FASTING...a tool for spiritual break-through

Last Wednesday evening I shared a devotional with our church on the subject of fasting. It's a tool that we as Christians have available, but rarely use. God is challenging...or maybe I should say convicting me to use this tool on a regular basis.

In Matthew 6 where Jesus is delivering the Sermon on the Mount, we read his teaching on taking care of the poor and then instructions for prayer. In both instances, his teaching assumes that we will do those things. Then in verses 16-18, he mentions fasting...with the same language...assuming that we as believers will fast.

Why give up food for a meal or an entire day? It's simple...to pray earnestly for God to move in an amazing way. When we get physically hungry...and it will happen when you fast...instead of eating, you simply pray.

There are many examples in the Old & New Testaments of people fasting. It's a tool that adds power to our prayers. I want my prayers to be even more powerful...don't you?

So here's the challenge that I give to our church: Join me in a weekly fast. I am beginning this Wednesday. I am giving up my lunch to pray for our church and its growth. Will you join me? Fasting is not something to brag about...it just something to privately commit to do. Maybe God will lead you to join me in this...I pray that He will.