Let's Continue to Cultivate a Lifestyle of Fasting!
Thank you for joining our Fast for Gen Z and America! We would love to hear about any breakthroughs you received during this time. If you have a prayer request, please let us know. Our team would love to partner with you in faith!
Crossroads also invites you to join our nightly Zoom prayer meetings (7 p.m. CST/8 p.m. EST)! Zoom link: https://shorturl.at/SkLSP
Let's continue to live consecrated to Christ, practicing a lifestyle of fasting. Our nation needs revival (Mark 9:29)!
Jesus said, “When you fast…” (Matthew 6:16), not “if”—implying that fasting is meant to be a regular part of a believer’s life. Fasting strengthens our love for Jesus above everything else. His desire is for us to embrace a lifestyle of fasting, drawing closer to Him and valuing His presence far above the things of this world.
Below are some practical guidelines for incorporating fasting into daily life:
Meaning & Purpose:
Spiritual Discipline: Fasting deepens one’s relationship with God by abstaining from food or distractions to focus on prayer and scripture. It disciplines both body and spirit, fostering spiritual growth.
Detachment from Worldly Desires: Regular fasting helps Christians shift their focus from materialism and self-indulgence to God’s presence and priorities. It cultivates self-control and dependence on Him rather than earthly comforts.
Intimacy with God: By quieting external noise, fasting heightens spiritual awareness, making it easier to hear God’s voice and experience His presence. It opens the heart to divine direction and revelation.
Intercession & Prayer: Fasting strengthens intercessory prayer, making it a powerful tool when praying for healing, breakthroughs, or the salvation of others. It reflects a deep spiritual commitment to seeking God's intervention.
Self-Examination & Repentance: Through fasting, believers engage in self-reflection, recognize areas needing growth, and seek God’s forgiveness. It fosters humility and a sincere desire for transformation.
Types of Lifestyle Fasting:
Regular Fasting: Setting aside a consistent day or period each week or month (e.g., fasting every Friday) to maintain spiritual discipline and renewal.
Food-Specific Fasting: Abstaining from certain foods, such as meat, sweets, or processed foods as a regular practice to exercise self-control and refocus on dependence on God.
Daniel Fast: Inspired by the Book of Daniel, this involves consuming only vegetables, fruits, and water for an extended period. It is often used for seeking God and detoxing both physically and spiritually.
Media/Technology Fast: With modern distractions, many choose to fast from social media, television, or unnecessary technology to create space for prayer, reading the Bible, and hearing God’s voice.
Practical Application:
Routine: Making fasting a structured part of life, whether weekly, monthly, or seasonally, to maintain spiritual discipline and renewal.
Community: Practicing fasting with a group or church provides encouragement, accountability, and a shared spiritual experience, strengthening faith collectively.
Personal Choice: Fasting is not one-size-fits-all; it varies based on individual spiritual needs, health conditions, and lifestyle. Each person determines what and how they fast in alignment with God’s leading.
Theological Basis:
Biblical Example: Jesus fasted for 40 days before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:2), and throughout scripture, fasting is seen as a means to seek God’s guidance, strength, and intervention.
Early Church Tradition: The early church and Church Fathers emphasized fasting as a regular practice for spiritual discipline, repentance, and preparation for encountering God.
We hope these guidelines help you in your pursuit of Christ. As always, thank you for your continued support in helping us reach the lost and broken students of America. "The Great Harvest is NOW!"
Blessings in Christ,
Joseph and Team
