OK 2011, watch out, here we come!  We are fixing to light a fire in our faith that cannot be dimmed.  The 21 Day corporate fast begins tomorrow.  First, may I say, congratulations on taking this leap of faith in the first step.  There is not a time in my life where I feel more exhilerated that a time of fasting.  Of course, anytime you purpose to resist the needs of the flesh....in any way...for the renewal of the spirit, there is going to be a war.  But hang in there...God will richly reward  you.  Spend the next 21 days soaking up as much time in His Word and in His presence as you can. 

Here are some musts...

1.  You must write down your length of fast.  If you just say you are going to fast until you don't feel like doing it any more, you will only make it about 5 hours.  You must decide with the Lord how long a fast He is calling you to, and write it down.  There is an end to the time of fasting, and you need to know exactly when that is. 

2.  You must write down exactly what you are fasting from.  If you leave it up to speculation, it will turn into eating all you see.  Clearly write down exactly what the guidelines of the fast the Lord has called you to are.  There are several examples in the Word of fasting...total fasts, liquid fasts, and partial fasts.  Do not name your fast based on what you can do in your own strength.  Pick your fast as to what you feel the Lord is calling you to.  If you are going to do a fast based on your own strength, you may as well not start one.  My daughter came to me with a delima on picking what she was going to fast...she said it was between cold drinks and vegetables.  Even funnier since I have not been able to get her to eat a vegetable since she came off baby food!  

3.  You must write down what your are fasting for.  What is your purpose?  What are the things in your life you are truly seeking an answer from the Lord on?  What are some things you are wanting the Lord to show you?  Just like in keeping a prayer journal when you write down your purpose you can't get sidetracked or confused.  You will not be as likely to doubt what you are doing or why if you have clearly specified and written down goals. 

Some things need clarifying at this point.  First, this is not a name it, suffer a little, and claim it proposal.  I can not explain the supernatural power in fasting exactly, but the Holy Word of the Lord, spoken by Jesus Himself tells us that it is true.  Mark 9:29 "And he said unto them, 'This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.'".  If the Son of God Himself found it necessary to fast throughout His ministry, and God saw fit to have the Holy Spirit lead Him to the wilderness for a time of fasting prior to the beginning of His earthly ministry, then how much moreso would it be important for us.

Second, in all 3 examples above, you will read that you are to make all decisions in fasting by leadership of the Holy Spirit.  This is not some mystical thing.  In Matthew Chapter 6 it speaks of "when you give", "when you pray", and "when you fast".  Fasting is to be as much a part of the life of a believer as is giving and praying.  In Ecclesiastes 4:12 it states, "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."  Giving, praying and fasting are one of those threefold cords.  Everything a believer does should be in accordance with and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  

But here is one thing life, and fasting,has tought me...to trust Him moment by moment. Not for the end result or the 21 days down the road...but for this very moment and this very hour. If you try to look at the whole thing, it is completely overwhelming.  Look at this moment, this choice, this hour.  Will I trust Him in this moment.  Will I stay focused in this temptation.  Will I choose to worship Him this hour when the enemy is raging, and my stomach is growling. 

I applaud you for your leap of faith in this corporate fast.  I pray that you will leave your feedback and encourage each other through this time.  Share with others on the fast what the Lord is doing in your walk together.  Most of all, seek Him.  Trust Him.  Praise Him.  Rely on Him.  Amen.