Last year around this time (January 2021), I went on a 21 day prayer fast that changed the course of my life, and the entire year ahead. I feel that fasting is something that not many people talk about, or at least I don't personally hear about it from others often, so I wanted to share my powerful experience with one of the many fasts God has called me to in my life! I hope by sharing my personal journey, you will feel encouraged to seek God about fasting, and consider the awesome benefits of denying our own want, will, and desires and seek more of Him!

Why Did I Start the Fast?

At the beginning of every year, I have always felt strongly that it is important to seek God for the year ahead for vision, goal setting, and establishing prayers around the things to come. I don't feel that I can properly do this without intently seeking His will and plan for the year, considering He is the one who has a plan written for my life and our family!

I have done many fasts in the new year to establish God's vision for the year ahead, but this past years 21 day prayer fast was one that truly changed my life! I believe this fast was especially powerful because I was at a crossroads in many areas of life, and I knew I needed specific direction and fresh hope. When I asked the Lord what He would have me do to gain revelation of His will, I knew deep in my heart He was asking me to sacrifice my morning routine, (which is very important to me), and give up my workouts, my normal wake up, and my routine to spend quite time with Him.

What Did Your Prayer Fast Look Like?

The more I sought Him about what this sacrifice would look like, I felt deep in my heart that it was to be a 3 week fast, and He confirmed these details in His word, and also by a deep conviction and peace in my heart. (Although my natural desires were to hold onto my comfort, I knew obedience is always worth the fruit that is produced in the end, which led to peace).

So, for 21 days I embarked on a 21 day prayer fast, where my entire morning was spent with Jesus. I woke up, got some water and coffee, and spent time reading my bible first thing in the morning. I then threw on some clothes and went for an hour long walk, where I did nothing but praise and talk to God. Sometimes I listened to worship music, sometimes I prayed, and sometimes I listened. Each day looked a little different, but the time spent was always fruitful!

After my walk, I took a shower and had breakfast, and continued on my day as normal. But the real sacrifice for me was cancelling my workouts, my emails, my social media, and shutting out all the distractions by heading out for a walk where I simply talked to God for an hour at the start of each day!

What Did You Gain From Your Prayer Fast?

I learned and gained more than I thought or imagined from this prayer fast! The greatest thing I gained was a deeper walk with God! The one thing that I have learned through fasting throughout the years is that the more time we spend focusing of God alone, the more we hear His voice clearly! Although He is always speaking to His children, often times we don't hear Him as He speaks in a still small voice. When we get rid of the distractions and noise, His voice becomes clearer, and our relationship with Him grows as a result!

Another thing I gained was an understanding of what He would have me pray for specifically for the year to come. In the beginning of the 21 days, I was praying out much of what was on my heart, which was my agenda and perspective. As I continued to pray and seek Gods will, I began to receive more revelation of what was on His heart to pray for, which included prayer for others even more than myself! I could also see His plans and heart for my life were bigger than what I was perceiving at the time, and I began to believe for more of His very best!

The most amazing thing was walking that very same path one year later, and thanking God for the fruit of the things I had prayed for the year before! This was the moment when it became clear to me just how much prayer and fasting can be life changing!

I Thought Fasting Meant Giving Up Food?

Fasting can and certainly does mean giving up food at times, but ultimately, a fast is a denial of the flesh, (our will, desires, wants, etc.) to spend time pursuing Gods heart and desires. One of the best things I've ever heard about fasting, which has proven to be true in my life, is that fasting doesn't change God's heart towards us, but rather, it changes our hearts towards God! This is because laying down things in our life, whether it be food, entertainment, or other ways we spend our time, and denying ourselves to seek more of God always softens our hearts!

How Do I Start a Fast?

I am by no means an expert on fasting, and I truly believe I should and could incorporate it more in my life. However I will tell you that what I have learned and experienced has been very telling that it is very powerful and effective! The times I have chosen to go on a fast are the times in my life when I feel that I need direction or clarity, feel fearful or anxious about something, or I feel that my heart is being cluttered by the noise of this world and I'm having a hard time hearing from God. There are other times too, like this specific experience when I know God is calling me to a fast, and He leads me very specifically to one.

Regardless of the way or reason you choose to fast, I can tell you that your heart will be changed for the better, and you will always gain more than what you feel you are temporarily giving up. If you are interested in learning more about fasting, there are many wonderful resources, but here is one of my favorites by Lisa Bevere!