Fasting for JMac

Before a critical time of Esters life she prayed and fasted. At this time, she called for others to fast with her. I am not Esther...and I am not going to see a king...BUT I am a daughter to The King and I humbly stand before you all...weary and desperate...and ask you to join in prayer for healing for my precious husband.

There are many different ways to fast...and how you choose to fast is up to you. You need to pray about it and He will provide that answer to you.

I will be fasting for 3 days...Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Each time I think about food or eating or it is meal time...I will excuse myself to pray and spend time with the Lord...claiming healing for Justin...praying for our trip and his doctors.

Many of you have asked how you can help. I have an idea...but I of course want you to pray about it first. I would like to ask you all to fast on Wednesday. Fasting can mean something different to each of you. You can choose to only eat fruit, you can choose just liquids, you can eliminate meat or maybe this fast will not be about food for you...Maybe you could give up texting for the day or facebook or tv. For ONE DAY...I am asking you to give up something that you typically do several times a day and enjoy. During those times...will you please stop and devote your prayer to Justin?

Fasting is a Godly exercise that brings us closer to Him. Would you be willing to give up some of your favorite things for ONE day...just to intercede for Justin?

Some you may know exactly what you want to pray for that day. You may have scripture ready to look at and a plan of attack already in mind...for those of you who do not...here is a list of specific things to pray for:

1. Justin

2. Misty

3. Bryce

4. Brody

5. Braxton

6. Dr. Chattergee - Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma Specialist)

7. Dr. Parambil - Pulmonologist

8. Dr. Calabrese - Rheumatology

9. Dr. Feinstein - Justins SA Rheumatologist

10. The things he has been diagnosed with: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma), Polymyositis and Fibrosis

11. travel - uneventful flights etc.

12. clarity and understanding for us while at the appointments

13. that we do not get lost in a new city

14. my aunt debbie and aunt kay who will have the boys

15. Gods ultimate presence in the room and drs. wisdom

16. quick return home with answers and a plan

17. Justins pain

18. Justins inflammation

19. another answer other than chemo

20. our health insurance

(i may add more to this next week!)

Fasting can be done individually, like we have read that Jesus, Moses and Daniel did; a whole church can be called to fast (Acts 14:23), or a city (Jeremiah 36:9; Jonah 3:5). In times of strife, an army (Judges 20:26) or a whole nation can be called on to fast (2nd Chronicles 20:3). However, unless we are called to collectively fast for a specific purpose, we should fast and pray in secret and tell no one except the Lord Himself. ‘And whenever you are fasting do not look gloomy like the hypocrites do, for they put on a dismal countenance so that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full already. But when you fast, perfume your head and wash your face. So that your fasting may not be noticed by men but by your Father, Who sees you in secret; and your Father Who sees you in secret, will reward you in the open’ (Matthew 6:16 to 18).

Fasting can be used to ask God’s help. ‘So we fasted and besought our God for this, and He heard our entreaty’ (Ezra 8:23).

Fasting is serious business to God and we must not take it lightly. ‘Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders ... and cry to the Lord’. ‘Set apart a fast and call a solemn assembly’ (Joel 1:14; 2:15).

Fasting can be used to increase the power of God in our life, so we can serve the Lord more effectively just as Jesus did. He was led out, or driven out by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12) and came out of the desert full of the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14). Jesus did not perform one miracle until after He was baptised in water and had fasted for forty days.

Here are some quick facts about fasting:

• Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, "when you fast," not if you fast.
• Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.
• Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."
• Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
• The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!
• Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.
• Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others.
• Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14: