Today will be a difficult day.

The hunger you feel becomes significant and distracting. You might feel dizzy or lack energy. If this happens, sip hot tea. Take communion using the recipe I provided on Sunday. Stay strong enough that your purpose remains crystal clear.

Ask the Lord for a WORD for your life this year. Many receive a word for their year. It’s as though heaven proclaims the purpose and the lessons for the next season. I’m always amazed at the words that have been given in years past. But especially amazed at how they become very relevant.

I’m seeking a word today.

Share with me your word for the year in the comments.

Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16

Jeanne here. Blessings to you and your family during this season of new things!

I grew up in a tradition that “fasted” during Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter.  I did it, but I never really knew what the point was.  Later after I became a believer, I fasted for various reasons, mostly trying to get God to do something in my life or a loved one’s life. I thought if I gave up something it would earn me more favor with God, or at least remind me to pray for that cause.

In the past several years, I have learned another purpose for fasting.  It relates to our identity as spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23).  Each human is an eternal spirit, who has a soul (mind, will, and emotions), and lives in this earth in a body. Many scriptures describe the tension between spirit and flesh. (Galatians 5 is a great chapter on this topic.)  Briefly, our born-again spirit has been renewed and made perfect by faith in Jesus, but our soul/mind and our flesh/body are still subject to sin.  To put it simply, my spirit is holy, perfect, and blameless, but my flesh is all about me, myself, and I.  

In Matthew 17 there’s a story about a boy severely afflicted by a demon, whose father brought him to Jesus’ disciples (while Jesus, Peter, James, and John were on the mountain.)  The disciples were not able to cast the demon out, but when Jesus came, he did.

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

I believe the “this kind” that Jesus refers to is this kind of unbelief, not necessarily this kind of demon.  Either way, the principle is the same: to operate fully in the authority Jesus intends for us requires prayer and fasting. 

When we fast, we choose to believe God’s word over our own feelings.  This is essential to maturing in faith, and to bringing ourselves in line with God’s kingdom.  When we go without food, our bodies will say, “You must feed me now!” The process of choosing not to give in to the desire for food strengthens our ability to resist all sorts of temptations.  Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4) and “I have food to eat of which you do not know” (John 4:32).  We can trust that God will sustain us through our fast.   Fasting helps us focus our attention on God and his kingdom rather than our own physical circumstances.  Every time we choose to seek the Kingdom instead of giving in to our flesh, we strike a blow against the enemy.  Fasting is very powerful in the spiritual realm.

I find it especially effective to combine fasting with taking Communion.  I set up a supply of unleavened bread and juice, and every morning during my fast, I spend time with Jesus in a very real way through the bread and wine.  There are dozens of scriptures to dwell on, and each time I receive communion, I unpack one or two of these.  I also actively receive the life and power that Jesus intended for us through this meal.  I often pray and make declarations for the people in my life during this time.

Below I have included a listing of 30+ Scriptures that deal with the power of Communion and our unity with Jesus.  Whether or not you are fasting, I encourage you to take time to dwell on the bountiful feast to which we have been invited!  Also, please share in the comments the reasons and ways that you fast.  Be blessed!

• • Exodus 12:13
  • Leviticus 17:11
  • Deuteronomy 8:3
  • Isaiah 53:5
  • Zechariah 9:11
  • Matthew 26:26-27
  • Mark 14:22-24
  • Luke 22:19-20
  • John 6:33-53, 17:13-25
  • Acts 2:46
  • Romans 3:25, 5:9, 6:5, 7:4, 8:11
  • 1 Cor 10:16-17, 11:23-26
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • Galatians 2:20
  • Ephesians 1:7, 2:13
  • Colossians 1:20
  • Hebrews 9:14, 9:20-22, 10:10, 10:19, 13:20
  • 1 John 1:7, 2:2, 5:8
  • Revelation 3:20, 7:14, 12:11, 19:9

DAY ONE

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. Daniel 10:1-4

If you need a powerful motivator to fast, THIS IS IT!

Now, GET THIS. The God of the Universe, responds to Daniel’s humility:

Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. -Daniel 10:12

THIS is possible for us. I BELIEVE THIS.

God responded immediately to Daniel’s prayer. But it took 21 days for the forces of God to triumph over evil and deliver the revelation that Daniel was seeking.

THIS story is a true depiction of spiritual warfare that is continually in action all around us. I believe the context of this story is powerfully revealing to us the spiritual discipline of… persistence.

I just wonder if it was Daniel’s growing hunger pangs, purpose to persist in discomfort, and his continue petitions that allowed the angelic breakthrough over the second heaven’s principalities?? I wonder if you see it this way?

This story in the WORD is our power. We can do this. We can fast until the revelation comes. So, today, begin your fast and ASK for the revelation you need. The understanding, wisdom, strategies and the greater audience with the King through fasting, humility and prayer.

In the comments, let me know your thoughts about all of this. See you tomorrow. Hugs. Lynn

Fast 2022

I’m convinced that any type of fast we offer the Lord, opens up the prayer line to our Father. However, a genuine food fast, in the manner that Jesus speaks, is truly life-changing.

Today, set your mind to fast with all of us.

The fast begins Monday, January 3^rd at sunup. Fasting concluded on Friday, January 7^th at sundown. If at all possible, fast solid foods through the entire week. End the week with the Lord’s Supper (Recipe below).

Or offer a daily fast from solid foods from sunup to sundown, taking the Lord’s Supper at the end of the day (recipe below).

Or fast sun-up and then a small meal at night with the family. And finally, I urge you, fast time away from your phone and devices. Avoid television if you can and put your phone down. Don’t take your phone into your quiet time (this is a reminder to myself, ack!!!).

Fasting is a humbling process. It’s not arm twisting the Lord. But when we are humbled, our prayers become the loudest. Humility and honor are the keys to an audience with the King.

In addition to fasting. Get a large candle. Light it each morning and leave it in a room where you will see the flame flickering often. Each time you see the flame, pray.

Prayer prompts:

Jesus, what is your favorite thing about me?

Jesus, what word are you speaking over my life in this season?

Jesus, how can I pray with more effectiveness for my family? Home, Church, City, Nation?

Jesus, what areas exist in my life that give our enemy legal rights to oppress me? My children? My Spouse? Nation?

Jesus, how to I gain freedom in these areas?

Okay, finally, in the comments, I want you to state to the enemy: I AM PRAYING AND FASTING.

Here is the recipe. Thank you for my great friend, Jeanne Ritari! Jean, you ROCK! I’ve made this bread and it truly will bring you closer to the reality of communion and the love of Jesus.

Unleavened Bread

• 1 cup warm milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• Pinch of salt

Oven 400 F/ 200 C

Warm the milk and dissolve the honey in it.  In a medium bowl, stir the flour into the milk and add a pinch of salt.  Combine well and knead very briefly (only enough to incorporate the flour.)

Divide dough into 6 or 8 equal parts.  Form each part into a ball and pat or roll into a rough circle.  Divide into four or six triangles using a knife or pizza cutter.  Place on a baking sheet (I use parchment paper to avoid sticking.)  Repeat with all the balls of dough (you may need more than one baking sheet.)  Prick all the discs several times with a fork.

Place the baking sheet in a hot oven for 15 minutes.  Remove and let cool.  Store in refrigerator (it keeps for several days), or wrap unused portion well and freeze until needed. 

Hello,

All who hunger for more of God this year. As we fast this week, I'll offer a few fasting points to consider.

1. Let your family know. Set up this week for the best success. Let your family know you are staying out of the kitchen. Help them to help themselves to meals. Let your spouse know you are fasting and ask his/her support to help them feed themselves. And ask them to refrain from tempting you.
2. Have plenty of filtered water on hand. Have juices on hand and even a cracker if you feel faint.
3. Give yourself grace. If you fall off one day, start again the next. Do the best that you can.
4. Pray, pray and pray. Even if you don't fast. Pray. This praying at the beginning of the year is powerful and leads into 12 months of living life in His will.

Okay, See you tomorrow.

Lynn Donovan

Jesus is King!