Daniel 9:3-4 So I turned to the LORD God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed............
On January 9th, I joined thousands of Christians in the 21 day Daniel Fast, I`ve waited 16 days into this fast to share it on the blog. Why, because it is so humbling and personal; I made a covenant with God to deprive my flesh the foods that hamper and restrict the true intention of my heart. I desire a closer more intimate relationship with God the Father.
After months of little to no physical exercise, I have abused this body, that is not my own but on loan from God. How can I expect to respond to God`s call and purpose for my life, if my body is not up for the call? Fasting and praying is a cleansing and restoration.
1Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Packing on 15 pounds since July, I have not honored God with my body! Yes, I had unsuccessfully half-hearted attempted to diet, but Christmas goodies soon overpowered my will power.
This fast is not about dieting, it`s connecting to the power of God through prayer and fast. What is the Daniel fast, it is not eating meats, breads, sweets, or drinking caffeine, eating only fruits, vegetables, beans, and brown rice, drinking water and juices. After 15 days I feel so much better, I had become a life-less slog; with no desire to change. Had I started using food to pacify my addictive traits?
I thank God for the scriptures and the nudge from my Emmaus friend Val, that prompted me to take action. Prayer, planning and preparation have allowed me to stand true to this commitment to Him!
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
Hum, defile according to Webster--to make foul dirty or unclean, to violate the chastity of, to desecrate--the truth hurts, but I was defiling my body!
Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Not, as followers and believers in Jesus Christ is the progression of our Christian walk hampered by old hurts, habits and hang-ups that lay hold on our lives?
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Amen!
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