Good Shepherd Community Church

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives to each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Habits of Grace
Week 1 – Fasting
Week 2 – Prayer
Week 3 – Bible Study

Fasting is not eating for a period of time for spiritual reasons.

Fasting is SAVING ROOM for something BETTER.

“Jesus, Who Himself fasted...rewards with spiritual power the soul that is thus ready to give up everything for Him and His Kingdom.”

– Andrew Murray

Fasting is an expression of HUNGER FOR GOD.

Isaiah 45:15: “Truly, you are a God who hides himself…”

Hebrews 11:6: “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Perhaps the reason we don’t have more hunger for God is because we are STUFFED with other things.

The reward of fasting is more of GOD HIMSELF!

“If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. God did not create you for this. There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened. I invite you to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with some simple fast: ‘This much, O God, I want you.’”

– John Piper, Hunger for God

Big Idea:
Save room for something better by FASTING to express and intensify HUNGER FOR GOD!

Next Step Takeaway:
• Fast one 24-hour period a week through January as we begin 2026, namely, from Tuesday after dinner through Wednesday lunch.

1. If you are under 18, get permission from your parents to fast from food. If you struggle with an eating disorder, DO NOT fast from food.

2. Prepare for the fast from food the day before by eating fruits and vegetables, not drinking much pop or coffee, and drinking plenty of water.

3. The day of your fast, drink plenty of water or juice and very little caffeine.

4. While fasting, let every feeling of hunger remind you of your hunger for God. Tell God: “This is how much I want you.”

5. During times when you would normally enjoy whatever you are fasting from, spend the time reading the Bible (“Do the Bible” Reading Plan) and pray for God to draw you closer to Him.

6. Have specific prayer requests in mind. Pray for His will to be done in specific areas of your life, or for Him to give you freedom from specific struggles in your life.

7. Don’t make it obvious that you are fasting, and do not brag about your fast.

8. Expect it to be hard. The devil does not like it when we fast. Don’t be surprised if someone offers you your favorite food that day, or if someone does something to intentionally annoy you.

9. Decide in advance how long you will fast, and don’t break the fast early. Endure to the end.

10. Celebrate the end of the fast by worshipping God through enjoying whatever you were fasting from. Enjoying these things can honor God as much as fasting from them if they are done with thankfulness and worship in your heart.