It’s Wednesday afternoon as I write this and I’m in the middle of my day of fasting. No food, just liquids. Submission to Jesus’ Lordship has been on my mind a lot and I’ve voiced several prayers.
I’ve been reminded how much fasting helps me be in tune to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. The desires of my belly – and I’m not just talking about food – often distract me from hearing Him. They keep me occupied and too busy to listen. Hearing Him today has been refreshing.
It’s interesting that the Hebrew word for fasting means “to cover the mouth.” While we think of fasting as not eating, in a very real sense this spiritual discipline of covering our mouth so we don’t eat seems to make us less focused on what we want.
Think about it. There’s a connection between talking and listening. The more we talk, the less we listen. You could say that talking a lot means we’re focused on what we want…on ourselves. Covering our mouth to fast causes us focus on God…to listen to Him.
Who knew that not eating – for a spiritual purpose – would make us better listeners? The more we listen to God, the better everything will be.
If you have already fasted this week, share with us what God taught you.
If you have not already fasted this week, share with us which day you plan to fast and what you are hoping to gain from the experience.
I look forward to reading your comments.
Pastor Steve Hogg
I fasted yesterday, basically from my phone…the goal was not to look at Facebook, instagram, or really anything on my phone. Wow! I was amazed at how many times I reached for that crazy phone. Each time I reminded myself that my focus needed to be shifted elsewhere and I offered up a prayer to submit to His Lordship, not the demands of social networking, or checking emails on my phone, etc…I also chose not to listen to any music anytime I was in the car yesterday, which was a lot. I only listen to Christian music, but I sure did find myself praying more and listening for God’s voice more in the complete silence of my car. I have been reminded how even good things…our phones, Christian music…can distract us and how much quiet and solitude can help us focus more keenly on the Lord’s voice.
Marcy,
That’s a great lesson. Thanks for sharing.
Getting ready to fast for 24 hours from Friday evening until Saturday evening giving me a full day with Jesus as my focus. Struggled the first day not watching tv and going on Facebook. But second day I was fine. Now the desire to be pulled in that direction is gone while my focus on Jesus increased greatly. I do have a Facebook ministry…sharing my faith, loving and encouraging others, but it cannot take away being in the word of God and praying. There has to be a balance. Thank you, Pastor Steve, for preaching on fasting and praying and blogging a daily message of encouragement.
Glad the week without social media is going well. Praying your normal food fast is a blessing.