There was a prayer request.
I heard that Sister M*****, a very sweet lady only two years my senior, has lymphoma. Before it seemed that God had healed her, and there was much rejoicing. I haven't seen her a whole lot though, I heard she was getting chemo from her husband and that she wasn't feeling well. But when she came to church on Sunday, I could tell that she wasn't 100%. That bugged me, but I told her it was good to see her and that we missed her much.
But then, last night at the womens prayer meeting, it was revealed that the cancer had returned, and she wasn't responding well to treatments. At that moment, I felt the need to do something. I felt what I can only say is God... telling me that I should fast for her.
Now I'm not a stranger to fasting. Before I was married, I fasted much more than I do now. I did several 7 days, 3 day fasts... even did one 3 day with no food OR water. But that was 7 years ago. I haven't fasted much at all since then. I have 3 kids, and a job.
But I'm not one to question God. He showed me the benefits immediately. *I* need it. You see, fasting isn't a "hunger strike" to change God's mind. It's not twisting God's arm. Fasting changes YOU. And I knew... I needed change. I wasn't who I used to be. I wasn't who I should be. I need a change.
And it's not so much what I need. Sister M***** needs it. If I don't stand in the gap, as her brother in Christ, and pray for her, and fast for her... who will? If I got cancer and my treatments weren't working... who would stand up for me? I could imagine the lonliness she might feel, or share only with her husband. And maybe, just maybe... a fast could ease that burden, somehow.
Apart from what I need, or Sister M***** needs... what about the church? The church could use an injection of something. Some power. Not saying that *my* fasting will propel the church into revival... but it might light a fire. It might inspire someone to step out of their comfort zone.
Apart from the me, or Sister M*****, or the church... my family. I can feel that we have been rotting spiritually. Getting lukewarm in spirit. And I don't want to raise my kids in that sort of atmosphere. I want a breakthrough. In every area in my life I want a breakthrough. I want a breakthrough in my family, in my church, in my own devotions... and Sister M***** needs a breakthrough.
If I don't do it, who will?
So, I'm beginning a 40-day fast.
No food. I cringe thinking about it. No food.
All the water I need... because I need to be healthy, and need lots of water to cleanse out the toxins and waste that my body will be producing. I also need to keep the PH of my bloodstream up, because my body will be converting fat to ketones, which are acidic in the bloodstream. I will take a daily multivitamin. I'll take small drink of V-8 juice each morning, to give me some nutrients. I'll take a cup of milk at night, to give me some others I may need. If you think that's "cheating" on a 40 day fast, then by all means, you try it.
I'm going to do what I need to do. I don't want to end up in the hospital. If I feel like I'm not able to perform my daily duties to my family, my church, and my job, I am not adverse to consuming broth or light soup.
But the main part of this isn't going without food, although that's what a "fast" implies... it's about a change of mindset. It's about praying. It's about humbling yourself. It's about abstaining from sin. It's about reading the Bible. It's about doing without the usual mundane things that might occupy your time... TV, video games, movies... and instead focusing upon God and his things.
What do I hope to accomplish? I would like to see Sister M***** healed. I would like to see revival in my home, my church, my family. I would like to see others inspired to good works (though I won't tell anyone, apart from my wife, that I'm fasting).
That's another thing. The Bible makes it clear... JESUS makes it clear, that when you fast, you don't brag about it. You don't "distort your face" so that other people know that you're fasting. You act normal and try not to appear to others that you are fasting. Otherwise, the reward is that "other people think you are spiritual", and if you are doing it for other people's attention... you aren't doing it for God's attention.
So, starting from sundown, last night, September the 13th, I'm fasting. With God's help, I will break the fast on October 23rd, around sundown. And again with God's help, I'll be posting on here my progress, challenges, successes, and breakthroughs. And hopefully, at the end, I'll have made a difference.
"And of some have compassion, making a difference" - Jude 22
Sister M***** may not be "full of faith", she may be discouraged... but I feel full of faith right now. I want to make a difference, and lift up my sister to the Lord. Just as Aaron and Hur lifted up the arms of Moses... so I can lift up M*****'s arms.
And I can make a difference. Because that's what I was put on his earth to do.
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