If you're reading this, you're at least interested in what it means to fast and what the benefits might actually be. In the Jewish culture, fasting was a part of their tradition and actually rules of Jewish law that were expected to be followed. Just like so many other rules and laws, Jesus came to fulfill all of them. We are free in Jesus and not under rules or law. However, there are so many benefits that God set up for the Jewish people before Jesus made his appearance as a man that we can glean from today, and I personally have found fasting to be one of them.
In all of my 53 years on earth, I was never once encouraged to fast. I wasn't familiar with it other than reading it in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, but I just assumed it didn't apply to me since I had never learned about it in any of my Bible classes or sermons that were preached. Not once. In 2021 that changed. An entire church had committed to do this together as they prayed specifically for things in their community, their families and individually. I found this inspiring and intriguing as, again, I'd never even considered doing this.
Fasting is an immediate way to point yourself to Jesus. We all know the pang of hunger in some form or fashion. The idea of fasting is to push through that pang and look to Jesus, asking Him to fill you instead of rushing to the fridge, pantry or nearest drive-thru. It's definitely not what we're used to here in America.
If you've made it this far, you may be truly considering it. I'm so so impressed with you! Fasting is an individual decision. However, you must commit to it BEFORE you start, or you will be tempted to change it and rationalize that change as you move forward. Here is what I have done for the last 3 years, and it is what I will do for 21 days starting January 1 of 2025:
Week 1
4 glasses of juice per day. I'm not a juice-girl, so this was already a challenge for me. I bought quite a few small bottles in the produce section at the grocery store the first year and narrowed it to what I can actually get down. Some people also substitute one or two of these glasses per day with broth. That was a line too far in the sand for me. I also drink water all day long.
Read one chapter of the book of John each day. Get to know Jesus by his own words and actions as an adult man. Learn how he interacted with his disciples, his enemies and how he treated those around him. His goal was (and is) to lead us to the Father. Read in His own words how He does that. There are 21 chapters. Kinda perfect.
Watch at least one episode of The Chosen. Start from the beginning. It's on Amazon Prime, but it also has its own app which is FREE to download and watch on any of your devices. Watch it alone the first time if you have not yet started. It's so very personal, and you don't want to miss even a moment of each episode, so don't have your phone nearby. Unplug from everything and everyone for that hour each day and soak in the visual images and audio elements of what Jesus could have been like in real flesh.
Pray. Pray specifically for what God has in store for you over the next few days, weeks, months, year. Watch. Listen.
Week 2
4 glasses of juice per day + a dinner meal of strictly vegetables. Get creative. You can start chewing this week, ha! Water all day long.
Keep reading one chapter of John.
Keep watching at least one episode of The Chosen. (When you get to Season 2, Episode 1, go back and read John 1:1-18 again. You will be moved to tears at how personal Jesus is for you. I can't wait to hear about this from everyone!)
Pray. Pray specifically for what God has in store for you over the next few days, weeks, months, year. Watch. Listen.
Week 3
4 glasses of juice per day, a dinner meal of strictly vegetables, a protein drink at lunchtime. Water all day long.
Keep reading one chapter of John.
Keep watching at least one episode of The Chosen.
Pray. Pray specifically for what God has in store for you over the next few days, weeks, months, year. Watch. Listen.
This is my personal journey. Choose one that is right for you.
One note I'd like to address: Biblical fasting is restricted to food. Others may "fast" from social media, hobbies, alcohol, etc. God set up fasting to include food. If you'd like to "abstain" from those other things, that sounds fantastic, but it's not a fast. Fasting is difficult at best and causes some days of physical suffering, but you will be SHOCKED at how God will pull you along. Some days, and this may sound crazy, you might not even feel hungry, and you will have to remember to go drink that glass of juice.
Days 2 and 5 are usually the hardest for me at first. It's like my body is saying, "ok, i know you probably forgot yesterday, but let's get back to this eating thing..." You'll have a couple of days when you don't think you can do it. YOU CAN WITH GOD! Cry out to Him. Once completed, you will have accomplished something you may have never thought you could. Your body will feel great, your soul will feel refreshed, and your relationship with Jesus will become closer than you ever expected.
ALSO, please comment on this blog each day or any day you feel encouraged or discouraged. Let's share together what verse hit you directly or how God revealed something to you. Some days will be harder while some days will be easier. Let's encourage each other. This is your personal fasting group! Welcome!
Get ready to fall in Love with Jesus in 21 days!
Comments
Missy - starting Day 13:
These comments from all of you are helping not only me but so many ladies on this thread. Thank you for taking the time to share what you are experiencing, the guidance you are hearing from the Lord and the struggles and victories of each day.
Sarah – don’t give up because you are not experiencing spiritual highs that others may be feeling. I’ve learned to wait and listen. I’ve also noticed that I’ve been more silent in my speech and conversations these past few days, listening to others, listening to what God is showing me in the space around me and through others’ words. It’s been a very different experience for me this time. I trust that the Lord is preparing me for what He has planned for me.
If anyone else is feeling like nothing is changing in what you are receiving from the Lord in terms of revelations, spiritual highs, or just feel like this may have been a waste of time, please refer to my Facebook post of January 2, 2023. I was under the guise of expecting huge things during these 3 weeks. God never promised the Jews this result. God does promise that if we want to know the Father, we must get to know the Son. This experience WILL do that for you. Keep going! Wait and listen for the days and weeks following this experience. Our God will not disappoint us!
Jan 13, 2025
Rebecca Grice :
Good blessed morning dear sisters in the Most High! Day 12- the Lord is so good to me! He not only sustains me but He allows me to thrive and see His Word come to life in my own personal circumstances yesterday! It’s just too amazing to not share… so yesterday I asked for prayer bc the Lord has been having this word reappear in His Word and in my life for months now and then yesterday we finally got back to church after sickness left our house and I got over fear of family members getting sick again… and man God showed up!!! The service was wonderful yesterday morning and then our pastor told us the sermon for last night was going to be my word God has been showing me in His Word!!! No joke!!! I just about squalling in church bc I was like “Abba, that can only be You”!!! It was so wonderful! Still trying to figure out how God is wanting me to use this word and what He wants me to learn. The word is “Bread” and I’m a avid baker at home and have always dreamed of owning a bakery but we can’t afford that endeavor nor do I think I’m skilled enough to do it. And I know He’s given us Jesus Christ our Savior as “the Bread of Life” which is lining up also with our reading. God is so good. I just want to live in His guidance and hear His voice and not be in ignorance to His will.
So long story short, He blessed me tremendously!! He is so good to us y’all! Praying for you ladies this week!
Jan 13, 2025
Dezy :
Day 13- Thank you Kristina! 🩷 🤗
John 13 is so special, Jesus is our great example of how to LOVE. S4 E8 has this washing feet scene and they did such a good job. I’ve gotten used to this fast now but when my tummy grumbles, I smile, knowing I’m being obedient to God. Hope y’all have a GREAT day!
Jan 13, 2025
Sarah Stephan:
I started a few days later than most of you, so I’m begining day 11. While I do know that I couldn’t do this without the Holy Spirit’s power, I must admit I haven’t seen much of a difference in my christian walk. That’s ok bc I’m sticking it through and trusting in God’s faithfulness to honor this small gesture. Looking forward to Jan 24th, but enjoying this journey! – Sarah
Jan 13, 2025
Kimberly :
Days 11-12:
Happy Sunday evening! It’s been quite a weekend here. Church was great. We are in Mark 9 and today was verses 14 – 29…the boy possessed by the demon whose dad brought him to Jesus. How that relates here….because if God hadn’t brought me to the end of my rope just like he did with that poor dad and his poor son I wouldn’t have fallen on the floor that night years ago and begged Him to take me back. I wouldn’t be here now. The glory of God is also in the suffering.
I’m going to keep John on repeat until summer, I think.
I’m thinking that having one meal a day is more challenging than no food. Haha So far I’ve mostly eaten roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes, and black beans. I’ve come off caffeine and sugar during this. That’s the Almighty at work right there. I’m really re-evaluating some things right now. I intend to do better for this temple the Lord has given me.
Hang in their y’all. You’re fabulous daughters of the Most High. ❤️
Jan 12, 2025
Kristina:
Melissa – praying for the 24th! God sees and has it already planned out, you get to walk through the situation with HIM!
Dezy – will DEFINITELY pray!! I want to share what happened to me on Dec 17, 2023 - I have been praying for my son’s girlfriend for 2 years to accept Jesus. She went to our church’s Christmas program on the 16th. She said when Pastor Jon read Isaiah 1:18 ..though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow….she felt a tightness in her chest. She called me the next morning and asked me to help her as Jesus into her heart!!!! I prayed with her (and didn’t cry until the very end) and bought her a new study Bible! So….word of encouragement…pray continually and BE READY because I had NO IDEA I would be leading someone to Christ that day.
I never realized how many food commercials are on TV! The world does ‘feed’ into us to satisfy our flesh. Our Pastor said this morning that prayer connects us to God and fasting disconnects us from the world. I am going to focus on that this week!
Missy, thank you for the recipes! My husband and I went through Duck Commander when we went to Texas a few years ago. One of the complimentary gifts was Miss Kay’s recipe book! It has been fun to pick different recipes and hope I get a good response from my hubby! lol
So very thankful for the connections made in this group. Praying for each of you! I feel a connection with every single person :)
~Kristina
Jan 12, 2025
Dezy:
Day 12- currently at the theater with the family about to watch lion king and the popcorn smells so good 😭 but I had a bolthouse protein chai latte before coming and it was yummy. Looking forward to eating tonite ha! John 12 is amazing ofc. The scene from the chosen playing it out makes me so happy. Happy Sunday yall! Church was wonderful 🩷
Jan 12, 2025
Diane:
Day 12!!! Yeah I didn’t know how far I could go but with God’s might help I am hear to say I am still only drinking water and juice. I feel great! No headaches, no hunger pains, and I am determined to go as far as I can. I am loving the Chosen series. They do an incredible job of demonstrating how human His disciples were in real life. It is eye opening and his sweet mother. My heart is full. The Bible reading in John is going well too. I just wanted to drop a quick note, Say hello and I am still here. Praying for all the prayer requests above and thank you Missy, May God continue to bless you and your family.
Diane
Jan 12, 2025
Rebecca:
Good blessed morning ladies! I have already forgotten what day I am on but I feel so blessed that the Lord has supplied nourishment to get me this far. I just counted the days on my fingers and I’m on day 11. I think I’ve been doing this wrong on the eating. I used tortillas to eat my vegetables at dinner so I need to cut that out and go strictly vegetables which is fine bc truly on most days I prefer vegetables and fruits over heavy meats. Coffee still is a struggle but only by the Almighty during this have I not had the horrible headaches that I expected.
If anyone would like to pray for me, for the past several months one particular word in Gods scripture hs been popping out in my face and even in every day life. I don’t want to say the word bc I feel God is trying to do work in me or through me but I don’t know how it may come to fruition BUT I am praying that this year I be a good steward of my gifts He has given me and if it brings this word into something then I just want Him taking me through it bc I have no idea or clue on making it work OR if that’s what He’s wanting me to get out of it. Praying He just breaks down barriers that I place in my heart and mind to build in me what He originally created for me.
I am so blessed to read others comments on this blog. Though we may not know each other in person, I feel a sense of knowing y’all through the Holy Spirit and I say it is good. ❤️ praying peace over all our families and homes. May we have eyes to see Him today and ears to hear Him in all His glory today. In Jesus Christ name I pray.
Jan 12, 2025
Toni:
Still pushing through.
I have this amazing Vegetable chilli for a few days. Family is not fond of having a meatless chilli, so more for me :)
I’m struggling with the night shifts. Not having the normal day routine is hard. I need to keep telling myself to drink more water, and send it it up to the Lord.
One day at a time.
❤️🙏
Jan 11, 2025
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