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| ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : What is Spiritual Fasting? | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Is Fasting Relevant in a Covenant of Grace? | | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Close.gif) | Many Christians are unfamiliar with spiritual fasting. Some believe that fasting is an Old Testament tradition neither required nor relevant to the New Testament grace under which we now live. In truth, however, fasting is a necessary though underutilized spiritual discipline that Jesus addressed right along with giving and prayer (reference Matthew 6). Fasting was never replaced, rescinded, or superseded in the New Testament, and it is not just Old Testament legalism. Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament, not to render it irrelevant. As Randy Alcorn so eloquently stated in Money, Possessions & Eternity, "Being under grace does not mean living by lower standards than the law." In fact, Jesus assumed that we believers would fast. Jesus said, "When you fast" (Matthew 6:16) not "if you fast".
The verses below emphasize that we are saved by grace, not by works. Fasting, like prayer, is a spiritual tool that believers should use not to earn righteousness but to embrace it.
"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing." (Galatians 2:21)
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." (Romans 14:17-18)
"But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do." (1 Corinthians 8:8) looking to cheat click how to tell if wife has cheated my spouse cheated on me now what click want to cheat on my wife women who cheat on their husbands femchoice.org i dream my husband cheated on me married woman wants cheat site what causes women to cheat adult porn stories mom and son tolobel.com tamil sex stories readable abortion cost link are abortions free your pharmacy card coupon free walgreens coupons photo in store walgreens online coupon codes site walgreens prints coupon codes
| ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Fasting: Superficial or Supernatural? | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Fast Unto the Lord, Not Unto Men | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Who Fasted in the Bible? | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Are There Different Kinds of Fasts? | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : How Do I Fast Unto the Lord in Today's World? | | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Close.gif) | Some wonder, "How do I fast while continuing to work, take care of my family, and just live life in general?" When you put the Lord first, He supernaturally and divinely orders your day so that you are able to accomplish the important things according to His will. The urgent no longer overshadows the important, and things that seemed pressing suddenly fall away, no longer significant in His great kingdom plan. This means that the Lord will give you the grace, energy, and sustenance to care for your essential responsibilities while you are fasting. Necessary work and caring for your family fits the category of "essential responsibilities". The key is to prioritize the Lord above all else, to seek His guidance in all things, and to trust Him every step of the way. You must also have the courage and obedience to forsake opportunities and tasks on your list if God's priorities prove different from yours.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
| ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : The Compassion of Jesus and the Purpose of this Fast | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : I'm Afraid to Fast! | | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Close.gif) | Only through the strength of God and His direction are we truly able to fast in a way that is acceptable and pleasing to Him. He desires that we all experience a deep, abiding relationship that only comes from Him. This intimate walk with God requires faith not fear.
Perhaps you feel overwhelmed by or fearful of fasting. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Then, listen for His still, small voice. No matter in your life is unimportant to Him, and He will guide you. First, though, you have to silence the distractions that often crowd out your time with Him and compete with His voice.
Remember that a Christian spiritual fast is not a contest; you need not compare yourself or your experience to another. It's not the number of days that you fast or even the number of meals that you fast that matters; the Lord honors the act of humbling yourself in true repentance. He wants your heart, not your stomach!
Our faithful God will prepare you for the task that you have been called to. You have been chosen to be in an intimate relationship with Him. This time of feasting on the Word of God is meant to draw you to the feet of Jesus and there you will find the peace that passes understanding.
There is no reason to fear when God is leading, especially when that path leads you out of the darkness and uncertainty of this earthly life and directs you to His very presence and into the embrace of His awesome love. We should not fear this path, but anticipate it with joy and longing for every moment we have to spend with our most gracious Heavenly Father.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9)
"Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD." (Psalm 4:5)
| ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : How Fasting Relates to the The Great Commandment | | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Close.gif) | The Great Commandment, as Jesus replied to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:37-38 is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."
Fasting, as outlined in Isaiah 58, accomplishes both the first and second greatest commandments and also highlights the "true" fast (indicated by actions representative of Christ's character) as opposed to the "legalistic" fast (indicated by actions representative of arrogant, sinful, and unrepentant human hearts). looking to cheat click how to tell if wife has cheated is my husband cheated on me open i almost cheated on my husband
| ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : True Fasting as Detailed in Isaiah 58 | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Isn't Fasting Practiced by Other Religions (and By Those with No Religion?) | | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Close.gif) | Trumpet and Torch promotes only Christian spiritual fasting. Yes, other religions do fast, and yes, some people fast for purposes that have nothing to do with faith of any kind.
While some may fast because their beliefs demand the discipline and others may fast for a variety of earthly reasons, Christians fast exclusively unto our Creator God, the Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As such, our fasting intentions and efforts are divinely blessed for"... the LORD looks at the heart" (reference 1 Samuel 16:7) and "...motives are weighed by the LORD" (reference Proverbs 16:2).i think my husband cheated steveperks.com my husband cheated on me blog married woman wants cheat site what causes women to cheat
| ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Why Fast Now? | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Corporate and Intercessory Fasting | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : 2008 Lenten Fast | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : I'm a Pastor; How Do I Get My Congregation Involved? | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : I'm a Parent; How Do I Include My Children in this 40-Day Journey? | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Have Additional Questions, or Need More Information? | | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Close.gif) | Should you have additional or specific questions about fasting, please e-mail us. We would welcome the opportunity to hear from you. May God bless your faithfulness!
| ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Have Additional Questions or Need More Information? | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : This is My First Fasting Experience; What Should I Expect? | | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Close.gif) |
Blessings to you for responding faithfully and obediently to the call to fast and pray! More than just a way to experience a spiritual breakthrough, fasting, in its purest sense, is honoring Holy God by setting aside every earthly encumbrance in order to prioritize Him above all else. The most important thing is to seek the Lords will and His guidance for your fast. (See Psalm 16:7, 32:8; Isaiah 48:17, 58:11). Not everyone is called to fast in the same way, and, you may be called to modify your fast, especially during extended periods of fasting.
If the Lord calls you to something, He will supernaturally protect and sustain you. If youre doing it in your own strength, however, you do not necessarily have that same Divine covering. Some fleshly weakness is normal, but extreme distress is not.
Make an effort to discern the Lords call from the enemys lie, and recognize the Lords will from your own idea. Do not compare yourself to others; fasting is not a competition. Some may be called to fast only on water, some only on liquids, and some only on healthy solid foods. The Lord can impress any kind of combination of those upon your heart depending upon your particular situation and your particular needs. (Please see Are There Different Kinds of Fasts? in our FAQs as well as Meal Planning on our Family Time page.)
We encourage you to contact us to share your praise reports and prayer requests. Also, please contact us with any additional questions that you may have.
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| ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Legalism and the Liquid Fast | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : I Feel So Weak! What Should I Do? | | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Close.gif) | Some fleshly weakness is normal; extreme distress is not. Again, take it to the Lord in prayer, and truly submit to His leading. The Lord is good; He will guide you! Pride is the antithesis of fasting. You do not want to willfully decide for yourself how you are going to fast, and neither do you want to intentionally draw attention to your fast. Falling down the staircase is not a very compelling testimony for fasting unto the Lord! In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus cautioned, " 'When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men that they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, Who is unseen; and your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward You.' "
You may have extenuating circumstances, which necessitate a modification of your fast. If youve been ill, for example, or if you have a physically demanding job, --whatever your circumstances--look to the Lord to lead you to the proper nutritional balance for your particular situation. Our abstinence of food should not be the focus for us, or for anyone else who is witnessing our Christian walk. Our love of--and complete surrender to--Jesus Christ should be hallmark of our fast and the standard of our lives.
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| ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : How to use this website for fasting and prayer | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | Fasting | : : Recommended Books on Fasting and Revival | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | The Process of Repentance | : : The Most Holy Week | ![](/images/MagnifyGlass_Open.gif) | The Process of Repentance - The Most Holy Week | |
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