Prayer & Fasting: A Beginner's Guide预览

Enjoy the experience

Some of the sweetest days we will ever experience may be during times of prayer and fasting.

After planning, committing, and preparing, we get to spend time with God in a different, more concentrated, and deliberate way than usual. Despite all the enemy's spiritual attacks against us and the distractions he has thrown our way, the Lord meets with us as we persevere, and it can be a fantastic time!

When we read the Bible during prayer and fasting, we seem to grasp deeper meanings that are more specific to our lives and the lives of those in our circle. When we worship, it feels like we are sitting at Jesus' feet in lovely communion. When we pray, it is with so much more confidence, as if more than ever, we know we have the Lord's ear.

Sublime is one way to describe the feeling of walking in a deeper relationship with our Lord for the duration of our prayer and fasting! Moses' face shone when he returned from Mt. Sinai after fasting and spending time with God, and he didn't even know he was glowing!

God told Moses to write down the Covenant; similarly, our journals should be where we keep track of it all! When we don't write it down, we forget it. So, write. Write. Write it all down.

We should write down any answers to prayers we receive during the fast. If we receive a life-changing perspective, we write it down! If there is discernment that we should add more to a prayer, or if it needs to be more specific, we write it down. Then, in the future, when we need a little encouragement, this journal will bring us hope and remind us of God's promises.

Something to be aware of, as well, is that just as our individual stories and lives differ, we should expect that everyone's experience during prayer and fasting is different. This allows us to learn from each other's experiences instead of criticizing or envying anyone.

Even if we are praying and fasting with others, this is a personal experience with God. We want to open our hands, hearts, and spirits to be blessed by the Lord's plans for each of us. Let's keep our eyes on what is happening in our times of prayer and fasting and allow the Lord to pour out what He has for us individually during this time.