“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
(Proverbs 29:20)

As we begin our churchwide fast this January 20th, it happens to coincide with Inauguration Day. Scripture has much to say about praying for those in positions of authority, whether we agree with their policies or not. As we begin this fast, let us take time today to spend time in the presence of the Lord and let us lift up to Him those who have been placed in authority over us and over our nation. Pray that God draws those who lead us to Himself. Pray that He gives them wisdom to lead and a heart that honors Him.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
(1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)

Heavenly Father, mighty King of the Universe! We acknowledge Your authority as the Sovereign Ruler over all! We know that it is You who raises up and You who brings low (Psalm 75:7), all authority has been established by You and serves at Your pleasure (Romans 13:1). We also know that You have called us to pray for those who are in places of authority over us, and so we ask You today LORD to draw our leaders to Yourself! Do a work in their hearts to bring them to You. Give them vision and wisdom to lead in righteousness and truth. Bless them exceedingly that they may be a blessing. May Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, and may Your Name be praised and glorified today! LORD we love You! It is in the mighty Name of Jesus that we pray, Amen!

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God”
(Psalm 42:1 NIV)

Today we begin our second day of fasting. We intentionally forego whatever God has placed on our hearts to abstain from during this time so that we can focus on Him, on His presence, and draw nearer to Him through it.

Use this time today, whatever it is that you are giving up for this season, whether it be food, social media, or something else, use the time that you would normally engage in or entertain those things to spend focused time with the LORD, practicing the presence of God.

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”
(Psalm 63:1 NIV)

Heavenly Father, Today I declare that I love You and I need You more than I love or need ___________. I am choosing today to fast this thing that I may rather spend this time on drawing near to You. As I do, I ask and know that You will draw near to me. (James 4:8) Deepen my affection for You and my relationship with You, that I may know You and love You more! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
(Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV)

Fasting is a way to humble ourselves before God. We forego what is good in exchange for what is best. In doing so we declare our need for God above all else.

As you enter this third day of fasting, spend time thanking Him for all that He has blessed you with and acknowledge before Him that the greatest blessing is the blessing of Himself.

“After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” 
(Genesis 15:1 NIV)

Heavenly Father, I am thankful before You today! I give honor and glory and praise to Your holy Name! Father, today I ask that You would give me my daily bread. Provide for my physical needs, yes, but above even my physical need, I ask that You provide me with the bread of Your presence. I confess that “‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4). Lord Jesus, I believe and know that You are the Bread that came down from heaven, and those who come to You “will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
(Matthew 16:24 NIV)

Fasting is a way that we can practice self control and impulse control. The spiritual discipline of fasting helps us to learn to be in better possession of ourselves instead of being controlled by the flesh and at the whim of its every fancy. In learning to deny the good and necessary needs of the body, we gain greater control over our fleshy impulses, so that when our flesh is drawn after the things of the sinful nature we are better disciplined to withstand. Fasting, therefore, is a way to exercise and strengthen one's resolve so that when temptation comes we are able to deny ourselves and follow Christ in obedience.

“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
(1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NIV)

Heavenly Father, I am grateful before You today for all that You have accomplished for me and all that You will to accomplish in me and through me! Great is Your Name and Your faithfulness in all the earth. LORD, I pray today that as I draw near to You and seek to put my flesh in submission through this fast, as I choose to deny myself, that You would use it to develop in me strength and perseverance that I would be able to stand in the moment of temptation. As I practice this discipline I ask that You would give me a greater understanding and reliance upon You, for I know that through You all things are possible, and in You I can have the victory! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
(Psalm 55:22 NIV)

Today is the fifth day of our fast, the halfway point. Perhaps it has been a struggle to this point, or maybe things have gotten more difficult over the last few days. Let me encourage you today, if you have made it this far you can make it the rest of the way. I know this because God’s word tells me that He is able to sustain you! So take heart! God is able, He is more than capable, and He will strengthen you. Persist, because through the struggle you will be blessed, because you will see the power of God at work in you, His strength in your weakness!

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

Heavenly Father, I seek to draw near to you through this time of fasting. I will endure with gladness of heart because I know that in the midst You are with me and Your hand will guide me and strengthen me” LORD, draw near to me, comfort me, reveal Yourself to me. I want to know You more! In the blessed Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

‘“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.’
(1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV)

Fasting involves denying oneself what is good temporarily in pursuit of gaining what is best. We all need food to survive, but we can for short periods of time deny ourselves food in order to focus more intentionally on prayer and our relationship with God.

Fasting is about learning to exercise mastery over our flesh. When we learn to control our natural impulses we are learning to take control of ourselves rather than allowing our flesh to control us.

As you fast today, have this mindset in you, “I have the right to do anything… but I will not be mastered by anything.” I am the master of my flesh, not the other way around.

Heavenly Father, give me strength to put my flesh in submission that I may focus better on You and learn to be in possession of myself. You have called me to be an overcomer. Help me to overcome my flesh. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
(Luke 4:4 NIV)

As you continue your fast today I encourage you to get alone and spend time in God’s Word. Food sustains our physical bodies but the Word of God sustains our souls!

Read the account of Jesus in the wilderness from Luke 4. In this chapter of Scripture Jesus fasts and prays and uses God’s Word to combat the attacks and temptations of the devil.

Scripture must be a central part of every believer’s life. It is the life blood that sustains us, the light that guides us, the truth that offers us hope, and it is the way that God Himself has chosen to reveal Himself to us. Spend time in His presence today!

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
(Psalm 119:11 NIV)

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word! As I chose today to fast from ________, I do so to draw closer to You and to fill up on Your Word and in Your presence. Your Word is my daily bread. Let Your Word fill me and sustain me today! In Jesus Name, Amen.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
(Matthew 26:41 NIV)

As you enter the eighth day of your fast, consider this, you are learning to put your flesh and natural impulse under control and make them subservient to your will as you submit your will to Christ.

Fasting is about more than simply denying oneself something, like food. It is about learning to control yourself. Keep that principle in mind and look for other areas of your life that you need to learn to exercise control. Begin to relate your fast to those other areas where you may be more compulsive and less disciplined. God has called you to have dominion and has given you the strength to choose your path and your actions rather than allowing cravings or compulsion to have dominion over you. 

Ask yourself this, ‘What am I allowing to have control over me?’ Is it addiction? Is it compulsion? Is it habit or overindulgence? Lay it down and give it to the Lord. There is freedom in surrender.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
(Galatians 5:24 NIV)

Heavenly Father, thank you for freeing me from the bondage of my sins through the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. I believe and know that in Him I have all the strength and authority that I need to exercise dominion over the self and to put myself in submission. Grant me strength today to set aside the things that seek to hold me captive. In You I have been freed. In Jesus Name, Amen.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
(Philippians 4:11-13 NIV)

Over the last several days we have looked at one of the important aspects of fasting… gaining control over the flesh. We have talked about how the flesh needs food to survive, and yet we can deny ourselves food for a season and live. If you are fasting food, even if it is just one meal a day, by now you have probably noticed that the flesh complains against this denial. The flesh desires food. The flesh also desires comfort. If we are honest with ourselves, we can probably all agree, we do not like to suffer. We are creatures of comfort and ease.

Fasting is not only a way to gain control over our flesh but also a way to understand or perceive that we do not always need to satisfy it with absolute comfort. Consider this, as you look for other areas of your life where the flesh seeks to be in comfort… We don't always have to have the seat on the bus… or the soft cushion in the group of chairs… we can stand that others may sit… we can choose the hard seat that others may have the cushioned seat. The flesh certainly will not thank us, but we are not called to cater to the flesh, we are called to have dominion over it.

Heavenly Father, help me to be content in any and every situation. I seek to please You and not my flesh. As I continue my fast, help me gain perspective. Help me see that when I have You I have everything! In Jesus Name, Amen.