Prayer: The Gate

I am starting to loose my appetite.  It usually takes 48 to 72 hours for this phase to happen.  Then the fast becomes easier.  I normally do short fasts like 24 hours, so once I reach this phase I wonder why I don’t do the longer fasts more often because it does get easier.  So doing the 24 hour fasts is just doing the hard part.

I have continued to walk the dogs each night, and we walk about a mile or so.  A little exercise is good for the body as well right now.  No need to stop all activities over a few missed meals. 

The fast is affected by your attitude.  You decide to do it and decide it will be an enriching experience. 

Prayer time during a fast is amazing.  If daily prayer gives you a audience in the throne room of God, fasting and prayer takes you straight to his feet.  I feel 24 hour exposure to the presence of the most high God.  It is euphoric and enlightening and frightening and peaceful all at the same time.

It is interesting that motivation by fear can induce rioting after a day without power or food for groups of people.  They are willing to beat up or kill someone or destroy a store and steal, when in reality prayer would be more effective.   And considering the fact our bodies can go 30 days without food, there is just no need to cross the line of death and destruction. Mahatma Gandhi changed the course of history and the fate of the people of India with his devotion, faith, and discipline in fasting.  He let go of the fear and expected miracles. 

I have a prayer petition for myself today, I am asking for completion of a transactioin that seems to have been stuck. I am visualizing a quick and satisfactory resolution.  But my prayers are also encompassing a number of other people as well.  Be blessed today.

Newsong

My tongue is white today.  This is a good sign.  I still have a few hunger pains, but that should pass by this afternoon around 3:00 pm.

I did my first fast at age 16.  It was a 5 day fast, which was probably a little long for my age and the fact I was always thin growing up. 

Several things happened during that fast.  I learned I could stand on the promises of God.  I experienced the euphoric feeling of not needing much from the physical world except clean water.  It made me feel free, and maybe slightly superior to other mere mortals.  I know now that is not true, but at 16… I needed to feel superior about something.

Day 2 – Healing

Today I want to pray for healing for people, those I know and those I don’t.

“Dear Father, I come to you through your son Jesus.  It is said that by his stripes (wounds) we are healed.  Let the restorative, healing power renew and heal those who call upon you.  Their faith has made them well.”

I especially want to pray for:

• Idabelle B. for healing, strength and comfort
• Betsy B. for healing, strength and comfort
• Jim B. for healing, strength and the vision of faith to be real to him
• Donna C. for healing and strength
• Jim D. for healing
• David S. for healing and vision
• Robert S. for healing

“Thank you God, for answered prayers. Amen”

Newsong

I was praying last night and felt compelled to fast dinner.  I have a staff meeting and breakfast every Monday, but when praying this morning to break my fast, I again felt as though I needed to draw close to God and pray while continuing my fast.  So I got quiet, listened for God’s voice and presence.  I feel I need to fast for 7 days.  You might say “whoa, what are you thinking?  You are imagining this, or making it up or something”.  But I have gone with the “still small voice” more than once in my life without regret.

Seven days is a long time.  I made it through the meeting this morning with water and a cup of decaf green tea (no sweetener) and I will continue for the next 7 days.  It feels strange writing a blog about this as I usually keep my fast a secret.  But perhaps someone has considered fasting and prayer and wants to read about it, or comment, or there are folks with a lot of experience with fasting a prayer and want to share their comments as well.

Fasting is not just about going without eating.  It is not about starving.  It is a sacrifice you make before God, and let him know you are willing to deny yourself to draw close to him and hear his voice.  There have been several prayers on my heart this week.  I find it interesting I have seven prayers and seven days of fasting.

WORK – Day 1

Today is about work.  I am praying for my employer, co-workers, and our clients.  I pray for businesses all over the world that employ people so we can live our lives, raise our kids, buy homes, keep quality food on the table.  We are blessed, and I am grateful for all those in my work life.  I want to be a blessing to my employer and co-workers and our clients.

I also want to ad a prayer for our troups.  Speaking of work, they have the toughest job I can imaging.  My friend Ann K. sent an email about the searing temperatures in the middle east right now and how our military are enduring it in full combat gear. 

“Lord, please hold our troups in your loving hands.  Protect them as they protect us.  Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.

God, comfort them, and bless them, and bring them home safely.  Tend to their bodies, their intellect, and their spirits as well as their families.

I also pray for the company I work for, and for other businesses and companies that provide goods, services, jobs and meaningful work.  Amen”

Newsong

We have more prayer requests I would like you all to lift up.

• Adel A. for faith
• L.D Allen for improved health
• Scott M. Birthday blessings, Happy 30th
• Don L. improved health
• Suzanne E. prayers of thanksgiving
• Rick L. prayers of thanksgiving
• Abby, adjusting to parents divorce
• Catherine for healing and health
• Daryl and Gail for healing
• George, Pete, Verna, Sue, Kelli, and Phillip for continued healing and health
• Steve M. for total healing from cancer
• Jim B. for total healing from cancer
• Betsy B. for strength and comfort – she has lost several close family members this year.
• Marianne L. total healing from cancer
• Global Hope ministries for their continued wonderful work with children in Romania

Thanks for all your prayers and blessing to you.

Newsong