When You Fast...Matthew 6:16ff

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!