Need Direction?

Fasting brings humility and direction.

"Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer." - Ezra 8:21,23

In what areas of your life are you needing God's direction? Take a time to ask God for direction during this fast. It is when we fast that God begins to open up His plan for our lives!

When you fast, prepare yourself physically for mental discomforts such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety. Expect physical disccomforts. You may experience dizziness, headaches, and different kinds of pains. The headaches are not a sign to stop fasting! Your body is working to cleanse itself of impurities.

Do not get discouraged....BREAKTHROUGHS often come AFTER a fast, not during it.

I want to encourage each of you to buy a journal and write in it during the fast. Write down the vision.

Without a vision (a clear prayer goal) the people perish. During a fast, have four or five prayer goals that are clearly articulated. If you are not motivated by a clear goal, fasting is much more difficult. Write down your vision, so you can run with it (Habakkuk 2:2).

Nehemiah fasted before he approached the king to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 9).

• They humbled themselves with fasting.
• They confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
• They read from the Word of God for one-fourth of the day.
• They confessed and worshiped the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day.

Humble yourself this fast - God will bring direction.

"For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones..." - Isaiah 57:15

What are you fasting for this January? What do you need God to do?

pcraig