “If you fast”, so he expects us to practice fasting (Matthew 6:16-18). The purpose of fasting is not to lose weight, but to feast on God. Fasting is giving up what I want, food for my body, for what I need, food for my spirit. If fasting is done for the right motives, it will bring spiritual rewards.

I challenge you to ask the Lord if an extended fast is something He would want you to participate in. If there is something you are trying to escape, escape to an extended fast, like Elijah, and encounter God.

Today’s Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I want to obey your Word and fast. May your Holy Spirit lead me in selecting the type and length of the fast. Give me the strength to work while fasting, I depend fully on You. I want this spiritual practice of fasting to ignite a fresh fire in me for Your presence and Your Word, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.