01.12.22 | Learning Through Fasting
During today’s fasting and prayer focus, we will spend time asking God what He wants us to learn through our time of fasting this week.
After spending time in appreciation to God, ask Him what He wants to reveal to you today through fasting. A typical and easy structure to follow, if you need some guidance, can be found on Practicing the Way – a compilation of practical and accessible resources for all apprentices of Jesus.
As you fast, consider whether any of the following apply to you:
- To repent: Is there something from which you need to repent? Is there a sin in your life in need of contemplation and forgiveness?
- To grieve: Is there something you need to grieve? Have you experienced a loss that you need to hold before the Lord in prayer and fasting, grieving with God’s Spirit? This can be something in your immediate life – such as a loved one, a job, a relationship, or a failed plan you once held close – or something outside of your own situation – such as a natural disaster, a school shooting, war, racism, global violence against women, or some other current event.
- To cry out in crisis: Are you in or on the brink of a crisis and need God’s intervention?
- To change God’s mind in a situation: Is there an area of your life in which you want to see reality change? Do you need to wrestle with God about something in your life?
- To know God’s mind in a decision: Is there an area of confusion in your life about which you’d like to hear God’s thoughts? Are you in the midst of making a big decision and desperately need to hear what God wants to happen?
To end your time, journal about what came to mind, what you spent time in prayer over, and what prompting you may have heard from the Lord.
Additionally, if you are reading this, we would love to hear your feedback regarding our fasting prompts. Please consider sending an email to Tobi Grunick, responding with why you fast and/or if there is anything that would be helpful for you as we seek to offer guidance in fasting.