It’s New Year’s Eve and so many people are thinking of new beginnings, again. Every year brings an opportunity to set sail on some new adventure. Some would say it’s a waste of time because a month from now all good intentions will be forgotten. That can be true, if you choose for it to be. For me, I am looking forward to the new year and the many adventures I sense are ahead. Unchartered territory can be nervewracking but also very exciting if you like surprises, which I do.
On January 11th our church will begin a 21 day fast. It will be an opportunity to seek our Father’s heart and to hear His desires and plans for us. Every year, for the past several years I have set aside several days to fast in January. With the exception of last year due to physical issues related to stress. Sometimes it is not possible to fast and can be more harmful than good. Such was the case last year. So I am looking forward to being able to participate and in anticipation of the outcome.
Every time I have done this, God has given me specific direction for the year in every area of my life I inquired of Him on. He is always more excited than I can possibly be to reveal His heart. I have already begun to hear and sense Him drawing me, getting my heart ready to receive. Wow, the God of all Heaven and Earth wants to speak with me. That’s exactly how He planned it from the beginning.
I recently read Jeff Kapusta’s post about his 10 day fast and was inspired to take my fast to another level. Leading up to our corporate fast as a church I will begin a personal fast on Jan. 1. I’m not going to list all that I will fast but will share one, wasted time. This will include not sitting in front of the tv and flipping through the channels until I finally settle on something that I really don’t need to be watching. Instead, when I feel like I want to do this I will read my Bible, pray or listen to a podcast that will feed my spirit not my flesh.
On January 11th I will begin a Daniel Fast. Senior pastor and greatest boss in the whole universe, Bryan McGee (I’m not expecting any brownie points, ok may be just a couple), has posted some great resources to prepare for our 21 day fast. He has also posted a Daniel Fast Information Packet on our website. Check them out, they can be very helpful and may answer some questions you may have.
I also recommend having a notebook or journal on hand. I am the worst journaler, I really don’t like to journal, but when I fast and pray I keep a journal of what God reveals to me. Better yet as I prepare for the fast I set up my journal with categories of the different subjects that I believe God will reveal His heart to me about. For example one year I wrote on the top of each of several pieces of paper an area I was seeking God for; Marriage, Children, Business (we owned our own business at the time), Ministry, etc. As I prayed and God revealed His plan for an area I journaled it on that specific paper. When the fast was over I looked over what I wrote and every area had direction from God. It was exciting. It was like being handed blueprints and Him saying ok, here ya go, I have confidence in you that you can accomplish all of this. He had equipped me and if I was willing I could take those blueprints and build an amazing structure that would glorify Him.
This year as I seek God I am expectant! Especially since I sense His eagerness to speak. My prayer for all who will embark on this corporate time of fasting and prayer will be to have ears to hear and eyes to see the mysteries, wonders and revelations of the heart of our God.
Happy New Year!
