Personal Example of Fasting

Let me share a personal example from a time I fasted and prayed.  I was in Huntsville, and I was seeking vision for the church where I served as pastor.  The church was an incredible place, with great people, but it was in the midst of a huge transition, and I knew that if we didn’t do something soon it was going to close its doors in the years to come.

I entered a prolonged fast with one single goal…vision for the church.  About halfway through the fast I was sitting in our living room in the early hours of the morning and writing out my prayer.  In the midst of seeking God for vision to lead the church I clearly heard God speak…it was louder than audible!  I’ve had very few times where God spoke as clearly as He did that night.  He simply said, “I’m not giving you a vision for that church.”

I immediately asked, “Is that you God?”  He repeated the sentence, and I simply asked, “Why not?”  Good question don’t you think?!  He said, “I’m not giving you a vision for that church because I’m about to send you somewhere else.”  It was as clear as day…the vision I was seeking wasn’t coming.

That was January of 2001…in July of that same year I was preaching my first sermon at FBC Pell City.  The church in Huntsville hung around for a few more years but eventually gave their property over to another church which is now thriving.

My point is simple…in the midst of a fast God spoke to me very clearly.  I wasn’t seeking to leave that church.  I loved it, I loved Huntsville, and I loved the pastor friends I had there, but God had other plans for me.  Fasting sharpens our spiritual eyes and ears and enables us to give more time to seeking God.  It requires us to deny ourselves, but when I fasted for a long time, I simply lifted up this prayer every time I felt hunger, “God, let me hunger for you like I’m hungering for food.”
I will say this about fasting for a prolonged time…21-40 days…after a period of time, usually 7-10 days, your body will be rid of all the toxins from the stuff we feed it, and you’ll find yourself more alert than you’ve every been.  You’ll think more clearly and while it sounds crazy…you’ll lose your hunger pains and love being with God.  In fact, every single time I’ve fasted for a long time I’ve mourned having to go back to food.

Start slow, seek wisdom—especially if you have medical issues—but one day a week, maybe three days, and lead up to longer fasts.  You’ll never regret it IF you spend that time seeking God.

(If you want to talk about this in greater detail, email me at pastorjct@yahoo.com or call the church and let's set up a time.)