At the beginning of each year, many churches invite people to join in a corporate fast. My church does it for the first week of the new year. Some churches do it for twenty one days. We are invited to participate with fellow believers to tithe the first part of the year resetting our focus toward God.
Each person is asked to join in how they wish. Some folks fast one meal each day. Others do the Daniel fast, where they abstain from and rich and sweet foods. It is entirely between the person and God.
I have now joined in for the last 4 years and it has made a huge impact on the rest of my year. It makes me more spiritually sensitive and hungry for more of God. In previous years, I have carried it forward to the rest of the year, and set aside a time each month, to do a 3 day fast. Jesus said in Matthew 6:16, “when you fast”, not “if” you fast. Sounds important to me! Sometimes, I feel the nudge from the Spirit to add a fast in for something specific during the year while praying for someone or something.
I am astounded each time how hard it can be to deny my cravings. “If I don’t have my mid-morning snack, I’m going to die!” Good! I need to die to self, because my self needs a break from my self! It has way too much say in my life and I need to fast to turn control back over to Jesus.
Hearing testimonies of how fasting and praying have made a difference in fellow believers lives, also shows me how important and meaningful this discipline is.
So put down the cookie and join me and all of the other believers who are showing their hunger for things of God!
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God Still Speaks 
I do like a good cookie. But I love God even more.
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Yup, me too!
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Choc chip cookies or knowing more of God…there is no contest, give me more of Him every time! Having said that, I have never fasted for spiritual reasons, but I have fasted due to my health in the past.
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I love it! Great devotional message.
I abstained from dating and fasted for God to bring me a wife on and off for three years.
I regularly prayed for her safety, faith, and health even though I didn’t even know her yet.
I remember specifically when God spoke to my heart and said to stop fasting, she’s on her way.
I did that and she arrived within the year…turns out the Christian school where she worked suddenly closed (thank you Lord) and she was forced to find work many states away where she had never been before…right to the church I was attending and our school ministry.
That was eight years ago, to God be the glory.🙂🔥
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I love hearing testimonies of God’s goodness! This is so good!
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I have learned that “out of sight, out of mind” works to some extent, but as you point out, when I am researching for my writing and busily trying to stay on target while writing, I am keeping my eyes on Jesus and I do not even get tempted to eat a snack, and sometimes forget to have lunch. Feasting on God’s Word can do that.
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I 100% agree with that!
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Thank you. I have seen a few posts about other people starting the year with prayer and fasting and some churches doing a 21 day fast. It’s not something our church or other churches I have been part of do so thank you for sharing. Fasting is so important as you say but seems mostly overlooked other than around Lent.
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I know and it is a shame for it is so powerful. Plus like I said in the post, Jesus said when not if.
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Ooooo! I just looked and I’ve been joining my church in this since 2021, the same year I started the “One Year through the Bible.” These have been tremendous additions to my walk with God.
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What a terrific idea! I may have to ask my congregation to try this next year.
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I’ve joined with them for the last four years and it really has had an impact on us all!
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