What I like most about fasting is that it reminds us that we live not by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). It makes us vividly aware that it’s not food but God that sustains us.
When we fast, we do more than just abstain from food; we feast extra on the Word of God. As a result, we see our lives in a fresh, divine light. We are able to straighten out our priorities and see how we have allowed unimportant things to crowd out what truly matters.
When you fast natural food and feast on the food that nourishes your spirit, your inner man grows strong. You break free from fleshly cravings that have crept in and enslaved you. The apostle Paul writes, “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything….” Natural desires (fine when kept under the Spirit’s dominion) left unchecked become like rivers that rush past their banks. They wreak havoc wherever they go. Fasting turns back the flood tide and keeps them under control.
Isn’t it wonderful that God has provided us with ways to bring our flesh in line and clear the clutter from our souls so that we can more easily hear from Him? Aren’t you grateful that the Holy Spirit Himself leads us and gives us the grace we need to mortify our flesh so that we can walk freely in the spirit with Him?
I am! And I’ve made up my mind to lay hold of that grace by faith.
By the power of God, I’m going to get the carnal clutter out of my life and set my attention more fully on things above. I’m not going to gripe and complain about it while I do it, either. I’m going to rejoice in it. I’m glad God has given me the opportunity and the power to die to my flesh, because the more I die to my flesh, the more liberty I have in Him!
I know you feel the same way. No doubt, you’re as hungry to fulfill the will of God in these vital days as I am. So in the weeks and months ahead, join me in seeking the Lord about these things. Let Him show you what you can do to clear out your life so you can more effectively perceive and heed the promptings of His Spirit as you watch and pray. Start getting the buzz saws, the hammers, and the yapping voices of the world out of the way so you can more readily hear His still, small voice.
Together we’ll grow ever more alert. As soldiers in God’s army of prayer, we’ll win victories in the final days of this age and lay up rewards for the next. We’ll keep on watching and praying until the war is won.
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”