2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 1 Kings 20:1-21:29 ESV, Acts 12:24-13:15 ESV, Psalm 137:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 17:16 ESV
Daily Verse: “Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:3 ESV)
NESTEUO (3522): “As a verb, means “to fast, to abstain from eating,” and is used of voluntary fasting.”[i]
Voluntary fasting.
Preparing to send Barnabas and Saul off on a mission trip, the church at Antioch fasted and prayed for guidance from the Holy Spirit. Fasting helps eliminate the distractions of the world and focus our attention heavenly. Gaining Godly wisdom comes from seeking God earnestly.
Each Monday, I fast breakfast and lunch as I seek God for guidance for the week to come. Feeling overwhelmed trying to find a rhythm in my life, I realized I needed to become more intentional about seeking God through prayer and fasting. As a result, I no longer make appointments on Mondays, using that time to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Become intentional.
Intentionally seeking God requires thought. Like any relationship, we must prioritize our time to develop the connection. Sometimes, we must give up something to establish a stronger bond.
Throughout the Bible, you will find many examples of people fasting. Daniel’s fast in the Old Testament has become one of the most well-known. But you can fast other things than food. In today’s world, digital media sucks the life from us. On average, we spend 35 hours a week watching television. When someone opens social media, they typically spend 15 minutes on it.
The world distracts us in many ways. Fasting allows us to eliminate distractions and focus our attention on God. When we do, we discover a stronger connection with God’s Spirit. Jesus wants to guide you, but you won’t get direction if you don’t seek Him.
Try fasting. Whether you decide to give up food, or something that hinders your relationship with God, replace that time with prayer. Meditate on a scripture that speaks to your heart, and allow God to lead you where He wants you to go.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 171) Thomas Nelson
