Five Things I Do On A Fast

Over the years, I have developed the skill set of fasting and prayer. Honestly, when I first started out during my Bible College days, I never made it more than a few hours. Every time I would go to fast, I would end up eating! Some of my good friends fasted for weeks. Somehow, I could not last even a day.

Then, I learned the secret of accountability. Having a partner you did not want to disappoint, helped me stay with it. First it was three days. Then five. Then an entire week. Eventually, I grew to where 21 days of fasting (liquid only) became a pattern for me every January.

But even then, I was sometimes just miserable and hungry the entire time! My focus was still on my empty growling stomach, and how much longer I had to go until I would be able to eat again. It was like grinding it out till the end of a 'hunger strike' rather than an intimate time in relationship with God.

Okay...I might be exaggerating a little bit. But there were many days I felt like 'What's the point!?' This is just awful. So here's five things that I have learned to do to make my season of fasting and prayer powerful and more meaningful.

#1 - I CLEAR AS MUCH CLUTTER FROM MY SCHEDULE

My first mistake was that I was working just as hard during my fast as I was the rest of the year. I kept a full schedule of appointments. When I came home at night, I was exhausted. So I ended up dealing with my fatigue by laying on the couch and watching a TV program or sporting event, and craving the food advertised during every commercial.

When I decided to limit my number of appointments, and carve out more time for solitude, my entire approach changed. It's not that I was getting less done, or just vegging out. But my time of solitude allowed me to think about longer term planning. I had space to think. Dream. Evaluate. Discern.

Actually, at the end of the fast I was able to get so much more done because the season of solitude helped me work smarter not just harder. Reducing my normal entertainment regimine, to read or have some quiet also helped my soul to thrive during that time.

#2 - I DESIGNATE MY MEAL TIMES FOR WORSHIP

Maybe the most important thing that I did was set up three prayer seasons during every day. Each is at least 20 minutes in length. In the morning, take some time with God (as I normally would in a non-fasting) season. During the morning, I do my Bible reading and spend some time in worship and prayer.

Then at lunch time, I power down and spend twenty minutes pacing and worshiping along with some tunes I have downloaded from Spotify. At the dinner hour, I do the same.

I can't explain it, but those times of worship are some of the most precious moments of connection with the Holy Spirit.

#3 - I LISTEN AS MUCH OR MORE THAN I TALK

When I am in the fasting season, I spend a lot more time just worshiping and less time in the normal conversations with God where I pray through patterns or bring to God my lists of needs. As I worship, I try to tune into the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

When I have an idea that seems inspired, I write it down. Within the room where I am praying, there is always a notepad and pen. If I get a scripture verse that jumps into my heart, or an idea for future ministry, I write it down. God downloads so much to me during those moments of singing and pacing before the Lord.

#4 - I WRITE REGULARLY IN MY JOURNAL

Remember that fasting is not about earning an answer from God. Anything we have from God we get because of His goodness and graciousness. Besides, not eating for a meal or even a few days, is not really that impressive an accomplishment. Much of the world goes without food for most of their week.

Fasting is about tuning your spiritual ears to hear. It's about denying your flesh so that the Spirit within you can become louder and more pronounced in your moment by moment walk with God. Therefore, we should expect to hear things from God during a time of fasting and prayer. This is where writing in a journal comes in.

Writing in a diary is a record of your feelings and your life's events. Writing in a journal is a record of God's revelation in your life. It is not just what is happening to you, and how you feel about it. It is what God is saying to you to reshape your thinking and your approach to life. Most often we journal best when we are writing about a scripture verse and reflecting on its meaning and application to us.

Every day, I try to write something that I am receiving from the Word as I read it.

#5 - I GO TO BED EARLIER AND NAP MORE DURING THE DAY

Finally, I sleep more during a fast. This is somewhat natural because you lack the same energy as when you are "feasting". But I remember that this is about powering down to rest in God. So taking a midday nap is helpful. Some days, I may get up and pray, and then lay back down for an hour or so to get my strength.

Fasting can be a time of rest for your mind, body, and soul.