Message #3 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"The Deeper Life of Prayer"

by Kaye Johns

Although fasting is primarily associated with giving up food for a certain period of time, that is not the only way to fast. In a sense anything we give up to spend more time seeking the Lord can be considered a fast.

For instance, some fast from reading or from television. One of our friends gave up reading the newspaper for a period of time, and another gave up reading anything but the Bible for a while. Someone else gave up watching a favorite late night television show, when he realized it made him too tired to get up for his quiet time.

Whether we give up food or an activity we value, it is the attitude of our heart that is important. We relinquish the time we would spend eating or reading or watching television--or any other pleasure--to be with the Lord. Otherwise, we are simply going hungry, or without our usual activities. The purpose of a fast is to seek after God, to spend more time with Him in prayer and in His Word.

Fasting was a way of life throughout the Bible, and according to Jesus, it should be for us today [Matthew 6:16-18; 9:15]. It is not commanded, but if we neglect it, the loss is ours. Fasting is not an end in itself, but the means to an end--to a deeper prayer life and walk with our Lord.

Pray with me now -- Father, may we be willing to humble ourselves through fasting as Your Spirit leads. May our hearts be right, in Jesus’ name, amen.

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