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It’s Not All About Food... 2010 Fasting and Prayer Vickie Mincey-Thompson by Lynda Anderson It’s not all about the food -- Seeking God and “taking out the trash”. Daniel’s reason for abstaining from certain foods (fasting) was to keep from defiling himself (Daniel 1:8). The Daniel Fast is not all about the food! If it were, the spiritual benefits of the fast would be negated. The result would be a life style choice on how to eat, or, simply put, a new twist on the vegetarian diet. This is a time to “Take out the Trash”. Do an inventory. What consumes your time from God and Family? What TV programs are you watching? How much time are you surfing the internet? What books are you filling your mind with? Do they edify God? During this fast you should consider turning off your TV. Don’t watch movies, or read books that don’t deepen your walk with God. Choose books on spiritual matters. Spend more time reading the Bible and more time in prayer. Get off the Computer! I think we can waste just as much time surfing the internet as we do surfing the television channels. Get your Priorities Straight During your fast you need to keep your priorities straight. 1. God- Prayer and Bible study 2. Family 3. Church and Community (serving Christ) reach out to your neighbor. Remember the parable… Who is your neighbor? This might be a good time for you to teach or prepare for a Bible study. If you are fasting with your spouse, you may want to discuss the option of abstaining from sexual intimacy for the duration of the fast. This will enable both of you to “give yourselves more completely to prayer.” You must BOTH agree. 1 Corinthians 7:5-6 Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. What kind of “Junk is in the Trunk”? Envy, strife, anger, jealousy, lust, pride, laziness, depression, hostility, keeping record of wrongs (not forgiving) these things can easily take root in a person’s life and hinder our relationships with people and God. Galatians 5:19-23 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law Let’s dump the junk. Don’t deceive yourself… truly search yourself. Ask God for help. Seek the Fruit of the Spirit: Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Remember, Daniel and his friends received some good things as a result of their dedication. Daniel 1:17 “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams” Is there someone in your life you need favor with? Someone who has authority over you? “Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” Daniel 1:9 There are benefits to fasting both spiritual and physical. When we fast we should keep in mind the scripture in Isaiah Isaiah 58:6-10 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; If we fast with faith and the right attitude, we can expect good things to happen both in the spiritual and physical. Becoming aware of the amount of junk you consume and the effects of that food is another benefit of the Daniel Fast. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. As Christians we should be concerned with what our temple is made of. After all, we are what we eat. Here’s a thought; If you were in charge of building the temple of God in the Old Testament would you use cheap wood, fake gold, and poor craftsmen? NO WAY! Only the best!!! We need to take care of our bodies: eat healthy food and exercise. Do the best that we can with what we’ve been given! Power in Prayer and Fasting Before surrendering my life to Christ, my marriage was in shambles and my life was a mess. I hated my husband and was looking for a way out, but God continued to be patient and have mercy on me. After a very powerful experience in an altar, a friend gave me a book called “When ye Fast” by Joe Haney. After devouring the book, I felt a need to fast for my husband. I had never fasted before but I was desperate for a miracle. I went on a 21 day “water only” fast. It was extremely hard. My first 3-5 days were excruciating. I thought my head was going to split in two! I was a very heavy coffee drinker, therefore going cold turkey was very painful! At first my prayers were about my husband. “God change my husband…etc” soon they changed. Fasting had made me more sensitive to God. He was dealing with me and my part in our marriage. I had to swallow a lot of pride and I did a lot of crying. At the end of the fast, the hate that consumed my heart was replaced with a love that was not my own. I saw my husband with God’s eyes. I loved him so deeply. Soon after the fast, my husband who hated God came to church was baptized and received the Holy Ghost! Our new life in Christ began. I really believe this fast broke spiritual bands and helped us both break free. I have been on many fasts since this first one. I can say with absolute certainly, fasting will make you more sensitive to God. It helps clean out the cob webs… whether it’s an absolute fast or a partial fast (such as the Daniel Fast), God honors your faith. Corporate Fasting The Daniel fast is a great fast to go on as a church body! I have attended a church that goes on a Daniel Fast for 40 days every year!! The results are amazing! The Church Body binds together in prayer and fasting which promotes unity! Many amazing things have happened, hearts have become more tender, relationships restored, lives have been changed, healings and deliverance! If your church is ready to storm the gates of hell, come together in unity...fast and pray together!