A few weeks ago God told me I was going to fast for three days. I was all, “WHAT!? No way. Can’t do it. One of my kids will end up without a head and my hubs could leave me.” But, after much prayer and confirmation from His Word, the fast was set.

There was the infamous, er famous, passage in Isaiah 58 that always caught my attention concerning fasting.

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Iv’e fasted before, but I knew that God was calling me to a longer, deeper fast that would require more of me than just fighting through one day without food. There was more to pray for, more to ask, more to know… and He was calling the shots, not me.

So, I scheduled the date I knew he wanted and had about three weeks to “get ready.” I kept going back to Isaiah 58 and read over the more promising words like these:

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Well, that makes me feel a little better.

I just didn’t know what to expect. I also felt like it was okay to do a juice fast. I stocked up on apples, carrots, celery, green peppers and water. Friday morning, July 10th, things changed for me.

I printed out Isaiah 58 and another portion caught my attention as I was about to start the first day of fasting.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

This would be something new for me. This would be an experience like no other. I knew that going in. God did something so sweet for me before this. He provided a near stranger who offered to do it with me. She had been talking about fasting at a bible study I was at, and knowing mine was coming up, I was all ears. Her passion for Christ and what happens during her fasts made me spiritually hungry to go physically hungry just to find out what she was talking about. We talked some more and she offered to do it with me. I was so touched. What an honor.

Friday came, the juicer fired up and I had time to sit with God before the day started. I offered my body to Him and just waited for His leading.

Nothing miraculous happened. All I can tell you is that what happened throughout the three days is hard to put in English. “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.” (I Corinthians 2:13)

It’s hard to express the closeness I felt to God. He didn’t say much. I did most of the talking. Things like, “Help me Jesus, I’m starving.” and “Help me make it through!” I kid. There was much talk and worship and prayer concerning the things we had already talked about being the fast’s purpose.

Never in my life had I really understood how much our bodies live for food. Food, not being evil in and of itself, really does set the day’s schedule. Food provides balance. Food helps us think clearly. Food gives us satisfaction. Food is primarily what the physical body lives for.

I’d like to change that. I’d like God and His purposes for me to be what my physical body, my temple, His temple lives for. I want Him to be my satisfaction and find food just a perk. I’d like to use food for the temple and not just stuff it full of food. Food is simply the fuel. Now, don’t get me wrong, food is fun and good! Check out all the feasts in the Bible! Not to mention the one we’ll get when this life is over!

But food, mercy, we think about it a lot. Subconsciously and consciously, food is what is on the agenda. Once that is taken out of the flow of life for a few days, you find your thoughts are moved toward spiritual food, the Bread of Life. Ah, and it is sweet indeed.

I broke my fast Sunday night. I went to my room, sat with Him for about 15 minutes, prayed, journaled and read Scripture, thanking Him for that time. After a few moments alone, hubs and I went and had a nice, light dinner. It was a beautiful way to break my fast.

After my three days fast, I realize how much fasting needs to become a regular thing in my life. I don’t know how often, or when, but I don’t doubt that God will tell me and then provide His Spirit for all things during that time.

What about you, do you fast?