We can learn a few things from Jesus’ experience in the wilderness to make our own fast successful:
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted and eaten nothing for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.” (from Matthew 4: 1-4, Luke 4: 1-4)
He was full of the Spirit. Keep a serious and spiritual mindset. Ask His Spirit to empower you to follow through.
He was physically hungry. Choose something that actually hurts to give up. Deny physical or emotional crutches the power to distract.
He was tempted but did not disobey God. He was perfect. You will experience temptation, but if you give in, just ask forgiveness and start again.
He had Scripture verses at the ready. Spend more time in the word than usual. Research Scripture verses that will apply to you and your reason for fasting.
He focused on being fed by the Word. When He was tempted, it was the Word of God and hearing His words that sustained Him.
So, prepare for your time of fasting with Scriptures, with a heart empty of self and full of the Spirit, and an anticipation of being sustained by God Himself.
How does fasting work? When we come up against the thing we are fasting, we will intentionally say “No, not today, I’m fasting.” We want to explore our hunger for this thing, and ask ourselves, “What does this feel like?” We will then actively turn our faces away from it and towards God. There will be a space left when we say, “No.” Fill it with His words. Let the hunger we feel for this thing be replaced by a hunger for God: “What might He say to me? What is He thinking? How is He feeling about me and my situation? What does the Bible say about it?” We want to seek satisfaction in Him and His words instead of satisfaction in the thing.
Do this for at least 30 days and see a new habit of spiritual hunger start to take place!
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30 Day Fast: The Habit of Spiritual Hunger
Dearest Jesus, You experienced temptation and fought it with the Word. Fill me with Your Word to do the same. Help me make a space for You in my heart when I say, “No.” I know You will fill it and speak to me. Amen.
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