As 2011 comes to a closem a New Year with new opportunities awaits us. Are there things I can improve in this New Year? The
answer is an absolute Yes! For me to accomplish this I need clear eyes and a renewed spirit: Clear eyes for a vision in forus, and
a renewed spirit to love as Jesus loved! There's no better way to approach this task than with prayer and fasting. By holiday time each yearm I find myself needing sharpened and "tuned" once agian. This past summer, due to a storm, I needed to cut upa tree that had fallen in the field where I normally mow. One day I was trying to saw on the main trunk with my chainsaw but was having much difficulty. I quickly discovered the chain was dull and was in need of sharpeing. After my less-than-professional quick sharp, I was amazed how much better a chainsaw cuts through wood when it's sharpened! Just as dirt, rocks, and misuse dull a chain, this world and all its baggage dull my spirit. A renewed and focused prayer life help to sharpen my relationship with Jesus and fasting helps prune away the odd growth that hinders my effectiveness and fruitfulness. This attitude is what I need to follow through with what Paul taught in Romans 12:1 when he stated, " And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of al he has done for you . Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."
Not long ago, toe members of the same church participated in a 40 day prayer and fasting to seek God's will for their lives. One of the woman badly needed a kidney transplant, and at the end of the 40 day time of prayer and fasting, the other woamn felt strongly that God was leading her to donate her kidney to this other woman. People couldn't understand why, after all they weren"t even friends before that, one was white the other was black. Her response was simply, "she has a need and God has given me the ability to meet that need...that's what lovingeach other is all about." Fasting does bring results!
According to God's Word, there are three duties of everyChristian: give, pray and fast. Biblical fasting takes a lot of discipline and strength - strength whichyou can only recieve from God. When you give God your first through fasting, prayer and giving at the beginning of the year, you set the course for the entire year. Why should I fast?
1. Are you in need of healing or a miracle?
2.Do you need the tender touch of God in year life?
3. Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible?
4.Are you in need of a fresh encounter?
5. Do you desire a deeperm more initimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?
6. Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God?
7. do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?
8.Is there a friend ot loved ont that needs salvation?
9. Do you desire to know God's will for your life?
Matt. 6:2 " When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on the street corners and in the synagogues where
everyone can see them. I tell you the truth that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in provate. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Prayer and Fasting......
Full Fast- Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days)
The Daniel Fast- Eat no meat, no sweets and no bread. Drink water and juice.
Eat fruits and vegetables.
3- Day Fast
This can be a full fast,, Daniel Fast or at least giving up one food item.
