As the new year comes, many of us try to be intentional about setting goals and reevaluating things in our lives. We pick a word of the year to guide us and we often declare that the new year will be one of actualization for us, where we will become our best selves and reach all our goals.
But sometimes we leave God out of the process. We make our plans and then ask God to bless it rather than asking the Lord to lead and direct the plans. In order to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our lives, we must invite Him in.
Over the years, my process has been fairly simple. I try to spend as much time as possible in God’s presence. For me, that looks like fasting* (abstaining from food) for a selected periods of time and replacing meal times with prayer, scripture study and worship. It does not have to be complicated. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you set the times. How much time do you want me to spend in prayer and fasting as I go into the new year? How long should I fast and pray? As I ask these questions, I have a journal ready to record what the Holy Spirit speaks to me.
Jeremiah 33:3 says “Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish. (Amplified)
Fasting is not something most people enjoy because we enjoy food so much! The Hebrew word for fasting means to abstain from food; to cover over the mouth; the mouth being shut. Many of our best moments in life are connected to food and its hard to turn the plate over.
Fasting allows your spirit to rise up and be more connected with the spirit of God. When we are full, we are sluggish, lazy, and most times, not thinking about being with the Lord. When you fast, you are humbled and God begins to show you who you are and the things that need to be dealt with for spiritual growth. When you fast, you are reminded that you need more than physical food. Your body and soul also need spiritual food to be sustained. The benefits of fasting and prayer are tremendous and beneficial for spiritual discipline.
Fasting should not be seen as a quick way to get answered prayers. Instead it is humbling ourselves, turning down our plate, intentionally tuning out other voices to hear the voice of the Lord and to draw closer to Him. It is a way to build a more intimate relationship with the Lord. It is a time for God to examine or hearts and shift our perspective. It is a time for repentance. In the process of these things, we bring our requests to Him. Isaiah 58 tells us what our goals and objectives are during a fast:
- To loose the bands of wickedness
- To undo the heavy burdens
- To set the oppressed free
- To break every yoke
- To share our bread and clothes with the hungry
As we do these things, we are promised:
- Thy light shall break forth
- Your health shall spring forth speedily
- Your righteousness will go before you and the Lord will reward you.
- The Lord will hear your prayers
- The darkness in your life will be as light
- The Lord will guid you and satisfy you in droughts
- The Lord will rebuild and restore your old waste places
Matthew 6:16-18 tells us how we should carry ourselves when we fast. That we do it unto the Lord, not unto man. We do not look somber, just to be praised by man. We are to go to the Father in secret, for the rewards that only He can give.
Here are a few people who fasted in the Bible:
Esther fasted for before she approached King Xerxes without an invitation. She received the King’s favor and Mordecai was rewarded for his efforts that were going unseen. (Esther 4:16)
Moses fasted. After fasting, the Lord allowed him to write the Ten Commandments on the tablets. (Exodus 34:28)
Daniel fasted for his people and Gabriel brought an answer. (Daniel 9)
Nehemiah fasted when he heard about the condition of the city of Jerusalem. He asked the Lord for favor to go before the King and it was granted (Nehemiah 1). He also fasted in Nehemiah 9 as Israel repented of their sins and he asked for mercy.
Jesus fasted and was able to overcome the devil when he was tempted. (Luke 4:2-4) Jesus spoke about fasting to his disciples (Matthew 17:14-21).
Many other men and women of God fasted and prayed and received breakthrough and answers to prayers.
Here are some suggestions for fasting*:
1. End the Year with fasting and prayer. Start the year with fasting and prayer. Incorporate fasting and prayer into your life. Don’t wait for special occasions to fast.
Fasting & Prayer (abstaining from food for a set time) (ie 6am- 6pm; 6am- 3pm) is a great way to start. Focus on reading the Bible and praying, worshipping during normal meal times. Start with 3 days, 7 days, or longer. If you are doing it weekly, select a day of the week that you will dedicate to the Lord.
As your body gets acclimated to specific fasts, stretch your faith by shifting the types of fast (dry fast, water only fast, extend the times / number of days)
2. Spending uninterrupted time with God. I find that early morning before everyone else wakes up is a great time. Put your phone on Do not disturb and study scripture, pray, sing to the Lord.
*If you have medical issues/concerns, check with your doctor to receive medical advice.
What does your year end process look like? What challenges do you face with either of these?
