Friday, September 15, 2017 Final Thoughts on Fasting (The Discipline of Fasting, Part 7 of 7)

Friday, September 15, 2017

Final Thoughts on Fasting (The Discipline of Fasting, Part 7 of 7)

Devotional:

Today as we complete our look at the chapter on fasting, I am humbled and filled with gratitude that the Lord waits so patiently and faithfully for us to come to obedience to His desire for us to fast. It can be so hard to embrace fasting as a way of life when we are surrounded by this culture of feasting and instant gratification. I had a heartfelt and beautiful conversation with a lovely young lady yesterday about the subject of seeking the Lord in fasting, and the passion and joy of that interaction inspired me afresh to reintroduce my regular practice of a 2-meal, 24-hour weekly fast. I want to let you know I share this with you not to gain approval, but because you are my tribe—and because I want to lead by example in this most challenging of the disciplines, and to share this with you is to seek true accountability and transparency. I do not expect any of you to do what I am doing unless God is impressing it upon you, but if you would like someone to talk to during this time if the Lord is leading you, I am a PM away on Facebook Messenger. I cherish the opportunity to walk through the fasting journey with you. Please do read in particular the final portion of the PDF file I provided in the group for the wisdom Pastor Foster provides on how best to approach a fast. I have to modify the fast-breaking principles, due to a specialized diet, but believe that the simplicity and practicality of the steps as he laid them out are on point. Again, please do let me know if you would like to talk or would like prayer support during a fast, and I will gladly do so!

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

Father, I thank You for Your leading as I listen to Your voice in how to involve fasting into my daily life. You are a wise and wonderful Father, and You are my God. I love You, and I consecrate my life and heart to You.

Confession:

Father, I confess (name area of struggle or sin. Mine today: I feel fearful about fasting. I desire to obey You here, but fear my moods will fight my ability to have the inner joy and the right heart. I give it to You and ask You to remove that fear and replace it with passion to obey You.)

Supplication:

God, I lift up my children to You today. I need every ounce of Your strength to be a good parent to them by Your grace and mercy today. I ask that You will touch their hearts in the area (name sin or struggle. Ask God to move and woo them to repentance by His kindness. Chloe: Selfishness and greediness, which shows up in coveting the possession of others to a deep level. Christian: Willful defiance, which manifests in his increasingly aggressive insistence on getting his own way.) (Journal concerns, progress and victories.)

Consecration and Thanksgiving:
Lord, I am so deeply grateful to You for Your hand on our home. Even when we are walking through dark valleys, You are there, and we are not alone. I receive Your love today, and worship You, God. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.