Philippians 3:10-11 MSG — I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

Fasting can occur at any time, not just during the time of Lent. Years ago I applied and interviewed for a particular job. After several days passed without hearing the result of the interview, I felt led to pray and fast so I could clearly hear God’s direction. I chose to give up coffee. If you know me well you know how much I enjoy coffee so giving it up was a drastic measure, but isn’t that what a fast should be? Shouldn’t it be something that is a sacrifice and an act of self-denial? In the meantime, I decided when the fast was over I would invest in a coffee machine with a carafe instead of using one that used single serve pods. A friend had an extra pot she said I could have. The days seemed to move by slowly. I waited day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute and during the time that seemed to never end, I fasted and prayed. I decided to go ahead and pick up the coffee pot from my friend even though I knew I wouldn’t use it until I had an answer about the job and ended my fast. As I walked into my house with the coffee pot, I received the phone call informing me I didn’t get the job. What perfect timing God has when He answers prayers! I could have been heartbroken and devastated that I didn’t get the job, but instead I had peace. I have no doubt I was at peace because I had spent so much time talking to God about the job. As it turns out, because I took a chance on that job, I later was offered my current job. Go God!

Have you ever fasted? What did you fast and what were your reasons for fasting? Did you grow closer to God through your act of fasting? 

Let’s pray. Dear Father, thank You for the sacrifices made by Your Son Jesus Christ for me. Open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to receive Your individual message for me about fasting. Prepare me to receive Your will for me and may I respond as You would have me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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