If you're reading this, you're at least interested in what it means to fast and what the benefits might actually be. In the Jewish culture, fasting was a part of their tradition and actually rules of Jewish law that were expected to be followed. Just like so many other rules and laws, Jesus came to fulfill all of them. We are free in Jesus and not under rules or law. However, there are so many benefits that God set up for the Jewish people before Jesus made his appearance as a man that we can glean from today, and I personally have found fasting to be one of them.
In all of my 53 years on earth, I was never once encouraged to fast. I wasn't familiar with it other than reading it in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, but I just assumed it didn't apply to me since I had never learned about it in any of my Bible classes or sermons that were preached. Not once. In 2021 that changed. An entire church had committed to do this together as they prayed specifically for things in their community, their families and individually. I found this inspiring and intriguing as, again, I'd never even considered doing this.
Fasting is an immediate way to point yourself to Jesus. We all know the pang of hunger in some form or fashion. The idea of fasting is to push through that pang and look to Jesus, asking Him to fill you instead of rushing to the fridge, pantry or nearest drive-thru. It's definitely not what we're used to here in America.
If you've made it this far, you may be truly considering it. I'm so so impressed with you! Fasting is an individual decision. However, you must commit to it BEFORE you start, or you will be tempted to change it and rationalize that change as you move forward. Here is what I have done for the last 3 years, and it is what I will do for 21 days starting January 1 of 2025:
Week 1
4 glasses of juice per day. I'm not a juice-girl, so this was already a challenge for me. I bought quite a few small bottles in the produce section at the grocery store the first year and narrowed it to what I can actually get down. Some people also substitute one or two of these glasses per day with broth. That was a line too far in the sand for me. I also drink water all day long.
Read one chapter of the book of John each day. Get to know Jesus by his own words and actions as an adult man. Learn how he interacted with his disciples, his enemies and how he treated those around him. His goal was (and is) to lead us to the Father. Read in His own words how He does that. There are 21 chapters. Kinda perfect.
Watch at least one episode of The Chosen. Start from the beginning. It's on Amazon Prime, but it also has its own app which is FREE to download and watch on any of your devices. Watch it alone the first time if you have not yet started. It's so very personal, and you don't want to miss even a moment of each episode, so don't have your phone nearby. Unplug from everything and everyone for that hour each day and soak in the visual images and audio elements of what Jesus could have been like in real flesh.
Pray. Pray specifically for what God has in store for you over the next few days, weeks, months, year. Watch. Listen.
Week 2
4 glasses of juice per day + a dinner meal of strictly vegetables. Get creative. You can start chewing this week, ha! Water all day long.
Keep reading one chapter of John.
Keep watching at least one episode of The Chosen. (When you get to Season 2, Episode 1, go back and read John 1:1-18 again. You will be moved to tears at how personal Jesus is for you. I can't wait to hear about this from everyone!)
Pray. Pray specifically for what God has in store for you over the next few days, weeks, months, year. Watch. Listen.
Week 3
4 glasses of juice per day, a dinner meal of strictly vegetables, a protein drink at lunchtime. Water all day long.
Keep reading one chapter of John.
Keep watching at least one episode of The Chosen.
Pray. Pray specifically for what God has in store for you over the next few days, weeks, months, year. Watch. Listen.
This is my personal journey. Choose one that is right for you.
One note I'd like to address: Biblical fasting is restricted to food. Others may "fast" from social media, hobbies, alcohol, etc. God set up fasting to include food. If you'd like to "abstain" from those other things, that sounds fantastic, but it's not a fast. Fasting is difficult at best and causes some days of physical suffering, but you will be SHOCKED at how God will pull you along. Some days, and this may sound crazy, you might not even feel hungry, and you will have to remember to go drink that glass of juice.
Days 2 and 5 are usually the hardest for me at first. It's like my body is saying, "ok, i know you probably forgot yesterday, but let's get back to this eating thing..." You'll have a couple of days when you don't think you can do it. YOU CAN WITH GOD! Cry out to Him. Once completed, you will have accomplished something you may have never thought you could. Your body will feel great, your soul will feel refreshed, and your relationship with Jesus will become closer than you ever expected.
ALSO, please comment on this blog each day or any day you feel encouraged or discouraged. Let's share together what verse hit you directly or how God revealed something to you. Some days will be harder while some days will be easier. Let's encourage each other. This is your personal fasting group! Welcome!
Get ready to fall in Love with Jesus in 21 days!
Comments
Missy - Update on Daya 4:
Ladies! Your comments have been so encouraging to me! I’m wondering now why I waited 4 years to invite others in. My initial thought on this was to keep it private because of what Jesus said about not letting others know you are living in sacrifice, not letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing. However, I realize now how important it is to encourage each other. Your words on these comments give me fresh looks at the scriptures and insight into your own lives (even though I know none of you). We all get to see your highs and lows.
Today has been the hardest for me thus far but still so rewarding. I somehow skipped Episode 3 (the one with the children), but by doing that and watching two episodes a day, it more perfectly aligned with reading John’s chapters. Nicodemus wrecks me. He’s become more personal to. me and how I was raised in the church. His conversation with Jesus is something I feel I would have done, given the opportunity of that day. His traditions and the way he kept “church laws” was so important to him that it was imbedded into his life AS his life. That can be so dangerous. Even when the Messiah himself was telling him who He was, he asked questions that were so elementary. Was he trying to understand more? Was he questioning the validity of his heritage? Was he now a true believer? Only God knows. We do know that he was one of two men who carried the body of Jesus to the tomb in later chapters. This gives me hope for so many around me.
What can we do to influence those around us? Live our faith out loud. Let others know that we not only know who the Messiah is, we KNOW HIM PERSONALLY!
Keep going, Ladies! This is super impressive!
Jan 04, 2025
Kimberly:
Day 3: It went okay. I am struggling in the evenings. Evenings are busy, and then there is supper. So I find myself being distracted with what’s going on with my family around me and at the same time I am hungry and the temptation is in front of me. But then I remember and draw to Him. And He pulled me through again, thank You, Father. I really had a moment at the kitchen sink last night! For real, for real.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” ~ John 3:30
I will be praying this verse alot the next couple of weeks.
Jan 04, 2025
Keshia Kincaid:
So surprised I made it through day 2, but already noticing more of God’s blessings that I don’t normally think about. I am also realizing that my hunger is more of a strong feeling than actual hunger. Praise God for his faithfulness!
Jan 04, 2025
Dezy:
Day 4- My initial thoughts were ‘ why didn’t I fast sooner?’ Fasting & gluttony isn’t something I hear of often but doing a fast had already been on my heart. Thanks Missy for giving me the push I needed. It’s hard and I’m hungry but it feels good to sacrifice for God. Yesterday I had broth while my family ate and that was difficult but once we got to talking, praying and reading the word, it was okay. Sadly, I had a cup of decaf coffee yesterday, justifying it in my mind that it was okay because it’s decaf but I quickly decided that it wasn’t whats best. This is supposed to be uncomfortable and that won’t happen by cutting corners to make this more manageable. I wanna do this right for him!
Due to my hypoglycemia, I’m eating 1 meal a day with no coffee or sodas. I drink juice, milk, broth & chew gum through out the rest of the day. I might even try some days with no meal and see how it goes 😊
Today in John 4, Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman, and I loved that episode on The Chosen (season 1 episode 8). I love how Jesus didn’t care what people thought when he was on earth and he loved everyone, including those that were considered unlovable. And he’s the same now.
Jan 04, 2025
Rebecca :
Day 2 finished- it wasn’t that bad today as I expected. The Lord has been au good to me and near bc I actually only drank 3 of the four drinks. I swapped two out with bone broth and normally I’d gag but good goodness the Lord blessed me bc it tasted like an amazing meal. John 2 was so good. I love how when you read the gospel accounts it’s like your can see the words popping off the page and being acted right in front of you… I think Jesus was smiling even these four men wrote the gospels bc He knew us ladies this month would be oh so blessed by it. Good night my dear sisters in Yeshua!
Jan 04, 2025
Susie:
We participate in the 21 days of prayer with the Highlands Church in Alabama/Georgia which starts this Sunday. I plan to start the 21 day fast on Sunday along with the focus on prayer each day. Thanks for laying this out in an easy to follow method. I have never fasted more than one meal a day so this may be challenging but I’m committed to seeing it through.
Jan 03, 2025
Patricia Maynard Flood:
Day 2 was great. I felt like I spent more time than usual in prayer. Kept my focus on God, rather than eating.
For me, it seems like my priorities need adjusting to look to things above and not care too much about what I will wear or what I will eat. God tells us in His Word that he will take care of our necessities, so we aren’t distracted from what really matters most.
Jan 03, 2025
Rebecca :
Good blessed morning y’all! I started the fast yesterday bc I saw the post midday on Jan 1 so I’m a day behind but still so very excited. Yesterday was okay. I read John 1 and just through out the day when food popped into my head I’d talk to God. The one thing I want the most is coffee or hot herbal tea. So I’ve got to be prayed up and eyes up to the Lord! I watched Chosen Ep 1&2 and as always I squalled with Mary. It blesses my heart every time to see how loved we are by our Creator and it isn’t on any of our own accord. Praise Him for mercy and grace!! Thank you for doing this fast Missy! Day 2/3- here we go!
Jan 03, 2025
Raquel:
My stepdaughter and I are starting this journey on Monday. I know it is late, but better late than never. We both wanted to start the new year diving more into God’s word, so we are very excited to start!
Jan 03, 2025
Kimberly:
Missy, I have a couple of questions:
1. When we break on the 8th, it’s just vegetables and no grains, correct?
2. For week 3, do you have protein drink suggestions, or does anyone else? After this, I don’t really want to bomb my system with artificial garbage. :(
Jan 03, 2025
Leave a comment