Daniel 10:3 “I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”
One of the most asked questions when it comes to fasting is about the what. Fasting is giving up something for a period of time in order to deepen my relationship and strengthen my walk with God. That something can be food, drink, a behavior or habit, or, as Daniel says here, lotions. Saint Paul even talks about married couples setting aside physical intimacy for a time in order to pray more. There are as many possibilities about what to fast as there are people who fast.
Here are three important principles when it comes to making that decision:
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First, fasting should be an offering. And as David said, “I will not give God something that cost me nothing. So, fast something that matters to you.
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Second, fasting should be a gift. The real power of fasting comes from replacing the offering with an exercise that draws me closer to God. Take the time you would be doing the other thing and pray, for example.
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Finally, fasting should be a joy. The Word says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” That applies to fasting as well. Fasting is about your attitude. Don’t make fasting a drudgery or a chore. Fast with delight.
Think about these ideas.
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Fast one meal each day.
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Fast a TV show or just TV period.
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Fast the daily cup of coffee, or some other habitual behavior.
Here’s my fast this year.
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White-no sugar or bread or potatoes.
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Waste-give up my biggest time waster, video games on my phone.
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Walk-take 30 minutes every day to walk AND PRAY.
One last thing going back to Daniel, if you decide to fast lotions, like deodorant…well, just don’t.