WHY FAST?
FORTY DAYS IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD
Walking in Holiness and Purity
A Forty-Day Devotional Journey:
Faithful — fidelity to the Word and faithful obedience
Expectant — awareness of the imminent return of Christ
Abiding — living in the daily presence and counsel of the Lord
Reverence — humility before God, flowing to others
What is a Fast?
The word “fast” comes from the Greek (nēsteia – nay-STI-ah) which literally means to be
“unsatisfied or empty”. It is the concept of intentionally depriving oneself, most commonly from food and drink, in order to be unsatisfied or empty of the things of physical life so that one may be filled or satisfied with that of the Spiritual.
Why should we Fast?
Fasting, both in the Old and New Testaments were designed to draw our attention away
from ourselves and self-provision and place our attention upon God and His provision.
Fasting is a process of intentionally seeking God and His will, desiring most of all, clarity,
conviction and courage to follow through with that revealed will.
How should we Fast?
This year, we are fasting from “thought thieves” that keep us from walking in holiness.
Before we begin the next 40 days, each participant should ask the Lord to reveal a “thought thief” that Satan is using to steal away our most prized possession (a clean conscience) and redeem that conscience back to intentional prayer, meditation, and study. This ‘fast’ will last for 40 days, from July 27 – September 6 when we conclude this intentional fasting during our annual baptism service.
Some may choose to fast from food as well at some point during these next 40 days. To be clear, NO ONE is being asked or encouraged to fast from food for all 40 days. Consider picking a day or two to attempt a food fast. One that works for you, your family, your schedule and will have the greatest impact on your personal spiritual growth. For health reasons etc, not everyone can physically fast from food; however, everyone can fast from something. If you are not physically able to fast from food, consider fasting from television or some other activity during the day and dedicate that time and energy to seeking the Lord on behalf of your family and church. The object of the fast is not nearly as important as the heart and mind behind the fast. Important things to keep in mind during this fast are as follows:
Matthew 6:1,16-18 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Specific Instructions:
A Word Before We Begin
For the next forty days, we are going to walk together toward one of the great, neglected
treasures of the Christian life: the fear of the Lord. In our day this phrase can be confusing, because when we hear fear, we often interpret it as dread. Scripture, however, means something far richer — a reverent, affectionate awe of the holy God; which as Proverbs says, “the beginning of wisdom.” It is also, as we will see again and again, the hidden engine of a holy and pure life. Purity can never be manufactured by willpower or technique; it grows in the soil of a heart that has come to honor the Lord.
To help us walk it out, our journey follows a simple path spelled out by the word FEAR. After a foundational week exploring the fear of the Lord across Scripture and the Proverbs, we will give one letter to each remaining segment: F — Faithful, fidelity to God’s Word and faithful obedience to it; E — Expectant, living in awareness of the imminent return of Christ; A — Abiding, dwelling in the daily presence and counsel of the Lord; and R — Reverence, humility before God that then flows outward into how we treat others.
Each day offers a verse to anchor us, a devotional, a short take away to carry into the hours ahead, and a brief prayer prompt to seek God’s strength. Read or listen to them
undistractedly and ask the Lord to make these forty days the start of a lifelong walk in the
fear of Him — pressing on, as Paul says, toward “holiness… in the fear of God.”
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” — Proverbs 9:10
Walking in Holiness and Purity
A Forty-Day Devotional Journey:
Faithful — fidelity to the Word and faithful obedience
Expectant — awareness of the imminent return of Christ
Abiding — living in the daily presence and counsel of the Lord
Reverence — humility before God, flowing to others
What is a Fast?
The word “fast” comes from the Greek (nēsteia – nay-STI-ah) which literally means to be
“unsatisfied or empty”. It is the concept of intentionally depriving oneself, most commonly from food and drink, in order to be unsatisfied or empty of the things of physical life so that one may be filled or satisfied with that of the Spiritual.
Why should we Fast?
Fasting, both in the Old and New Testaments were designed to draw our attention away
from ourselves and self-provision and place our attention upon God and His provision.
Fasting is a process of intentionally seeking God and His will, desiring most of all, clarity,
conviction and courage to follow through with that revealed will.
How should we Fast?
This year, we are fasting from “thought thieves” that keep us from walking in holiness.
Before we begin the next 40 days, each participant should ask the Lord to reveal a “thought thief” that Satan is using to steal away our most prized possession (a clean conscience) and redeem that conscience back to intentional prayer, meditation, and study. This ‘fast’ will last for 40 days, from July 27 – September 6 when we conclude this intentional fasting during our annual baptism service.
Some may choose to fast from food as well at some point during these next 40 days. To be clear, NO ONE is being asked or encouraged to fast from food for all 40 days. Consider picking a day or two to attempt a food fast. One that works for you, your family, your schedule and will have the greatest impact on your personal spiritual growth. For health reasons etc, not everyone can physically fast from food; however, everyone can fast from something. If you are not physically able to fast from food, consider fasting from television or some other activity during the day and dedicate that time and energy to seeking the Lord on behalf of your family and church. The object of the fast is not nearly as important as the heart and mind behind the fast. Important things to keep in mind during this fast are as follows:
- If you agree to fast, take it seriously, do not fast like the hypocrite who simply wants to be recognized by men for spiritual service
- When you fast, make sure to present yourself “ready for the day”, cleaned up and presentable so that others are unaware of your fasting
Matthew 6:1,16-18 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Specific Instructions:
- Identify a daily time thief that consumes at least 15 minutes of your day. Ideas are social media, internet searching, TV / Movies, etc.
- Redeem that time and use it specifically for intentional prayer for the members of your personal family, church and someone who you want to share the Gospel with.
- Read the daily scripture provided to help stimulate your family worship, prayers, study and meditation.
- Although we are not legalistic and occasionally ‘misses’ are understandable; take your commitment to fast and redeem the time seriously and walk by faith that God will hear and answer your prayers.
A Word Before We Begin
For the next forty days, we are going to walk together toward one of the great, neglected
treasures of the Christian life: the fear of the Lord. In our day this phrase can be confusing, because when we hear fear, we often interpret it as dread. Scripture, however, means something far richer — a reverent, affectionate awe of the holy God; which as Proverbs says, “the beginning of wisdom.” It is also, as we will see again and again, the hidden engine of a holy and pure life. Purity can never be manufactured by willpower or technique; it grows in the soil of a heart that has come to honor the Lord.
To help us walk it out, our journey follows a simple path spelled out by the word FEAR. After a foundational week exploring the fear of the Lord across Scripture and the Proverbs, we will give one letter to each remaining segment: F — Faithful, fidelity to God’s Word and faithful obedience to it; E — Expectant, living in awareness of the imminent return of Christ; A — Abiding, dwelling in the daily presence and counsel of the Lord; and R — Reverence, humility before God that then flows outward into how we treat others.
Each day offers a verse to anchor us, a devotional, a short take away to carry into the hours ahead, and a brief prayer prompt to seek God’s strength. Read or listen to them
undistractedly and ask the Lord to make these forty days the start of a lifelong walk in the
fear of Him — pressing on, as Paul says, toward “holiness… in the fear of God.”
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” — Proverbs 9:10
