THE FAST

by Tammy Phillips
April 1, 2021

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21 NKJV)

Who wants to talk about disciplining their body, said no one ever?  However, fasting has become a very important part of my life. I fast each year at the beginning of the year for at least the first 21 days.  (I also fast, as called to do so, during the year.)  I have been doing this for the last five years.  It is a way for me to kick off the year solely focused on the Lord.  It is way to get the things to go out that need to go out and to call the things in that need to come in.   It is a practice in self-control and discipline.  Sometimes, I do a full fast with no food, just water and juices.  Sometimes, I give up a certain group of foods. Sometimes, I do the Daniel fast.   I gave up desserts in a fast in August of 2020 and I am still withstanding.   I loved desserts.  I do not think I ever met a dessert that I did not love. You would think with that cutting out sugar and with the loss of smell that I would be skinny by now.  I am not…yet. (I lost 90% of smell a year of two before covid hit with some strange sickness like c-19.  It has not returned.)

All this to say… great revelation, great breakthrough, great pain and great change have been results of a fast.  I have come to realize that the fast is also a great time of acceleration.  It lives up to its name, FAST.  As I honor the Lord in prayer and fastingt, the Holy Spirit pours into me sometimes faster than I think I can receive.  January has become one of my favorite times with the Lord.  Our relationship is always strengthened and grows during these times set apart to our great God.

I strongly enCOURAGE you to fast and pray before the Lord.  It is a time when you can focus on Him, deny yourself, pour yourself out to Him and  hear clearly all He has to say.  AND…great things always come out of a fast!!!

Below are some links about fasting and a link to a couple of good books about fasting, if you are interested. 

https://jentezenfranklin.org/fastingbasics

https://jentezenfranklin.org/daily-devotions/fasting-tips-2

https://jentezenfranklin.org/fasting

https://jentezenfranklin.org/products/fasting-kit