C. Peter Wagner: From time to time, when Jesus' disciples ran into trouble trying to cast out a demon, Jesus had to instruct them that certain kinds come out only through prayer and fasting (see Matt. 17:21).

Just as it is necessary for us to draw near to God through prayer,
(#62 Draw Near to God), it is also necessary to draw near through fasting. Learning how to fast is part of spiritual boot camp.

Many who read this will be experienced, practicing fasters. This short section is not for you, but for those who are wondering how to begin.

Although there are many different kinds of fasts, the most common, and the one I recommend for starting, is to abstain from food, but not drink, for a given period of time.

So far as drink is concerned, all agree that water is basic. Some add coffee or tea, some add fruit juices. All also agree that something like a milk shake goes to far, and is not in the spirit of fasting.

Whatever, the fast involves an intentional practice of self-denial, and this spiritual discipline has been known through the centuries as a means for opening ourselves to God and drawing closer to Him.

I think fasting should be practiced both on a regular basis and also occasionally as needed or as agreed. I myself am just a beginner, so I have decided to discipline myself not to eat anything between Tuesday supper and Wednesday noon.

This, I have found is not hard to do. The hardest part was to decide to do it. This is my regular fast, and it has taken any reticence about fasting away from me. On this basis, the occasional, longer fasts are much easier.

A while ago, for example, I was invited to a retreat where we were to pray and fast all day long, and because of the habit I had developed I had no problem at all.

Sometimes we don't encourage other members of the Body of Christ to fast because we recall Jesus' rebuke to the Pharisees that they sinned by making a public display of fasting (see Matt. 6:16-18).

Just because we should fast in secret does not mean, in my opinion, that we should keep fasting a secret or not encourage others to do it by our example.

That is why I share my present fasting habits in print here. We need to talk about fasting more and do it more!

To the degree that fasting becomes more of a norm in our day-to-day Christian life as individuals and congregations, we will become more effective in spiritual warfare.

Drawing near to God through prayer and fasting is the second important lesson of spiritual boot camp.

(Google image and emphasis added)

Warfare Prayer

#64 Fasting
By C. Peter Wagner

(pgs. 112, 113) Regal Books

Father, I pray that fasting becomes more of a norm in our day-to-day Christian life as individuals and congregations, so we will become more effective in spiritual warfare. Just because we should fast in secret does not mean that we should keep fasting a secret or not encourage others to do it by our example.

Help me to do my part in making this a regular habit, so I can encourage others to do the same. May we soon find that Your power will overtake us in our endeavors to pray for Your Spirit to embolden us in witnessing to others of Your goodness and mercy.

I ask this in the precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: 1 Chron. 22:13b "Be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed."

Today's praise verse: Ps. 18:49 Therefore I will praise you among the Nations, O LORD, I will sing praises to your name."

Today’s quote: Linda W. Rooks - "Worry and fear block us from putting our complete trust in God, which in turn prevents God from pouring the full power of his resurrection grace into our circumstances. It is only in our letting go that God is able to bring to pass all that he purposes to do. Matthew 16:19 says, 'Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.' Our worry binds up God's freedom to complete his work. If we want God's best for our future, we must release the situation to him."
(Taken from her book, Broken Heart on Hold pgs. 56, 57).

Some thoughts today: If you'll get serious with God, He'll take care of what concerns you; even debt.

- When we start to question God's Word, we lose our vision He's given us.

- Guard your heart, as it effects your life. Pro. 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

23rd- Saturday’s post: Conscience
James H. Cagle

24th-Sunday evening's post: Unplugged
Mary Southerland

26th- Tuesday's post: #65 Cleanse Your Hands, and Purify Your Hearts C. Peter Wagner

28th- Thursday's post: #66 The "Bless Me" Trap
C. Peter Wagner

Special guest post: Glimpses of Delight

Melissa Kruger "God continually works and shapes all the circumstances that we face, with a grand intention for our souls: He makes us like Jesus.

He does not just work on the outer layers, but He knits and fashions love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control into the inner reaches of our heart.

We are not just doing good works, we are in the process of becoming good..."

(Be sure to check out Melissa's post, as it is very encouraging...)

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