Fasting & Prayer

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."





Soo today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, the 40-day period of sacrifice and reflection observed by many Christians (especially, but not exclusively, Catholics) as a way to prepare for the Easter celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection. Traditionally in the Catholic Church, Lent was a time of fasting -- defined as abstaining from meat and limiting oneself to one full meal a day, usually around noon. The Lenten fast is intended to recall Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the desert before he began his public ministry. The tradition of fasting led, in modern times, is "giving something up" for Lent -- if not food, then at least ice cream; if not meat, then at least pepperoni pizza. And the season is not just about sacrifice -- it's also a time of prayer and reflection, of learning. So in addition to "giving something up," people often commit to doing something positive -- to praying every day, or attending Mass/church daily, or treating everyone with kindness and patience. You know I have never really known too much about lent since I grew up southern baptist. I have taken on a lot of reading and research & come to realize that lent is a special time to really reflect upon your sinful ways and to rejoice in Gods time in the desert before his ministry. I have been thinking about what I could give up and there are tons of things that consume me.. So basically I'm trying to not let the things that I " have to have" like the internet, television, and my iphone "take me over" this period of time. I want to take this serious & try to gain my love again for God. I feel like if I can discipline myself as a christian than God will hear my cries and my prayers. Im not only doing this for my own self gain but for my kids as well. I always want God to hear me when I call to him about my children. I have also decided to fast. I have been researching this for years and finally decided to do it. There are many times in the Bible Jesus did it and so did others. I want to take away & God to fill me in this time. I think this could possibly rejuvenate me in many ways. It seems weird I guess but I think God will fufill me and what can be better than that?? So hopefully I can not let a certain thing consume me-----This is going to be really hard for me but i think it something that will be good for me.

Here are some reasons why I decided to fast:

* Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, "when you fast," not if you fast.
* Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.
* Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."
* Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
* The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!
* Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.
* Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others.
* Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14:


Wish me luck!!!!!!! :)