Jan 15th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Praise You, Jesus: Alphabet of Praise (Part 1)

Engaging in a Biblical fast involves more than abstaining from food. We must combine our abstention with prayer and time in God’s word. Otherwise we’re merely on a diet. So as you’re fasting, make time to pray and internalize God’s word. This post is intended to encourage you and serve as a tool in both areas. Prayer Begins with Praise Praise is a vital part of prayer. In fact, when we... read more

Jan 14th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Begin Your Prayers With Praise

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, he gave them a model prayer. Today this prayer is often referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. It gives us an outline for talking to God in prayer. Jesus began His prayer by saying: “Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name” (Matthew 6:9, TLB). He began His prayer with praise.  We connect with God in prayer when we begin by praising Him.... read more

Jan 12th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Shifting Your Focus

Perhaps you’re fasting to enlist the Holy Spirit’s help with a specific problem. The problem and your concern over it may have motivated you to fast, but as you fast, focus on the size and greatness of your God, not the size of your problem. Shift your focus from your problem to your mighty, promise-keeping, holy God! This is what happened when Jehoshaphat declared a fast in... read more

Jan 12th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 1: Welcome

Today is the first day of Pursuit 21. If you’re fasting with us, I’d like to welcome you. I’m excited that you’ve decided to enter a life-changing season of fasting and prayer! Fasting is a principle that God intended for everyone to be able to enjoy. It’s not a punishment; it’s a privilege! By making fasting a way of life, you will get closer to God and grow in your spiritual walk... read more

Jan 9th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

When You Fast

When was the last time you entered into a Biblical fast? Do you believe a Christian should fast only on rare occasions  … if ever at all?  When … Not If After Jesus called his disciples, He gave them their first public teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. In it He explained to them the kingdom of God — its laws and life. He provided the pattern by which each of us is to live as a child of... read more

Jan 30th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

The Fasting Archives (Updated)

  Each fasting post written this year contains a bulleted list of that day’s fasting post from previous years. (For example, the Fasting Day 1 post contains a bulleted list of links to previous years’ Fasting Day 1 posts.) You can access the archives this way through every post, or by searching the fasting category. However, there are now over 100 fasting posts on this site — quite a... read more

Jan 29th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 21: A Closing Prayer

First, A Note of Thanks Thank you for giving me the privilege of walking through this season of fasting with you. It has been a sweet blessing to pray for you and your needs daily. Thank you also for your gracious feedback and words of appreciation. You may not know it, but you encouraged me in a moment when I needed it most. Some have also prayed for me in a comment or sent a message saying you’re... read more

Jan 29th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 21: How To Successfully End Your Fast

Congratulations! You made it! You’re on the very last day of your fast! Did you ever think it would go by so quickly?! I’m proud of you for persevering to the end. I’ve received a few messages from fasters who struggled and contemplated throwing in the towel. But God reminded them this is a marathon, not a sprint; if you fall, you can get back up and run to the finish line. And... read more

Jan 28th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

The Calvary Road, Part 3: Sustaining a Soul Satisfying Vision of God

What we need above all else is to see and savor the glory of God in Christ Jesus. More than financial provision, more than physical healing, more than mended relationships, more than success on our job, more than success in our ministries – we need to see and treasure God’s glory in Christ. After all, it was as we beheld the glory of God in the gospel that we were saved (2 Cor. 4:4,6). Beholding the... read more

Jan 27th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 19: The Calvary Road, Part 2

As Part One of this series discussed, after Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit’s first act was to lead Him into the wilderness where He would be tempted by the devil. Jesus was led of the Spirit to fast these forty days. It was God’s will that the Son of God be tested on his way into the ministry and that Jesus triumph in this testing through fasting. In A Hunger for God, John Piper shows the relationship... read more