Our church just finished a 21-day fast to kick off the year. We partnered with Awake 21 and hundreds of churches from around the world. It’s a great idea to get people fasting and praying but the partnership with other churches was a unique experience as we linked arms together.
I am a little hesitant to share my experience of the 21 days at the expense of sounding super-spiritual. Those who know me know I’m far from that.
I’m also hesitant because I take Jesus’ words seriously:
“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
- Matthew 6:16-18 (NRSV)
At the same time, this is the first time I’ve fasted consistently. My previous experiences were starving myself for 30 Hours at youth for World Vision and then binging on Taco Bell afterwards (which I don’t suggest)!
I didn’t do a full fast or a Daniel fast for the 21 days. My fast was simply during the day. I didn’t eat when the sun was up and I learned some important things over the 21 days.
First, I learned a lot about myself and my dependence on food. We are privileged enough in this country to have food at our disposal. Even if you don’t have enough money for food there are places you can go so that you don’t have to go hungry.
I learned how easy it is to eat without being thankful for what has been provided. Every time my stomach grumbled during the day I took time to pray and give thanks for who God is and what He has given me. Some days there were a lot of grumbles, which also meant there were a lot of prayers.
Second, I learned that eating can be a form of worship. Because I didn’t eat during the day you would think that I had every right to binge at night. But I didn’t… I ate as much as I would normally eat if I wasn’t starving.
I began to learn with every bite, after a day of not eating, that eating is worship. That food is designed to give God praise.
It made me think about how I eat, what I eat and why I eat…
I know during the fast that some people were looking for big breakthrough in different areas of their lives. There is nothing wrong with that.
But…
For me, it was the simple reassurance to give God praise with everything in my life.
