Posted by: John Schaenzer
on May 23, 2010
Fasting also has pitfalls of which I must be aware. If the practice becomes a ritual that takes on a different meaning, dangerous territory has been entered. As with any ritual, fasting can become the object rather than the means. To fast religiously can become a vain exercise losing all spiritual value. Fasting can be a regular event, however, once it becomes a legalistic event, the practice needs to be re-evaluated. Any practice that is legalistic in nature, and is not offered up freely and willingly, is akin to what the Bible refers to as vain repetitions. I begin doing it to satisfy me rather than for it's original purpose, to seek the will of God. I begin losing focus by not gazing upon the Lord, not meditating upon the Lord or scripture. I do not see His majesty and my relationship with Him does not grow deeper. He is not glorified in this exercise.
Lay aside self. Seek God. Seek God's will. Be a doer and not a hearer only.
Fasting 03 - Focus
Posted by: John Schaenzer
on May 23, 2010
It is not wrong to have a focus on a specific issue when entering a fast. In fact, it helps to focus the prayer time in the beginning. I must be willing to shift the focus when I realize what God is trying to teach me. To refuse to adjust is stubbornness, which is born out of pride. I cannot seek God’s will and continue to put my own will first. Fasting is really the practice of laying aside myself to seek God. To clear my mind of my own agenda will allow me to focus on God. Concentrating on God will allow me to see what He is bringing to my attention, what needs to be dealt with in my life. When I seek His will for my life, I need to understand what He wants me to deal with. I must actively desire His will and know that His will is what is best for my life. I must receive His instruction or correction and then act upon it whether it is to build upon something that already exists or be it repentance and starting over. The successful time of fasting transforms from the agenda with which I entered, into the agenda God assigns for me to accomplish. If I am truly seeking God’s will, I must be receptive and responsive to His leading.
Fasting 02 - Examples Fasting 04 - Caution 
Posted by: John Schaenzer
on May 23, 2010
Following are a couple of examples of what could take place while fasting.
For the first example, my decision to fast may be based on my employment situation. Let’s say that I feel miserable at work and don’t like going to my current job. I decide I will fast and ask God to open doors for me to move on to a job that will be a happier place to work where I can enjoy the work, the people and the atmosphere. And of course a pay increase would be a nice blessing from God as well. On the one hand, I could view the fast as a tool that will move God’s hand in my situation, a certain means to attain answered prayer. In this case I would guess that not much would result until I heard God trying to get my attention and I respond appropriately. On the other hand, I could approach the fast as a means of drawing closer to God in order to seek clarity in the situation and to gain a better understanding of His will for my life. This is where God can move in my life because I am willing to listen. The remaining variable is whether I will receive the message and act upon it as opposed to rejecting whatever God offers. This scenario has many possible outcomes. A great new job could come my way. That is exactly what I was asking for. This could happen, but is not the most likely outcome. It is more likely that God would bring to my attention other facets that need refining. Some of the issues may be my attitude, my effort, perseverance, areas of my life that are seemingly unrelated to my employment or any number of things. The point is that we need to learn, as the Apostle Paul did, that God’s grace is sufficient for us.
In another case, I may be focusing on relationships. I may be taken from what I think the issues are to a more personal list of things with which to deal as God sees the need in my life. Am I forgiving, for example? Do I love my wife as Christ loved the church? Am I frustrating my children? Am I selfish with my time, my belongings or my finances? Have I really ever given the situation over to God and listened for the answer? Have I sincerely prayed for all parties involved, for their welfare and prosperity? Am I willing to suffer for their sake? Am I willing to put them first, to put them ahead of myself? Am I jealous or envious? Am I merely throwing a tantrum because I don't think it's fair? I must be willing to move from the reason that I decided to fast to the issues that God wants to deal with in my life. This is not to say that God will not deal with my initial desire. He has full knowledge of what is on my mind. He also has full knowledge and concern for what is best for my life and my relationship with Him. Sometimes it is our focus that needs the change. I need to remember that I committed myself to follow Him, not to have Him serve me.
Fasting 01 - Reason Fasting 03 - Focus 
Posted by: John Schaenzer
on May 23, 2010
The reason for fasting should be a desire to draw closer to God. Through the proper practice of fasting, a person can clear the mind of selfish desires and seek to clarify the will of God. This is accomplished by concentrating on God in prayer, scripture reading and meditation on the Word.
At various points in life, denying self in an effort to draw closer to God is a good thing. Generally speaking, most people who fast do so at a time when something is needed in life. Sometimes it can be something tangible such as employment, financial assistance or relational issues. Sometimes the focus can be to clear up general feelings of being lost, confused or uncertain about the path of life. Whatever the issue is that brings a person to choose to fast, one of two results will most often happen. The first result will be nothing. This is usually because the focus was on the practice of fasting and not on God. If the purpose is to accomplish the fast as a goal of personal achievement, then that is most likely what it will remain. God may break through to gain one’s attention, but the focus will need to change midstream. If the focus changes to seeking God and His will, result number two has a chance to be accomplished. Result number two is that God will focus our attention on the things He wants us to deal with as He sees the need. We may have come to the decision to fast based on a life issue that we are dealing with, but as we draw closer to Him, He shows us the real issues of the day that He would like us to confront.
Fasting 02 - Examples
