Proclaiming a Fast

In Carla's article, she shares the following definition:

40 Days for Life is a proclaimed fast, rather than a personal fast. “A proclaimed fast is for the purpose of bringing believers into a place of hearing from God. The main reason a proclaimed fast brings results is that it causes people’s minds to go in one direction - toward God. Once their attention is focused on Him, His presence is manifested (2 Chron 20:3-5). A proclaimed fast is valuable and effective because it causes unity and singleness of purpose”.

Did you catch that?

Focusing our attention on God causes us to unite with others of the same heart and mind, the same singleness of purpose. Focus on one leads to accord with all.

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is one! We are to love the Lord alone with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves.

When we fast, we are living the Golden Rule sincerely. We are having a singleness of purpose with our brothers and sisters that leads us to deeper relationship with God. Our deeper relationship with God leads us to unity with our siblings in Christ. Fancy that!

Perhaps the greatest value of our 40days campaign is that it draws together all people of goodwill towards this 'singleness of purpose'  -- namely, the end to willfull violation of human dignity and the destruction of innocent human life. Where abortion breeds violence, self-loathing, sorrow, and pain to its victims (mother, child, family), prayer with fasting fosters peace, dignity, joy, and jubilation.

When I stand at the corner of 320 E. Fulton, my stomach empty and twisting in knots, I feel such peace in surrendering this place to Jesus, who knows the suffering taking place in the mother and in her womb. I feel almost elated in prayer knowing that God sends holy angels to comfort the afflicted children. I know that those who promote the lie of emancipation are really choosing fear and despair over hope and trust. Abortion, like all sin, does not bring freedom. Rather, it places limits on what is possible. It narrows, confines, imprisons, and corrodes.

Let's revisit that quote above: Once their attention is focused on Him, His presence is manifested.

We stand at the corner of 320 E. Fulton to proclaim as the Body of Christ, the People of Israel, that God is here. Not in some fairy-tale way, but because you and I, dear reader, have brough our hearts, fully cognizant, fully attuned to the Word, fully in prayer, to stand witness on behalf of those whose lives end with no recognition of their dignity or worth. Our standing, silently, vigilantly, is an act of worship of the One who drew us there in the first place.

When we face the nondescript office windows, we are focusing in one direction and one direction only: the gate of heaven through which we pray the Lord will receive us one fine day. We focus, we plant our feet on that sidewalk, and we will move mountains, dear reader. We will surely move mountains.

Plus, we'll meet some wonderful friends of one accord, and that is a beautiful thing.

Why Fast?

Carla Ludwig, a member of our GR40Days team, has written an article on fasting that I would like to share with the readers of this blog. I likewise submit the second article, "How to Fast", for your edification. Please note her works cited, at the end of each article.


Most of us have a vague idea about what fasting is. We think it’s a religious thing to do, and that we probably should be doing it. But just exactly why and how to fast is something we don’t have a firm handle on. The term “fast” is not biblical or religious, in itself. Fasting, in the religious sense, is not merely abstaining from food. People can choose not to eat for a variety of reasons, such as dieting, but this is not fasting. According to Andrew Wapakala, “fasting is abstaining from anything (in terms of the influence of the body) so that your spirit man can dominate and therefore make you more sensitive to God.” *

Fasting involves prayer, repentance, and searching one’s heart and God’s will. It has everything to do with intent. Fasting is used to draw closer to God and to focus on Him. It should bring us into a right mental and physical relationship with God. It is about seeking His direction. Fasting “does NOT change God; fasting changes YOU!” *

40 Days for Life is a proclaimed fast, rather than a personal fast. “A proclaimed fast is for the purpose of bringing believers into a place of hearing from God. The main reason a proclaimed fast brings results is that it causes people’s minds to go in one direction - toward God. Once their attention is focused on Him, His presence is manifested (2 Chron 20:3-5) A proclaimed fast is valuable and effective because it causes unity and singleness of purpose”. *

The only command found in the Bible to fast is on the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:26-32). However, there are many examples of fasting recorded in the Bible, which demonstrate to us that God’s people should fast. The most familiar fast may be the time Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and afterward, was tempted by Satan (Matt 4:1-3; Luke 4:2). There are only two other times in the Bible where there was a 40 day fast. Moses fasted 40 days on Mount Horeb before he was given the Ten Commandments (Exo. 34:28-29). Elijah fasted for 40 days during a trip from the wilderness to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).

Christ spoke about fasting to His disciples (Luke 5:33-35), but He did not specify why, when, how often, or how long we should fast. In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus states that fasting is between us and God. Our outward appearance should not make people aware that we are fasting.

If we study examples of fasting, we can learn why people in the Bible fasted. Some examples include after the Israelites were defeated by the men of Ai (Josh 7:6), at a time of serious illness, when David sought forgiveness for his sins (2 Sam 12:13-22), and when desperately seeking God’s help, as Jehoshaphat and the nation of Israel did in 2 Chronicles 20:3-4.

Usually we fast because we have a problem and are seeking a solution from God. Fasting puts us in a position to hear from God. (Isa 40:31) (Amp) “But those who wait for the Lord (who expect and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall run and not be weary, they walk and not faint or become tired.” When you wait on God, you are positioning yourself to hear Him; you get His strength *

Fasting is something you prepare for physically, mentally and spiritually. It is solemn and shows reverence toward God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” If we humble ourselves through fasting, prayer and repentance, God will hear us.

So like Jehoshaphat and the Israelites, during the 40 Days for Life campaign, we collectively set all matters aside and turn our focus toward God, Who can change the hearts and minds of the abortionists and their staff, the political leaders and Supreme Court justices of our land, and put an end to abortion.


*Wapakala, Andrew Wafula. “Biblical Principles for Effective Fasting.” www.members.fortunecity.com/awafula/fasting.htm


Other references:


Mahoney, Kelli. “Why Do Christians Fast?” www.christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/WhyWeFast.htm


Wilson, Dean. “What Does the Bible Teach About Fasting?” www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn06/bibletachaboutfasting.htm

How to Fast

Excerpts taken from Bill Bright’s, “7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting & Prayer”

And “Spiritual Fasting & Prayer” by S.E. Ray

When we fast, we our humbling ourselves and seeking God’s will, allowing the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matt 6:16-18, 9:14-15). Once you determine the purpose of your fast, you need to determine:

• How long will you fast? One meal, one day, one day a week, etc
• What type of fast you will do? Water only, water and juices? What kinds of juices will you drink, & how often will you drink?
• Will you restrict any activities? Walk 1-3 miles at most. Rest as much as possible*

It is important to make these commitments in advance because it will help you maintain your fast. Satan also knows of your commitment, and he wants you to break it (Gal 5:16-17).
We want to prepare our selves both spiritually and physically for the fast. In Scripture, God has always had His people repent of their sins before He heard their prayers. To spiritually prepare to fast:

• Ask God to reveal your sins
• Confess your sins, repent, and accept forgiveness (1 John 1:8-9, Ps 69:10)
• Claim victory over sin (1 Cor 10:13, 1 John 5:4-6)
• Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18, 1John 5:14-15)
• Surrender your life to Christ; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Rom 12:1-2)1

Fasting does require some precautions. It is important to consult your physician before undergoing a fast, especially if you are taking prescription medications. If you fast more than one day, ready your mind and body to more easily focus on prayer rather than the absence of food. To physically prepare to fast:

• Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat, high sugar foods.
• Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.
• Expect some physical discomforts, such as headaches from caffeine withdrawal
• Expect some mental discomforts, such as crankiness 1

I Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” During the time of fasting, set aside several times during the day to pray. Since you are not eating, mealtimes may be a particularly good time to choose to pray. It is a set time, and it will keep you from thinking about food.
Pray in faith because God will answer our prayers. “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:6, Matt 7:7). Bill Bright suggests putting yourself on a schedule, such as the following:

• Begin your day in praise and worship. One of the best ways to worship God is to think about His greatness and power. Consider God’s attributes. Thank Him for His work in your life.
• Read/meditate on God’s Word
• Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you (Phil 2:13)1

For a more complete schedule and how to break your fast, go to “The 7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer.”

*Bright, Bill. “7 Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer.” www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/7-steps-to-fasting-and-prayer/index.aspx

Other references:
Bright, Bill. “How to Begin and Conduct your Fast.” www.maranathachapel.org/spiritual_help/images/How_to_Fast.pdf

Ray, S.E. “Spiritual Fasting and Prayer.” www.eternalpath.com/fasting.html