Fasting is a spiritual discipline and honestly it is hard. I would much rather read my Bible where the only discomfort is if I get a paper cut. But the beauty of Fasting is its ability to be a gateway to other disciplines. If you are willing to commit to fasting how hard is it to pray, meditate, read, or experience silence? Maybe your wondering what to do when God calls you to himself in fasting how do you react what do you do in those times of hunger? How should you get the most out of your fasting experience? The following are introductions to two different ways of including other spiritual disciplines in your fasting regimen. If you can include these you will be on the road to a more fruitful experience.
Bible Reading
Read a section of scripture 3-7 verses not to big not to small
Pray that God would show you the words he wants to tell you. (highlight them or write them down)
Read the same section for a second time
Pray about the meaning of those words
What is God telling you through them?
Read the same section a third time
Pray about how you are supposed to apply them to your life
What is God calling you do to do in response to His Word?
For more information on this type of reading look up Lectio Divina
Silence
Sit in silence (maybe you have to buy headphones to make this possible)
Get comfortable, put your hands open on your lap and both feet flat on the ground
Close your eyes, breathe in deeply, exhale, breathe in, exhale
Silence your mind and wait on God. Just wait on God, don’t think!
Journal any ideas, thoughts, people that are brought to mind
Use the experience of Fasting as an opening to a deeper walk with God.
If you are interested in learning more of spiritual disciplines
The Sacred Way, Tony Jones
Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster
The Life You always wanted, John Ortberg
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