2024 Daniel Fast - Flipbook - Page 6
Why Do We Fast?
IV. Dealing with the Responses of Friends and Loved Ones
Isolating ourselves from the support of other Christians will cause us to be more susceptible to
doubts and negative influences (both human and demonic). We need the prayer shield of our
Christian friends and family members to help us continue when we feel alone and when the
enemy tempts us to give up Our Lord as he attempted to do to Jesus Christ. Eventually, people
may notice you are not eating as much food. If non-believers ask you, simply say, “I feel the
need to cut back on my food intake for personal reasons.” Or Christians should be satisfied
when you answer that you are fasting today. If friends and family express concern for your
health, ease their fears by telling them that you will stop fasting the moment you feel you are
harming your body or if the Lord leads you to end your fasting. Often when we explain the
Daniel fast, it eliminates worry from our loved ones. There is no reason for telling strangers or
casual acquaintances that you are fasting.
V. How to Make Your Spiritual Experience the Best It Can Be
Receiving God’s best blessing from a fast requires solid commitment. Arranging a particular
time each day with God is crucial in attaining intimate communion with the Father. We must
devote ourselves to seeking God’s face, even (and especially) during those times when we feel
weak, vulnerable, or irritable. Read His Word and pray during what were mealtimes. Meditate
on Him when we wake up in the night. Sing praises to Him whenever we please. Focus on our
Heavenly Father and make every act one of praise and worship. GOD will enable us to
experience His command to “pray without ceasing” as we seek His presence with our whole
hearts (Jeremiah 29:13).
VI. What does it mean to be “WHOLE” in GOD? Briefly, being Whole is defined as Worship of
GOD, Healing through GOD, Obedience to GOD, Loving GOD and others, and being
Empowered through the Grace of GOD.
So, as we begin our fast to seek GOD with our W.H.O.L.E. heart, mind, and soul, let us meditate
on the significance of being “W.H.O.L.E.” seeking GOD’s wisdom on how He would have us
proceed as we become more intimate in our relationship with Him and others.
A. WHAT IS WORSHIP?
Worship is an expression of reverence and adoration of God (Elwell & Beitzil, 1988, p.
2164). In the Old Testament, worship encompassed bringing an offering and bowing down
in the presence of God. (McCaulley, 2014).
Exodus 40:34-35 (NKJV) states, “Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the
glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of
meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle”.
The cloud represented the presence of God. It covered the tabernacle where the Israelites
met and filled the tabernacle. The people only moved when the cloud lifted during the day.
Even when the cloud lifts, it moves but does not leave. The cloud is with the people on their
journey.
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