Prayer...and Fasting

Hey everyone!  I'm going to venture off my usual topic today.  It's been a HUGE week and I
wanted to share what has been going on and a few other related topics.

This topic isn't taught much in churches.  It's unfortunate.  I never knew much about the practice.  Fasting.  I would usually cringe when I heard it.  Pastor Bobby has taught a great deal on the topic and I appreciate it.  He has called his congregation to take part in the practice.  The Bible is full of lessons on fasting.  Unfortunately, we have all but removed it.  Even more, the practice is thought to be outdated and only for those super religious people.

I have read a few books on fasting and they have been very intriguing.  One was authored by Derek Prince and the other by Mahesh Chavda.  I would recommend them both!  In Exodus Moses fasted while waiting for the Lord to speak regarding the Ten Commandments.  Moses also fasted in Deuteronomy.   This book speaks of the time before the Israelites entered the Promised Land.  That was a tough forty years!  In Samuel David fasted for the Lord to spare his child.  This child was conceived with Bathsheba.  The prophet Nehemiah fasted in the book with the same name.  He oversaw the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem.  This was an extremely serious time in Jewish history because the Israelites were reestablishing themselves as a nation.  Esther, Psalms, Isaiah, and Daniel all speak of fasting.  All the stories are full of desperation.  These characters are in desperate times.  We can move into the New Testament and see the same pattern.  The characters of these real stories fasted as part of their walk with the Lord.  A Christian is a Christ-follower so we must look to Him as our example.  Jesus fasted.  I have picked out two New Testament verses that speak of fasting.  The first verse is a simple lesson for us on fasting.  It is a private matter.  The second verse tells me that prayer is important, but adding fasting to it takes prayer to a whole new level.  The story is cross-referenced in Matthew with a slightly different text.  The point is that Jesus recognized the need for both in certain circumstances.  Some manuscripts add fasting to Mark 9:29 and the text in Matthew uses the word fasting.

Matthew 6:16-18)  And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Mark 9:25-29)  When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."  The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead."  But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.  After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"  He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

I'm certainly not lecturing you because I have a long way to go on this practice.  I'm a heck of a lot more obedient on it than I used to be though.  My husband actively fasts and last fall he fasted for an entire seven days.  While I don't think there is a certain time frame we have to stick too because if there was we would become legalistic.  The time is between you and God.  We are all different.  I do think that God desires us to have a willing heart.

This leads me to the situation that occurred this past week.  As many of you know I have severe hormonal issues and have for many, many years.  Anyone have a concrete wall I can pound my head against?!  Seriously though, I have been on quite a journey.  My doctor is AMAZING.  I mean really.  Her office is in Tucson, Arizona.  I have talked to her on the phone every month and sometimes more since our initial meeting last August.  She has truly been an answer to prayer.  Dave and I have introduced fasting into our lives in regards to my treatments and in regards to wisdom for Dr. Vliet.  In one of Bobby's lessons he taught that we may not see an immediate response to our fasting.  We may fast over a situation and not see anything happen right away.  His point was that fasting with a pure heart moves the hand of God.  It might not be in our time, but it moves it.  We continue to fast over my appointments and conversations with Dr. Vliet.  We take them that serious.  We have been utterly desperate at times.  I have wept over the situation and begged God for discernment and wisdom.  I have pleaded with Him to impact Dr. Vliet for not just me, but for ANY of the women she treats.  If they have gone through anything like I have my heart bleeds for them.  I also want to lift up Dr. Vliet personally as she shoulders many serious conditions that her patients have.

Last week Dr. Vliet and I (and Dave) decided to move forward with a total hysterectomy.  This is totally huge!  It is right up there with deciding who to marry and if you should have children.  Having a few organs removed is a big deal, you know?!  I guess I'm telling this story because Dave and I believe there is a connection between fasting and this big decision.  The decision was not made lightly yet we felt very lead to it.  I firmly believe God has lead us to this place.  I hope you can see my point because I feel like I'm not doing a good job of explaining it.  My surgery date is scheduled...the countdown has begun.  I desperately covet your prayers because I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid.  Satan is in the what-if game.  So please keep me in your prayers and Dave too. 

In closing I encourage you to see where fasting fits into your walk with the Lord.  Are there some things in your life that feel stuck.  Do you need God to move in big ways?  Please talk to Him about fasting.  I send you much love!

Walking With God

C. Austin Miles penned In the Garden in 1912.  Mr. Miles' hobby was photography.  He found that his dark room was the perfect room to meet with God.  He even would read his Bible in the blue cast.  One day he was in his dark room reading the Easter story in John.  The verse that stood out the most was John 20:14.  It reads, "At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus."  Mr. Miles says as he read John 20 it was as if he became part of the scene in that garden.  He immediately began writing once he came to from his vision. 

The chorus is just awesome.  I vision heaven when I read it.  Me and God...just walking and talking.  As we stroll He tells me I am His own and I was bought with a price.  Neither one of us has anywhere to go.  After all there is no time in heaven.  What joy I experience!  That experience can only be had by a child and the Father.  I'm brought back to earth though.  I contemplated this song and how it relates to my life now.  Here are my thoughts.

The first verse encourages me to come and meet God.  It is a privilege to get to do so not have to.  I remember my math teacher in 9th grade used to say we got to do homework.  If you asked what homework we had to do he would always correct us and say we GOT to do homework.  I think of that now.  We GET to spend time with God.  I am as guilty as anyone else of rushing through prayer time or simply not thinking it matters.  I think the first verse encourages us to meet God early.  I don't do my studying to later in the day because of my schedule, but I do spend time praying and listening for God before my feet hit the floor in the morning.  Joyce Meyer has said she wants Satan to say, "oh no...she's up!"  We have to prepare our minds and hearts for the day ahead. 

The second verse is convicting to me.  Why?  Well, I do most of the talking during prayer time.  How can I hear His voice if I'm blabbering the whole time about what I want and need and what I think everyone else wants and needs?  When we really connect with our Father something changes in our hearts.  They are uplifted.

The last verse brings it all full circle.  Night has come and I want to stay with Him.  I am not exactly sure what the last few lines mean, but have an idea.  As I'm drifting off to sleep I'm told to go, go to sleep and rest.  Even though I go to sleep He doesn't.  His voice is constantly calling me even when I'm unaware. 

I hear people use the term "my walk with God" often.  What does that really mean though?  Does it mean walking ahead with God a few steps behind?  Or does it mean that I go on my path and then I call Him when my path gets difficult or maybe when I get onto the wrong path?  As I have matured in my faith I have gotten better at letting Him lead.  He want time with me.  I used to think I could read the Bible and then the information somehow transferred to my head.  It doesn't work that way.  I like to visualize myself in the scene.  I love picturing myself bowing before God just soaking up...Him.  He wants time with us.  I get to be with Him.  I am not perfect, but each day I improve.  After all, isn't that was walking with God is?!

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet, the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

I'd stay in the garden with Him
'Tho the night around me be falling
And He bids me go, through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling

And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known