Pray
Before you begin reading, take some time to ask God to open your eyes to what he wants for your life during this day of fasting. Don't focus so much on the next 21 days as you do on today.
Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-12
King Jehoshaphat and the nation of Judah were up against the wall. They were about to face a massive army that was bent on destroying them and they knew it was more than they could handle.
In desperation and as an act of faith, Jehoshaphat decided to fast and pray. Jehoshaphat led the nation in a prayer. At the conclusion of the prayer he said to God, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
Jehoshaphat knew that God's perspective on the situation was the same perspective he needed to have. And in the end, God gave them an overwhelming victory.
Journal/Meditate
When we are up against the wall, we tend to buckle down and try to handle it ourselves. Or, we just roll up in a ball and give up. As Christ-followers, we have another option. We can stand firm—on our knees—and see things from a higher perspective. God is bigger than anything we will ever face.
Think about an area of your life where you need God to show up. Write down some different things that God is showing you about this situation. Now focus on seeing that situation from God's perspective.
Apply
1. As you come up against obstacles throughout your day-whether they are large or small-get in the habit of praying before you do anything else.
2. Thank God for the ways he is working in your life and how he is helping you see things from a new angle.
Pray
Take a moment today to thank God for all he is doing as you fast. Thank him for the options he has made available and the benefits that will come from sticking with your commitment.
Read Daniel 1:1-20
Daniel was in a foreign land with foreign rules. He was chosen out of the crowd and put on the fast track with all the perks. Daniel received special food from the king's table that most people would love to have. Not only was it an honor, it helped him fit in to this foreign land with foreign rules and rulers.
Yet, in the midst of this, Daniel had a difficult decision. "When in Rome, do as the Romans..." was a real option and it had privileges. But, Daniel knew God had a better plan for his life. Daniel was left with the decision to pursue the privileges of the foreign land or make changes that aligned him with God's plan.
Journal/Meditate
Daniel put his faith into action and trusted God's plan. As a result, God blessed Daniel's life in ways the foreign rulers could not. And Daniel's decision also led to opportunities for others to experience God's blessings.
In what area of your life are you in a "foreign land"? Rather than giving up or giving in, use this time to reveal God's plan to others. Stay true to God's plan for your life and you will see blessings accrue. And not only that, you will allow other people the opportunity to experience the greatness of God's plan.
Apply
What changes do you need to make in order to follow God's plan in the "foreign land" of your life?
Use these opportunities to bless others by showing them God's plan.
Pray
Before you begin reading, ask God to reveal His plan and purpose for you during this day of fasting. Don't focus so much on the diet and discipline, but on what He wants to reveal to you today.
Read Matthew 4:1-11
Prior to embarking on His public ministry, Jesus was led into the desert and fasted for 40 days. At the end of the 40 days, He went toe-to-toe with Satan and faced some serious temptation. Satan knew Christ was vulnerable and he did his best to cause Jesus to sin. Jesus, though, stood firm and refused to give in to the temptation.
After 40 days of fasting and solitude before God, Jesus was intently focused on God and His plan. Not even the most devious scheme Satan could devise would knock Jesus off focus. Jesus' purpose to redeem the world would not be compromised!
Journal/Meditate
The temptation of Jesus in the desert reveals a lot about Satan and his deceitful ways. He will often attack us when we are at our weakest point, when our cravings are at their all-time high. Satan's only goal is to keep us from fulfilling our God-given purpose.
But our mission in life to serve Christ and reflect Him in all we do supersedes any physical or emotional desire we may have. And the only way to maintain a proper understanding of our purpose in the face of temptation is to be focus on Christ.
Think about ways your vision becomes clouded by the evil one. What schemes has the evil one used to try and get you off purpose? Make a list of ways you can make sure your focus remains strong.
Apply
1. Take time today to refocus on God's purpose for your life. Thank Him for giving you the ability to be victorious in the face of temptation.
2. Whether it is your media intake, too much work, lack of a budget, missing church, or anything else, remove the stumbling blocks that keep you from maintaining your focus and purpose in life.
Pray
As you prepare to read God's word, take a moment to give Him glory for all that He has provided for you. And thank Him for the work that He is doing in your life.
Read Psalm 34:1-10
David was known as a man after God's own heart. Whether facing times of trial, desperation, boredom or victory, David always turned his face toward God. He continually sought God's wisdom and direction for his life.
David knew that God was the only one who could truly satisfy and provide for all his needs. And he knew that God was the only one who could truly deliver him from his doubts and fears. And because he knew that, David continued to give God glory and praise through everything he faced.
Journal/Meditate
No matter what he was facing, good or bad, David always gave praise and glory to God. And he called those around him to do the same thing. He never took credit for his victories. He never blamed God when things got difficult. David knew that those who seek the Lord faithfully will find satisfaction and protection in His arms.
Are you turning to God in every situation you face? During this time of fasting, make a point of glorifying God continually. Praise Him for your victories and ask for His guidance during the more difficult times.
Apply
Each day thank God for at least one victory you had during the day. And ask Him to help you in any areas where you are struggling.
Make sure to use the victories and struggles as opportunities to point others to God.
Pray
Take a moment today to thank God for all he is doing as you fast. Thank him for the options he has made available and the benefits that will come from sticking with your commitment.
Read Exodus 16:1-12
Let's take a brief trek down memory lane. The Israelites had been in slavery for hundreds of years. God sent Moses, and through a series of miraculous plagues, Pharaoh was convinced to release them. Once the Israelites were released, though, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his entire army to chase them down. But God miraculously parted the Red Sea: providing an escape route for the Israelites and a death trap for the army. They were finally free! If anyone had a reason to thank God, it was the Israelites. That act alone should have been enough to last them a lifetime.
But, a growling stomach can drown out even the loudest cries of victory. This newly-freed group of people was hungry and it changed their perspective on everything. Instead of focusing on what they had, they could only think about what they didn't have. Food became more important than freedom.
Journal/Meditate
Do you ever lose perspective? While you are participating in this fast, are you focusing on what you can't have or on all that you already have? Take a few minutes today to make a list of the things you are thankful for-especially things that you may normally take for granted.
When we take time to express gratitude to God, it reminds us of the many ways he provides for us every day and it reaffirms that he is "the Lord your God."
Apply
Make a list of what you are thankful for. Try to think of things you may not have thought of before.
Look at everything in your life as a gift from God. Because when you do, you will gain a new perspective on all He has provided for you.
Pray
Take a moment before you read and ask God to open your heart to what He has to say. Listen closely to His still, small voice as you read the account of Adam and Eve.
Read Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
God gave Adam and Eve the freedom to experience nearly everything in the Garden. The blessings and opportunities were innumerable. They had free reign, with only one exception. God instructed Adam and Eve not to touch the tree in the middle of the Garden. Yet, despite the countless blessings available to them, Adam and Eve chose to hang dangerously close to the one restriction.
Satan used that one restriction to manipulate and seduce Eve (and in turn, Adam) away from the will and blessing of God. He twisted God's words and caused them to focus on the one thing they were told they could not have. And the seduction was all about their appetite-both physical and spiritual. Satan distracted Eve from the blessing and shifted her focus to the one thing she could not have. And ultimately, they exchanged freedom for a taste of what was restricted.
Journal/Meditate
During this fast, have you focused on the freedom or restriction? We are free to eat of all the fruits and vegetables God has created. There is no way to count all the possibilities. Yet, with all the freedom we have been given, it is tempting to focus on the few restrictions.
Satan can manipulate the freedom God has given us in many areas of our lives. He can make God's freedoms feel restrictive. Don't let Satan manipulate you into giving up the freedom God has given.
Apply
Spend today focusing on the freedoms you have in this fast.
Ask God to reveal areas of your life where you have been manipulated into trading in your freedom.
Pray
As you prepare to read God's word, take a moment to thank God for being your constant provider. And thank Him for giving you spiritual nourishment during this time of physical fasting.
Read Genesis 25: 24-34
As the eldest of two sons, Esau was in line to receive the family birthright-a privilege that included authority over the family's estate, control over the family's finances, and most importantly, God's blessing. The birthright was a tremendous honor; and to lose it, no small thing.
Journal/Meditate
In a world where self-discipline and restraint are quickly fading, Esau is a great example of how instant gratification can be costly. But before we rush to judge Esau, we must ask ourselves, "Am I willing to bargain away future blessings in order to have what I want right now? Do I ignore the long term consequences of my choices in order to experience momentary satisfaction?"
God doesn't want us to make poor choices. But when we make those choices, God often allows us to live-out and experience the consequences in order to help us mature.
Apply
Learn not to focus so much on "What I want now." Rather, focus on what God has in store for your life.
Before making any decisions, ask yourself, "Is what I'm choosing the best thing considering God's plan for my life? Is it His will? Is it in line with His desires?"
Pray
As you prepare to read God's word today, take a moment to think about prayer. Consider what you think prayer is, and isn't. And ask God to help you discover the revolutionary way prayer can change your life.
Read Matthew 6:5-8
In a world steeped with temple traditions, theological rituals and priestly routines, Jesus' instructions on prayer turned the religious world upside down. Many of the religions elite during the time viewed prayer as a means to elevate themselves and display their superiority when it came to the things of God. But Jesus saw through the hype of these hypocrites and taught otherwise.
People had never heard anyone speak about prayer the way Jesus did because He taught "as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." Jesus taught that prayer was alive, growing, and vibrant. Prayer was no longer something to be seen by men as a means to establish superiority. Jesus showed the world how prayer is something that acts as a lifeline to connect us with God.
Journal/Meditate
One of the greatest lessons Jesus taught about prayer was the fact that God knows what we need before we ever ask it. And while some view that statement as an opportunity to duck out of prayer altogether, the real strength of that truth is that it frees us up to just pray. We no longer need to worry about what we say in prayer.
The words we use to talk with God are not as important as the fact that we are coming to God with our requests. God isn't concerned with whether or not we use the right pronouns, verbs, sentence structure or train of thought. All God is concerned about is that we come humbly to Him and talk about what is going on in our lives.
Don't get hung up on the semantics of prayer. Instead, focus on the amazing fact that God is waiting for you to come to Him and talk about what is going on in your life.
Apply
When you sit down (or stand up or lie down or kneel) to pray, simply open up your heart to God. Tell Him in plain language about your feelings, your thoughts, and your desires. Don't worry about the words that come out of your mouth. Just start talking with God.
Pray
Ask God to reveal His truth to you during this time of prayer. Open your heart to receive His word, and listen to how God wants to use this time to lead you to a larger than life existence.
Read Numbers 11:10-15
Moses knew what it was like to be overwhelmed and overburdened. Though he loved the Israelites, they also drove him crazy at times! They always seemed to be complaining about something. Ironically, in this passage, they were complaining because they didn't have any meat to eat. Though God had miraculously delivered them from slavery and supernaturally met their every need, it wasn't enough for them! They wanted more.
But Moses was not afraid to take his feelings to God. And he went to God in times of frustration, irritation, and pure anger. But Moses also went to God in times of joy and happiness. When it came to prayer, Moses held nothing back from God.
Journal/Meditate
Many of us have felt overwhelmed and overburdened in the workplace, in our homes, or in our social circles. But so often we think we can't bring these issues to God. How did Moses do it day after day? How did he maintain his sanity?
The key was that he knew that God was ready to listen-no matter what. There were probably many occasions when Moses was hanging from his last thread and he unloaded on God. But that's what God wants. He wants you to come to Him when you are irritated, frustrated, or just plain angry-just as much as He wants you to come to Him when you are happy, joyous and victorious. Don't hold anything back when it comes to communicating with God, because God is big enough to handle anything you bring to Him.
Apply
When you talk with God, find a quiet, solitary place and imagine that God is sitting next to you. Then, just start talking. Don't be afraid to share your frustrations. But don't just talk. Be ready to listen. You may find that the issue isn't with everyone else. He may want to use your situation to mold and shape you.
Pray
Take a moment today to thank God for all he is doing as you fast. Thank him for the options he has made available and the benefits that will come from sticking with your commitment.
Read 2 Kings 2:23-25
Elisha was a man of God. Account after account throughout 2 Kings shows how God used Elisha in miraculous ways. Elisha purified poisoned water, miraculously fed a hundred people, blinded enemies of his people, prophesied military victories and famines, and even brought a young man back to life. Elisha is undoubtedly one of the heroes of the Old Testament.
Journal/Meditate
God invites us all to join him in a conversation known as prayer. He wants us to openly and honestly communicate-in good times and in bad. God wants us to come to him and express dreams that we have told no one else about. He knows that at times our communication will be selfish. There are times our communication will reveal dark things in our hearts like hurt, anger, bitterness and envy. And it can be scary to share those parts of our heart with God.
But like Elisha, we can express our deepest secrets to God without worrying that He is going to be shocked and punish us. God will work through our honesty to align us with His will.
Apply
Search your heart for the deep secrets you have been hiding from God. Spend the next few minutes opening up and being honest with God. Don't worry about what you say. Simply go to God and begin to pray.