Scripture:  Isaiah 58, Matthew 6:1-18; 9:14-17, Acts 13:1-3
 
Types of Fasting (feel free to replace food with anything that will cost you comfort or pleasure):

• Normal – Going without food for a definite period of time and only taking in liquids (be careful – know your physical limits and health issues)
  
• Absolute – Going without any food or water (not recommended)
  
• Partial – Going without certain foods or is on a limited eating schedule. For example skipping lunch or only eating when it is dark.
  
• Rotational – Eating or omitting certain families of foods for designated periods. Like only eating grains every fourth day.

 
Biblical Examples of Fasting

• The Disciples Fast – Matthew 6:1-18; 9:14-17
• The Ezra Fast – Ezra 8:23
• The Samuel Fast – 1 Samuel 7:6
• The Elijah Fast – 1 Kings 19:4-8
• The Widow’s Fast – 1 Kings 17:16
• Paul’s Fast – Acts 9:9
• The Daniel Fast – Daniel 1:8
• John’s Fast – Luke 1:15
• The Esther Fast – Esther 4:16 – 5:2

 
Suggested Reading:

• “Fasting For Spiritual Break Through” – Elmer Towns
• “A Hunger For God” – John Piper

Will you commit to fasting between now and Easter Sunday?
 
Step 1 – Why Fast?
Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal? For guidance? For healing? For the resolution of problems? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify what He wants you to take away from this time.
 
“One of the greatest spiritual benefits of fasting is becoming more attentive to God – becoming more aware of our own inadequacies and His adequacy, our own contingencies and His self-sufficiency – and listening to what He wants us to be and do.”  - Elmer Towns
 
Step 2 – Commit
How long will you fast?  What will you fast?
How will you increase your time with God?  How much time will you devote to pray and God’s Word?
 
Step 3 – Accountability
Who do you trust?  Tell them about your fast, not to brag, but so they can hold you accountable.  Give them permission to check in with you and see how the fast is going.
 
Your Fasting Plan
Write it down:

• Why are you fasting?
  
• What are you fasting?
  
• How long will you fast?
  
• Who will hold you accountable?                                                       

 

“Do not be afraid because of the words you have heard…
Isaiah 37:5
 
Opossums are funny little creatures. Partly because their name is spelled funny – what is with the ‘o’ at the beginning!? They have a reputation for playing dead when they are scared. At least that is what I have always believed about them, until I cornered one. It was dark and my dogs were barking like crazy. When I went to see what was going on I found an opossum cornered under the stairs of our deck near a corner of our house. It did not play dead, that ugly little creature was ready to fight. Growling, teeth showing, I mean he was ready to attack. There was no playing dead! Have you ever found yourself backed into a corner and not sure what to do about?

In Isaiah 37 we read about a man named Hezekiah who found himself backed into such a corner and people on every side telling him what to do about it. None of them were very positive and some basically telling him it’s over, you’re finished, just give up. What a tough spot to be in, when we want out, but don’t know how to get out, and it seems like there are not very many people willing to help us get out.

It was in that moment Isaiah sent him a message, it was a simple one.  He said, don’t be afraid, you are going to be ok. God has heard you and He will be with you. That is a pretty encouraging word when you find yourself stuck in battle you see no way out of. With that, Hezekiah went to God in prayer and basically laid his entire situation at God’s feet and said here you go. This is it, my problem is yours, lead me through. Hezekiah was lead to victory.

You might find yourself in a corner today and I want to say the same thing to you that Isaiah said to Hezekiah – do not be afraid, God has heard you, and God is with you. Surrender your situation to Him and watch Him be glorified in the midst of it. Victory is yours today in Jesus. Trust Him and pray to Him, He will be with you.

Pastor Matt