Fasting is about more than food. I would like to take the next few moments to explore the value of fasting for health, wealth, and spiritual renewal. The focus on fasting is often what we are going to give up; what we are cutting out. But, God has told us that he desires mercy rather than sacrifice (Hos 6:6). When we fast God is looking for more than a hunger strike. It is an invitation from God for a deeper connection. The result is closeness with the Creator.
This is what fasting looks like in light of the life and person of Jesus Christ.
Read Matthew 4
-Fasting is about hearing and knowing the word of God. (Matt 4:4,7,10)
-Fasting is a test. (Matt 4:1) -Fasting is Spirit led. (Matt 4:1-2)
-Fasting brings clarity to your assignment. (Matt 4:12-17)
-Fasting results in connection. (Matt 4:11)
This is why you should fast. You need to know what God’s will is (Rom.12:2). Fasting is a tool that helps cut through our day to day rhythms of eating and producing. Fasting helps take us deeper. It helps us think harder about our actions as fasting impacts the type of energy that you have. We learn about our own tendencies when we are under the pressure of restricting our appetites. This helps us yield to the changes that will make us more like Christ and live a better life.
This is what not to do on your fast. Don’t just be hungry. The kind of fasting Hill City will be engaging in is different than the discipline of intermittent fasting. While weight loss may take place during a spiritual fast, the primary goal is mental, emotional, and spiritual clarity (1 Tim 4:8). You also, don’t want to fast to change God’s mind (Matt 7:7-11). This doesn’t work. God is good. Your fasting isn’t going to make God better. Your fasting will help you understand God better and how best to work with him (Isa 58).
Remember that a good meal takes preparation. So it will also take preparation to consume God’s word during the fast. Remove as many distractions as possible. Make a meal plan. Make a prayer plan. Fill your time with as much time for the word as possible. Find a friend from your Hill City Fam, read the word together. Pray for each other. Write down what you hear God saying and reflect (Hab 2:2). As a general guide avoid meat and sweets. Limit or even eliminate white flour and other white starchy foods like white rice and bread. Remember, the focus here is not the letter of the law, but rather training ourselves to live on more than “bread”!
This is what you can expect from your pastors. You can expect that Pastor Jill and I will be dedicating days during the week to pray for each one of you specifically. While Pastor Jill is expecting our 2nd child she will not be fasting, however, we will be praying for you and Pastor Tim will be joining you in this fast and leading the Men of Hill City in prayer each morning during the first week. Send us prayer requests, praise reports, questions about fasting or anything else. We are here for you. This is what you can expect from God. You can look forward to hearing God clearer. You can expect to discover God’s character as you spend more time with God and less time feeding your natural appetites. Remember what you feed grows (Rom 8:5-6).