40 Days of Spiritual RebootSample

CENTRE DOWN

Today we begin thinking about the place of fasting in our spiritual renewal. This may be new to you or something that you have attempted or perhaps even successfully accomplished. I have seen this to be one of the most effective methods of spiritual realisation. By this I mean, nothing makes you more aware of how small, physical and temporal a being you are, like fasting does.

Let's begin by asking why this is necessary. We are already committed to it so we aren’t trying to sell the idea here. We are questioning the need for it in our lives right now. Let me explain...

Fasting breaks the yokes of bondage. So is there some habit, relationship or emotional trap I’m stuck in that I need to be set free from?

Fasting humbles us and gives us a real-time view of God and eternity - Is there a prideful spirit or an unhealthy view of life that has taken over me so that I need to be cut down to size?

Fasting moves the hand and heart of God for matters that are critical to the church, marriage or provision. Is there a crisis of leadership, direction, climate or spirit of gossip etc that might require fasting to move God to intervene?

Fasting places the spirit front and centre and relegates the flesh to its rightful position. Has lifestyle and circumstances made us carnal minded and flesh-led individuals? Is there a carnality that has crept in that needs to be detoxed from the system?

Now that we get the idea, we want to search our hearts to see what that deeply spiritual reason is for which we want to fast. Just fasting does not amount to anything and we will fail and become even more complacent in our spiritual journey.

Today you will read a portion of scripture as your regular diet and a short verse on fasting. Then you will spend a few minutes writing down solid reasons or critical situations in your life that call for fasting as a militant response to renewal.

OPEN YOUR BIBLE

Read 2 John. Enjoy God’s presence and promises.

Read - Psalm 35:13-14 “I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest.I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.”

COME CLEAN

Come clean about your thoughts about fasting to God. Tell him how you feel about it. Is it drastic? Does it scare you? Are you nervous to realise how addicted or dependent you are? Are you afraid to discover how carnal you might have been all along? You don’t have to answer these questions. These are just guidelines to start up this conversation with God.

Fasting is an intense time of engagement with God. So you need to get started with that deep engagement.

Food isn’t the main thing in fasting. Ooops… I let it out. I will share with you over the next five days my personal experience of fasting 1, 3, 7, 30 and 40 days.

Deal with your fear and nervousness with God, because tomorrow onwards I will introduce you to fasting as part of this 40 day reboot. Its going to be amazing!