21 Days of Fasting and Prayer

Why do most take the path of least resistance? Why do most throw the plan out the window when it gets tough?

These are a couple of questions that I asked myself Saturday morning. I woke at the usual time of 3am and realized that I left my headphones upstairs. These, I felt, were needed to help get me through my walk first thing in the morning to provide me with some entertainment as I move my body the 22 steps from front door to my garage for 45 minutes. My mind was sent into frustration that these were “out of reach” for the moment because the kids were asleep and I didn’t want to disturb them. Therefore, I chose the path of least resistance…

Play Xbox.

I was into hour two of Xbox and thought to myself that I should really get to my daily reading. A time limit was set and I continued to play. An hour later I realized that I had missed my mark of my self imposed time limit. A quick game save and a fresh cup of coffee, I grabbed my book and read the first paragraph. Thoughts navigated there way into my head and decided to meditate before my wife got up.

My eyes closed, my breathing in check…..my mind began to wander. My wife was going to be gone for the day and I would be home with the kids, I thought this might be a good day to refocus my energy and get back what I “lost”.

Then I was gently nudged by God. He reminded me of something our church was doing. It was a 21 days of fasting and prayer. This might be just the thing that I need to get me refocused and become closer to God.

So I Googled to learn more about the 21 days of fasting and prayer. I learned that Daniel of the Old Testament fasted many times to grow closer to God. After looking up all the places where fasting was brought up I prayed.

Praying is difficult for me and I stumble over myself all the time. Words don’t flow like I feel they should. However, I continued to just be silent and wait for God to speak to me. Here is my take away:

• Know your reason for fasting. My reason, simply put to have an encounter with God, whatever that may look like.

• Dedicate any hardship to the ones who suffer and never complain about it

• In times of difficulty, pray. Ask God to help me through these difficult times

• Make the fast meaningful and make it so it will not be easy

• Lean on God and repent of my sins

• Work on areas of my life where I am week (Prayer and laying down all things and ask for help)

Tears flowed down my face when I realized that I must really go through this challenge. Knowing that I have never attempted anything like this before, I know it will be difficult. With that said here are the terms of my fast…

• Water/tea fast through the 21 days

• Abstain from any coffee and cigars

• No TV or social media (unless for work or to post my blog)

• Spend time throughout the day in prayer and in the Word

That’s it! Beginning January 8th, I will enter into 21 days of fasting and prayer. I will writing about this journey as I go along, hoping to share the breakthrough’s that I have and how it’s going.

Thanks and blessings to all.