Pastor Luis' Blog

Happy New Year!

In preparation for God’s movement in our lives PSCT will be on a 21 day fast to seek God’s direction in our lives and the church. We will be joining hundreds of churches throughout the country in a movement called Awakening. Please join us. Information and instruction are at back.  We’re excited about what God is going to do!

Here is background on fasting:

• What is fasting? Abstaining from something, usually food, for period of time for spiritual purposes.

• What does the Bible say?

–      Biblical examples:  Moses (Exodus 34:28; Deut. 9:9,18), David (2 Samuel 12:16), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4); Esther (Esther 4:16), Daniel (Daniel 1:12), Anna (Luke 2:37), Paul (Acts 14:23), Jesus (Matthew 4:1-2), the early church (13:2).

–      Jesus placed fasting on the same level as financial giving and prayer (Matthew 6:1-18).

–      Jesus said that there is a time for fasting (Matthew 9:15).

–      Paul says we should give ourselves at times to prayer and fasting (1 Corinthians 7:5).

• What is the purpose of fasting?

–      The primary purpose of fasting is to focus on God and to center our attention on Him.  In doing so, we glorify God (Zechariah 7:5).

–      Outer fasting is to lead to inner prayer, worship, and devotion.  We “fast on food so we can feast on God.”

–      Fasting is not for personal glory or any other selfish motives (Matthew 6:16-18).

–      Secondary purposes of fasting:  fasting can reveal non-essential things that control us and take precedence in our lives (1 Corinthians 6:12); fasting can increase the effectiveness of prayer (2 Samuel 12:16); fasting can bring guidance from God in decisions (Acts 14:23);  fasting can bring revelations (Acts 13:2); fasting can help our physical well being (Daniel 1:12); fasting can aid in concentration; fasting can help bring deliverance for those who are in bondage.

¨   But these benefits come only when fasting is our attempt to diligently seek God.

• What are the different types of fasting?

–      absolute fast:  no food or water for a period of time (Exodus 34:28; Esther 4:16)

–      normal fast:  only water, but no food or other drink (Nehemiah 1:4)

–      partial fast:  usually only water, juices, and sometimes fruit (Daniel 1:12)

–      Lent fast:  giving up something specific for the duration of Lent

–      other things to fast from:  people, media, telephone, certain activities/habits, etc.