A call to fasting

On the October 14 MoneyLife radio program, Crown’s CEO Chuck Bentley called listeners to a season of prayer and fasting to solve the economic crisis by turning our hearts back to God.  Listen to the program.

2 Chronicles 7:11-14
Matthew 4:1-4

Steps for Fasting:  
•    Set your own spiritual goals based on what God is leading you to fast from.  Determine if food should be the object of your fast. Other possibilities are media, busyness, worry/anxiety, spending, and poor health habits.
Note:  you should not go on a prolonged fast from food without a medical release from your doctor and some experience with fasting. Click here for a guide to fasting by Dr. Bill Bright.
•    Keep a journal of the experience
•    Use the comment section below to tell us what you’re doing

Comments

[Gwen Randall]

I commit to the 40 day fast from 1 meal per day and no sweets. I look forward to the growth in God and the insight from God in the days as we come together pray for our nation and its economic turn around.

[Terry Dunn]

I am fasting sweets and dinner for 40 days with you and others. I am debt-free for about three years now, Praise Jesus, and love the Lord and His Word!

[Stephanie]

I am fasting from my daily luxury of vanilla chai. I have great expectations to see God work and grow in my relationship with Him.

[Kelley Allen]

I am fasting from the internet! I have put too much trust in the information I can gather from internet searches (we are trying to sell our house) and have not trusted God. My scripture to meditate on is Isaiah 30: 20-22. I pray that God will use this time to show me He is my Shepherd.

[tania fuller]

I am fastign from sweets and geting up early . I like to sleep to much! this goes for the american people to return to god and stop changing god for stuff also this goes for my country MEXICO wich also has lost its ways from GOD becoming a really violent country

[cindy]

I am currently on a Daniel Fast, but after I heard your show last night,I was inspired to continue the fast that I have already been on, but to make a change with it and dedicate the next 30 days to fasting (water only) and (continued) prayer.

Unfortunately, (I am ashamed to admit it, but) I am in debt and have had a problem with emotional spending(and emotional eating as well) for years. So I am fasting from spending anything extra for these 30 days. I am also giving up Diet Coke, which I am probably addicted to and have had trouble "fasting from" before.I have fasted and prayed before now, for God to help me break these strongholds (of emotional eating and spending,) but have not been completely set free from those areas yet. So,I will fast and pray however, that through this fast, I will in fact be "set free"

Therefore, I join with you on this fast for 30 days at least... (since I have already completed 10+ days with the Daniel Fast)most especially for financial freedom, (personally) as well as for the Nation. I will also be lifting each of you up in prayer who are on this particular fast and for those who may be joining later. May God bless, encourage, uplift and uphold each of you with your commitments.

[Rocio Rexrode]

I am fasting from television!!!
Instead of watching TV, for the next 40 days I want to spend all my free time reading the Word and praying for our nation.

[Anita]

I am 2 days behind on the fast because I haven't listened to your program recently. God has been calling me to fast, but I have rebelled. This time I believe I must obey. I am joining in your call to fast. I will be fasting evening meals, sugar, and coffee (oh how I love sugar and coffee). I know this will be difficult, but I know Phil 4:13 is true. I thank God that your ministry has allowed God to use it in a mighty way. God Bless!

[marnie]

God bless all of you at Crown and for the "fasters" for taking this step. I wish I could buy Crown a one hour spot during prime time on all media so that ALL of America could hear what you have said to remedy this mess. Maybe we ALL would repent as a nation and turn back to the one and true God. The need for this type of leadership and God's WORD is so hungered for.

I pray that God grant our prayers while fasting and we find favor for our nation with our efforts. During this time I will hold "fast" to James 5:16 The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

First and foremost I will pray that God is honored and glorified by all who partake in this biblical fast. I will be fasting all day Saturdays, I will read the WORD daily, and I will pray for our nation to be healed of our sickness of "greed and envy" at any and all levels. And knowing that tough times bring people to God I will pray for a revival like no other in the history of America. I will make a special devotion of prayer for my unsaved family members.

May God bless you and keep ALL of you during this special time with him. And Crown, thanks again for bringing us together to be a part of this 40 day event for the Lord! You will be rewarded:)

[E.Hunt]

I began the fast on the 14th. That night I had fresh veg juice only but the rest of the time has been only water. I've explained my decision to my wife. She is not a Christian. Maybe the Lord will work through this. I am praying that the Lord calls our country to revival and that we would return to "One Nation Under God." That the Lord would look to the US with mercy and guide us back to Him, giving us courage to share our faith, the strength to ask him for help, and wisdom in making decision for our daily lives. Praise the Lord!

[AndyW]

Day 4 - I continue to pray for the leadership of the country.

Persevere and stand firm in the truth. Lean not on our own understanding but on the word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Ephesians 1:3And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

Let these times be the catalyst for a great revival and repentance in our country, to the be the praise of His glory.

-- AndyW

[John Flippen]

Hey there Scott, Peter and Carrie,

I had received a letter from a client that I had designed a house for in Clarksville. She had lamented that the economy there had slowed and was getting slower. She couldn’t build her new house that I had designed because she couldn’t sell any of her other houses first. She asked me how were things going in the Richmond area. Had mu business slowed any? So I sent her the following reply. I am forwarding it to you so that you know how dear ole dad is doing in spite of everything. And, in spite of everything,vwe are doing great!!!!!!!!!!!!! And here is why………………(remember to turn on your whack-o meter before reading this)

Hey there Cindy,

My situation here is a little unusual concerning the building. I am still getting new clients and, judging from my work load, it is only a little slower than normal this time of year. I really am in the dark about what is going on except for the little that I hear other people saying about the economy. Here is why…..

About six weeks ago I felt that the Lord was asking me to go on a media fast, internet and TV, so that I could concentrate on listening to HIM. I have to say that I didn’t do it immediately. The news was just too full of riveting financial events. These were the same events that the financial gurus that I pay attention to had predicted years ago. I had tried as best I could to have prepared my family for this present reality. I was just too engrossed to turn off the TV and internet.

Then about two weeks ago, as I prepared for one of the Crown Financial Bible Groups that my wife and I are co-leading, I came across an answer I had written to a question a year and a half ago…. “where would I be in the Lord if I planned less (and read the financial press less) and studied God’s word more?” And instantly I had the inner conviction that the Lord was indeed calling me aside to get someplace in my relationship with HIM that I couldn’t get to as long as my ears and eyes were focused on all that was going on in the news.

So I took the plunge and pulled the plug on the TV, internet and most of my subscriptions. I couldn’t even tell you what the football scores were yesterday or who is going to be in the World Series. I can tell you that my intimacy with Jesus Christ is growing. I sing more in the shower (not necessarily a good thing). Most importantly, I have a growing hope and growing confidence that is rooted in my walk with Jesus.

My joy in the Lord is growing at the same rate as my stack of unread Economist Magazines. I do not know how long I will be on this media fast. My wife hopes until football season is over with.

I am not recommending that anybody else do what I am doing, but I can recommend the benefits of unplugging the world and plugging into God. I am not trying to be Pollyanna.

Yes, our portfolio has taken a hit… but it wasn’t really our portfolio. You see, my wife and I gave all that stuff to God anyway. Mary Beth and I signed a quit claim deed giving all our possessions…. our children, our businesses, our house, vehicles, boat, stocks…. everything that we had thought we were the owners of….. back to God two years ago.

Since signing the quit claim deed, the Lord led us to shut down IEI Construction Company and just to concentrate on the architecture side. Good time not to be in charge of a construction company wouldn’t you say? Just recently, the Lord arranged for the sale of our house. We received a totally unsolicited offer to buy our home earlier this year. The deal went to closing just before I left for a missions trip to Tanzania in July. My wife was packing up our things while I was gone and we had not yet even found a place to rent yet. An amazing set of circumstances transpired and we are now renting a great house. Our furniture looks better in this house that it did in the house we sold! I will admit, I do question why, when we were debt free already, did God sell his house (not our house) … but He did, and so we rent while we wait for direction. Most importantly, HE has our ear, not the media!

We have been blessed to be a blessing. The hope that my wife and I have, anybody can have. It is never a bad time to put HIM in charge as HE will know just what to do.

Freedom and Joy,

John

[Carmen]

I am joining Crown people and listeners and the body of Christ in fasting for the first time ever. I have given up breakfast and my beloved tea for 40 days. I am praying first of all for a revival for this beloved country. Also, I am praying for wisdom for our country's leaders, and financial wisdom for citizens, so we show Biblical financial principles, and it will "trickle up" to our governments. My husband and I are almost debt-free and will be relying on God, who is sooooooo good already, to see us through until I get my new business going. May God see repentance in Jesus' followers!
Carmen

[Jennifer]

I heard about this 40 day fast from my church. I decided that I will fast from lunch and spend this time in prayer. It is going great so far. I am praying for our country to see who the true Provider is and that my personal finances continue to fall in line in a biblical way. I am praying that the Lord will touch my heart and give me continual yearnings to be debt free and content with what we have.

[Rich Rodriguez]

Add me to the legions of Christians joining the fast, although it can't be a traditional one because I have diabetes. What I am fasting from, though, is eating out too much--which may have contributed to my diabetes in the first place! :)

And being diabetic, I support Chuck Bentley's warning that "you should not go on a prolonged fast from food without a medical release from your doctor and some experience with fasting." I have been on 12-hour fasts the past two Saturdays for quarterly blood work and potassium tests, and I began to get dizzy just before the first test because of very low blood sugar. I burn more sugar thanks to exercise and losing 25 pounds, and unfortunately a traditional, biblical fast can endanger my life. And what I have read from other Christian diabetics is that my condition can exempt me from such fasts anyway.

That being said, eating out too much is what I fast from. My church, however, goes out for a fellowship brunch every other Sunday at a local restaurant, and alas, nobody brown-bags it. Oh, woe is me! :)

Thanks to Crown and its Money Map, I've been able to stay financially afloat this year, even though I've been on unemployment insurance for most of it. Much more can be said, but this blog is primarily about the fast, so I'll make a "fast" exit!

God bless...

Rich Rodriguez
West Covina, CA
2 Corinthians 1:5-6, Psalm 116

[Tammie P]

I am fasting from soda pop and candy that I make on random purchases. I had convinced myself that our budget wouldn't notice these small purchases. Also, I have felt guilty that I was spending in a selfish manner. I will pray for our country as well.

[Peter and Nancy]

I was feeling stirred and had thought of fasting.. then upon hearing Chuck Bentley: Why Christians Need to Pray and Fast for America. I said, me too, thats what I've got to do.
When I told my husband, he said, I'm in.
We are fasting evening meals and all sweets.
We started Oct.15th.
Today I printed all of Bill Brights " Personal guide to fasting and prayer" . Peter and I can read the different points as we go. Ooop's gotta run, it's time read the word and pray....it's dinner time.

[Peter and Nancy]

I was feeling stirred and had thought of fasting.. then upon hearing Chuck Bentley: Why Christians Need to Pray and Fast for America. I said, me too, thats what I've got to do.
When I told my husband, he said, I'm in.
We are fasting evening meals and all sweets.
We started Oct.15th.
Today I printed all of Bill Brights " Personal guide to fasting and prayer" . Peter and I can read the different points as we go. Ooop's gotta run, it's time read the word and pray....it's dinner time.

[Karen]

Thanks so much to the Crown Ministry for their biblical teachings related to money and use of finances. I began my fast from sweets and caffeine last Saturday. Although I am interested in doing a full fast, by blood sugar issues do not permit me to do so....however, I must say that fasting from sugar and caffeine has made me more alert and less hungry...and I've benefited greatly from spending more time in the word, and I do feel as though God is sitting right beside me, guiding me and directing me. Anyway, I have challenged some friends in this fast, so we'll see if they hop on board. thanks again...

[AndyW]

Day 8 - Some struggles today. Work was quite challenging.

I want to encourage you to keep going. Keep praying and Keep looking to God for strength and focus.

-- AndyW

[cassie]

Reading these comments gives me a glimpse of how many of us are joining together to fast and pray for this nation, to seek God's face. This encourages me as the struggles are intensifying also. When I wake up during the night, I find that verses from hymns and the Word are in my thoughts; this strengthen me in my weariness...On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...

[David]

Hello to all of you,
We are now a week and one-half into fasting and praying. God has blessed me. Mentally, I can't imagine continuing for another month, but I trust our God with that. It helps to read your comments, turning to God and submitting my life to his will. Jesus is using this time to heal and correct me, bringing me back to himself. I have done so many things wrong, I am humbled by his continuing grace in my life. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever get it right, but He tells me he loves me still, and looks on my heart.
Talk to you later,
David

[Stephanie]

I'm fasting sweets. I plan to begin getting up a little earlier each morning to pray for our nation.

[L. Jackson]

Thank you, Crown, for taking the lead and calling us to respond to this financial crisis in the right way! I am fasting one meal and sweets. I'm praying for our nation -- that God will get the glory out of this challenge and that our eyes will focus on Him. During this time I am reading how others in the Bible (Esther, Daniel, Nehemiah, etc.) responded to national crises and stood in the gap on behalf of their nation.

[Chuck Bentley]

What matters most is not how long you fast but your heart attitude while fasting. The Lord wants each of us to desire Him above all else. When we deny ourselves the things that normally bring us pleasure, comfort and security, we realize that the spiritual blessings of knowing and walking with Christ are superior. I have been so encouraged by all of you who are fasting and praying. Weekends can be the hardest time when food is always present. Sometimes I just have to listen to praise and worship music to get my mind back on Christ.