Do You Want To Go To The Next Level?

Do you want to break through to the next level spiritually? Do you want to help Redeemer break through to the next level?

One thing that has always helped me is fasting. There a lot of fear and freak out involved when you say the word “fasting” so let me try to explain it for you.

What is fasting?

It is voluntarily forsaking a good and important thing to focus on God and pray. Jesus said “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33) Fasting is one way to put aside another “thing” to seek God first.

With that in mind, think of something that is important to you. It might be food (coffee, sweets, meat, etc.) or it could be something else (TV, facebook, video games, etc.). The important thing is to select something that you will miss or crave.

Whenever you miss or crave that thing, use the impulse as an encouragement to pray.

What do I pray?

Tell God specifically what you are asking Him to do (see Luke 18:41).

I have found it helpful to have a sentence or thought that I pray whenever I’m reminded. It doesn’t have to be a long discussion or take a lot of time. Make it something that you can pray on the go throughout the day. For example:

“God, help me want you more than . . .”
“God, help me know you better.”
“God, give me the Holy Spirit.”
“God, help me stop . . .”
“God, save . . .”

In addition, we will share a thought each day on the blog, facebook page or twitter. Follow whichever format works best for you and pray together with us.

When do I fast?

Lent begins on Wednesday, February 22nd and ends on April 7th. It covers the 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays).

We will fast together on Monday-Saturday. On Sunday, you have a “free day”. Enjoy the thing you have given up. Celebration is an often neglected aspect of the Christian life, so use Sunday to celebrate! Every Sunday is a reminder that Jesus lives and gives life.

How do I participate?

If you’re “in”, then take these steps:

Decide what you are going to fast from.
Decide what you are going to ask God to do.
Go to the appropriate forum for you: Blog, facebook or twitter and let us know by commenting on the post. Also, subscribe to the blog, like the page or follow us. We will post the daily prayer focus through all of these.

It’s going to be exciting to see how God responds as we join together to seek Him!