Fasting of the body is food for the soul.
- John Chrysostom
There are many reasons modern Christians fast so little today. Hundreds of millions refuse to see the need. Countless others lack the spiritual resolve to routinely deny themselves the pleasure of eating for even a single day. For those of us who have fasted, yet fail to do so regularly, there may be deeper issues.
Sadly, perhaps as is often the case with prayer in general, there may seem to have been little or no response from Heaven. Maybe we need to up the ante to Triple Fasting! Whatever the reason, given the unprecedented local and global needs piling up around us, isn't high time we gave this proven and time honored spiritual discipline another look?
Skipping a meal for Jesus now and then is one thing. But if the pricier aspects of prayer come hard for most, the thought of serious fasting’s all but DOA. Not because it’s that difficult. For those not involved in strenuous activities, giving up a day’s worth of food is relatively easy. Fasting from sundown to sundown might simply mean missing breakfast and lunch, if you eat dinner on the first day a little early. Exchanging solids for liquids is another option. Or maybe both. Toss in saving a little time and money, as well as weight and health benefits, and its a win-win all around.
Of course Biblical fasting involves more than dieting. It insures time to reflect on the quality of our spiritual lives. It reminds us eternity’s on the line for those we know and love. It elevates prayer above entertainment. It replaces the hunger for food for that of God. Then again, might it be for these very reasons modern Christianity fasts so little? Spiritually weighing in, with limited or no distractions, can be disconcerting on a variety of levels. Pondering prayer can reveal how many go unanswered. Longing for God can be lonely business.
It’s far easier to set our sights a little lower. Heavenly pie in the sky’s all well and good, but in the here and now there’s mouths to feed and bills to pay. Like the Seven Dwarfs we march to the drum of “I owe, I owe, so oft to work I go.” Often to jobs we dislike or even hate, filled with aggravating duties and people. Groaning for better, millions, if not billions, feel stuck in a frustrating rut. Frequently with little or no hope in sight.
Add to such disappointments failing relationships and/or health, finances and/or dreams, and it’s hard enough to just get to through the day. Even Prophetic Christians, who habitually rise early as resistance fighters, may find themselves becoming weary sympathizers by noon, only to collapse in disappointment before the TV as collaborators at night. A sad if not pitiful downward cycle. One I’ve regretfully repeated thousands of times.
And there’s so many more pleasant things to do. What’s with God anyway? Why ban so many pleasures? Why elevate sacrifice? Seems like it’s always about cost.
So it is. The cost of rebellion among angels. The cost of sin among men. The cost to Jesus to be Savior. The cost to Christians to be like Christ.
Why such cost? Whether you know and/or like it or not, creation is at war. Faced with modern subtleties and distractions, it can’t be overstated that according to Scripture, Lucifer’s insurrection marred the history of Heaven before covering the Earth. So much so, the Bible declares that a if not the primary objective of Christ was militant:
“So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth. It’s the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil’s ways.” 1 John 3:7-8 The Message - Emphasis QC’s
“Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test…” Matthew 4:1-2 The Message
“Then Satan tempted him to get food by changing stones into loaves of bread. “It will prove you are the Son of God,” he said. But Jesus told him, “No! For the Scriptures tell us that bread won’t feed men’s souls: obedience to every word of God is what we need.” Then Satan took him to Jerusalem to the roof of the Temple. “Jump off,” he said, “and prove you are the Son of God; for the Scriptures declare, ‘God will send his angels to keep you from harm,’ . . . they will prevent you from smashing on the rocks below.” Jesus retorted, “It also says not to put the Lord your God to a foolish test!” Next Satan took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. “I’ll give it all to you,” he said, “if you will only kneel and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “The Scriptures say, ‘Worship only the Lord God. " Matthew 4:3-10 Living Bible
All the more so when it comes to today’s ubiquitous levels of temptation and deception, entitlement and sin. Some have even suggested “the Devil’s in too deep” to be uprooted any other way. Certainly our current worst of times scenario reinforces a responsibility to do all we can on behalf of our souls and those of others. Furthermore, for genuine Christians, none of the aspects of Scripture’s “Triple Fast” of holiness, serious prayer and caring for others are optional.
There are numerous reasons modern Christians fast little, if at all. Hundreds of millions refuse to see the need. Countless others lack the spiritual resolve to routinely deny themselves the pleasure of eating for even a single day. For those of us who have fasted, yet fail to do so regularly, there may be deeper issues. As is often the case with prayer in general, there may have been little or no response from Heaven. Whatever the reason, the unprecedented local and global needs are piling up around us. It’s high time we gave this proven and powerful spiritual discipline another look.
There are countless books, articles and sermons written on the subject of fasting. A Google search offers 10,100,000 results for fasting in 0.23 seconds. Yet, as with many of life's spiritual pursuits, when all is said and done there's a lot more said than done. Even with so much information instantly available, we tend to steer clear of the topic. Ignorance seems bliss, as does a Big Mac or Seven Layer Beefy Burrito, Rotisserie Roasted Lemon chicken or Sushi Rainbow Roll with mounds of toppings. Toss in a couple of scrumptious sides and a delicious dessert and we're talking about heavenly delight. So why would God, or anyone else, want to deny our pleasure? Sure most of us could stand to save a few bucks and loose a few pounds. And clearly some extra quiet time for prayer couldn't hurt. But is it really necessary to throw going without food for a day or week, a month or more, into the mix?
Most dedicated Christians can recite several answers to that question. Still, the fact remains these rarely translate into action. So much so, that fasting is fast becoming a lost art. For a generation less and less inclined to commit to the discipline of serious, regular and lengthy prayer, the even greater demands of fasting seem beyond the pale.
Such excuses are all to common in today’s Protestant circles. The Catholic calendar is filled with feasts and fasts. Even so, most modern Catholics view both as remnants of ancient times. The net result is overwhelming silence on the subject by the part of clergy, who have come to expect an underwhelming response from laity. That’s if pastors themselves have gone to the trouble to develop the habit of serious fasting. Even the Charismatic and Evangelical movements, the former famous for their hunger for the presence of God and the latter for the salvation of souls, seem to have forgotten the vital role fasting has long played in the achieving of both.
There are as many reasons to fast as there are to pray. In fact, augmenting and empowering prayer is chief among them. Here are just some of the benefits one might hope for:
1. Heightened awareness of God: Anyone familiar with fasting, particularly for extended periods, knows it should more aptly be called “s-l-o-w-i-n-g.” Many immediately feel a subtle calm replacing some of the clamor of modern life. This is a good first step towards obeying the Scripture, "Be still, and know that I am God!”
2. Resistance to temptation: With tens of thousands of HD TV shows and movies, music videos and mp3’s vying for our attention, society's literally drowning in temptation. Fasting beckons us to make time to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit reminding of God's promised provision, as well as warning against sin.
3. Greater victory over sin: The Apostle Peter counsels: "when your body suffers, sin loses its power." While the majority of fasts, particularly those lasting less than a couple of weeks, hardly compare with the persecution of the early church to which Peter may be referring, the principle still applies. This is even more true when setting aside favored, yet questionable attitudes and habits during a fast.
4. Obedience to Christ: Both by example and directive, Jesus made it clear He intended his disciples to fast.
5. Tuning out worldliness: The wisdom of the world is at odds with God. Again, modern Christians are more worldly than ever. Fasting deepens the level of our awareness to the pleading of Scripture, “And do not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
6. Tuning in the Holy Spirit: Serious prayer and Bible Study is largely passé today. Fasting can turn minutes into hours as we seek God to know and realize His will in our lives. Particularly when setting aside distractions and amusements.
7. Discipline and self control: The Bible's full of examples of the importance of the self mastery. Scripture warns rather than being enslaved to that which controls us, we should seek the Spirit's empowerment through sound, wise and disciplined minds.
8. Health and wellbeing: Fasting would be a healthy alternative to the junk food we so enjoy. For those needing to shed a few pounds, a wisely done regimen of fasting can help tip the scale in our favor.
9. Spiritual warfare: Perhaps the greatest passage on spiritual warfare can be found in James’ directive, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Fasting’s a good place to start.
10. Increased spiritual power: When the disciples lacked the ability to cast out a powerful demon, Christ explained, "But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.” In Matthew’s rendition, Jesus also explained a lack of faith was the problem. Taken together, it would seem prayer and fasting increases faith, which in turn increases the power of God's Kingdom in our midst.
11. Answers to prayer: James warns we have not because we ask not. When we ask we don't receive because we ask amiss. Fasting increases the odds of our asking, and can help turn our wills from our own agendas towards God’s.
12. Evangelism and discipleship: Every great revival was marked by fasting. Throughout the pages of Scripture and annals of time, every powerful and expansive move of God was proceeded and accompanied by prayer and fasting. For examples see Revival Hymn, The Revival We Need, and a story of China's house churches entitled, "The Heavenly Man."
There are many examples of men and women, who by dedication to the art of intercession, unlocked the power of prayer and fasting. Learning to wait on and even wrestle with God, these relentlessly pursued prayer. Refusing to take no for an answer, the Gospel reveals how women like Mary and the Canaanite mother, prevailed with the Lord. Men like George Whitefield and Charles Wesley used these tools to spread the fire of revival across continents. George Müller and Praying Hyde spent much of their lives on bent knee, repeatedly demonstrating God's faithfulness to answer those who would pray and fast. Hudson Taylor brought over 800 missionaries to China, founded 125 schools and 300 outreach centers throughout all eighteen provinces by "purposing to move men through God by prayer alone."
Scripture has much to say on the subject. Referenced throughout Old and New Testaments, the discipline has long been employed by the people of God to draw near in times of brokenness and repentance, suffering and need.
"Some time later the Moabites and Ammonites, accompanied by Meunites, joined forces to make war on Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat received this intelligence report: "A huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight you. There's no time to waste—they're already at Hazazon Tamar, the oasis of En Gedi. Shaken, Jehoshaphat prayed. He went to God for help and ordered a nationwide fast. The country of Judah united in seeking God's help—they came from all the cities of Judah to pray to God." 2 Chronicles 20:1-4 The Message
Ezra wept, prostrate in front of The Temple of God. As he prayed and confessed, a huge number of the men, women, and children of Israel gathered around him. All the people were now weeping as if their hearts would break. Shecaniah son of Jehiel of the family of Elam, acting as spokesman, said to Ezra: "We betrayed our God by marrying foreign wives from the people around here. But all is not lost; there is still hope for Israel. Let's make a covenant right now with our God, agreeing to get rid of all these wives and their children, just as my master and those who honor God's commandment are saying. It's what The Revelation says, so let's do it... So Ezra stood up and had the leaders of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel solemnly swear to do what Shecaniah proposed. And they did it. Then Ezra left the plaza in front of The Temple of God and went to the home of Jehohanan son of Eliashib where he stayed, still fasting from food and drink, continuing his mourning over the betrayal by the exiles." Ezra 10:1-4 The Message
"Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!" Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, this most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he'll do it now, maybe he'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust for your God! Blow the ram's horn trumpet in Zion! Declare a day of repentance, a holy fast day. Call a public meeting. Get everyone there. Consecrate the congregation. Make sure the elders come, but bring in the children, too, even the nursing babies, Even men and women on their honeymoon— interrupt them and get them there. Between Sanctuary entrance and altar, let the priests, God's servants, weep tears of repentance. Let them intercede: "Have mercy, God, on your people!" Joel 2:12-16 The Message
"Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother, 'This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel, a figure misunderstood and contradicted—the pain of a sword-thrust through you—but the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are. Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem." Luke 2:33-38 The Message
"Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: "Since you are God's Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread. Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth." Matthew 3:1-5 The Message
"They asked him, 'John's disciples are well-known for keeping fasts and saying prayers. Also the Pharisees. But you seem to spend most of your time at parties. Why?' Jesus said, "When you're celebrating a wedding, you don't skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but this isn't the time. As long as the bride and groom are with you, you have a good time. When the groom is gone, the fasting can begin." Luke 5:33-35 The Message
"The congregation in Antioch was blessed with a number of prophet-preachers and teachers: Barnabas, Simon, nicknamed Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, an advisor to the ruler Herod, Saul. One day as they were worshiping God—they were also fasting as they waited for guidance—the Holy Spirit spoke: "Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them for the work I have called them to do." Acts 13:1-2 The Message
"As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, 'At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.' Indeed, the 'right time' is now. Today is the day of salvation. So we live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense." 2 Corinthians 6:1-7 New Living Translation
God's Chosen Fast
In life, understanding why we do what we do is as important as learning how. When it comes to the kind of fast God desires, a single passage in Isaiah sheds insight on both. The prophet begins with formal religiosity, and ends with establishing a relationship with God through helping others:
"Shout! A full-throated shout! Hold nothing back—a trumpet-blast shout! Tell my people what's wrong with their lives, face my family Jacob with their sins! They're busy, busy, busy at worship, and love studying all about me. To all appearances they're a nation of right-living people— law-abiding, God-honoring. They ask me, 'What's the right thing to do?' and love having me on their side. But they also complain, 'Why do we fast and you don't look our way? Why do we humble ourselves and you don't even notice?' "Well, here's why: "The bottom line on your 'fast days' is profit. You drive your employees much too hard. You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight. You fast, but you swing a mean fist. The kind of fasting you do won't get your prayers off the ground. Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like?" Isaiah 58:1-5 The Message
"This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'" Isaiah 58 6-9 The Message
"If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people's sins, if you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You'll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again. "If you watch your step on the Sabbath and don't use my holy day for personal advantage, if you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy, God's holy day as a celebration, If you honor it by refusing 'business as usual,' making money, running here and there—Then you'll be free to enjoy God! Oh, I'll make you ride high and soar above it all. I'll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob." Yes! God says so!" Isaiah 58:9-14 The Message
Triple Fast
In perfect keeping with the tenor of many Old and New Testament passages dealing with living faith, Isaiah reinforces the Bible's message that loving and serving God is synonymous with loving and serving one another. It's easy to see there would be many benefits should the Church radically adopt this kind of lifestyle fast. The poor and needy would find the help they so desperately need. They and others would praise and glorify God for His provision, rather than doubt and regale Him for turning a blind eye to their plight. Churches would be full of thankful believers and genuine Christians would experience the truth of Christ's promise, "It's more blessed to give than receive.” Additionally, according to this and other such verses, God would quickly answer prayer and the righteous could look forward to eternal heavenly rewards!
A Triple Fast consist of three parts:
1. Fasting from Self: The first step is setting aside pleasures for the sake of seeing the Kingdom advanced. In ourselves and others. This would include some or all of the following:
Foregoing some or all food for a short or prolonged period of time.
Foregoing some or all liquids for a short or prolonged period of time.
Setting aside some or all entertainments for a short or prolonged period of time.
Setting aside some or all pleasures for a short or prolonged period of time.
2. Serious and Lengthy Prayer: Fasting without prayer is simply dieting. What is needed is the kinds of prayer that would be most effective as a compliment to fasting:
Regular and lengthy sessions: There are many forms of prayer and each should be employed as we seek to draw near to God.
Personal devotions: Bible study and meditation, being still and waiting on God, are essential for growing into spiritual maturity and learning to know God's will. Much less finding it realized in our lives.
Private intercessions: Learning the art of intercession is a must for anyone hoping to prevail in prayer.
Corporate prayer meetings: All those dedicated to prayer realize the woeful lack of it within modern Christianity. Hoping in the promises of Jesus, including that "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,” they encourage and attend as many serious public prayer meetings as possible.
Empowerment: Praying for the presence and power of God. Beyond mere petition, from Biblical times to the present, there were those who insisted their prayers be realized.
3. Concern and Care for the Needy: As many Biblical authors attest, this aspect of fasting really gets God's attention. Isaiah suggests the following:
"To break the chains of injustice." Many of the same injustices that were rampant in Biblical times are widespread in Third World Nations. Most of us living modern lives face more subtle issues. Gross levels of temptation and social injustice take many forms, including neglect and abuse, violence and divorce, sexual exploitation and abortion. There are countless ways to get involved and become an advocate for millions of needy nearby and/or billions around the globe. These include masses experiencing daily hardships from poverty and/or disease, to violence and/or war. While hardly enough to satisfy God's conditions for lifestyle fasting, doing our part to elect genuine godly leaders would be helpful. If and when you can find them. As James reminds, "Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.”
"To get rid of exploitation." There are different forms and various degrees of exploitation. Those led of the Spirit will grow increasingly sensitive in this area. It was reported that in the 1904-1905 Welsh revival, hardened coal miners turned so completely and compassionately to Christ that their donkeys refused to work. Poor things were unaccustomed to being treated kindly. Clearly we should love those in our homes and workplaces at least as much. QC highly recommends reviewing the broader application of relationship principles suggested in such excellent resources as Connect Families. Particularly helpful in dealing with children, or anyone for that matter, is their the insightful work, “Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart.” Available in audio, ebook or print.
"Free the oppressed." Some oppression is obvious and should be immediately halted. Even subtle forms should be rooted out. Seeking a return of the fruit and gifts of the Spirit, such as healing the sick, would be a way of continuing the ministry of Jesus who healed all who came to Him and promised His followers would do even greater things in His name. Note: The necessity of addressing the issue of abortion will be covered in the subsequent three chapters. Given abortion’s dubious distinction of currently being the pinnacle sin of mankind, QC highly recommends all would be fasters examine themselves carefully to confirm that they, and those with whom they fellowship, are authentically pro-life.
"Cancel debts." The original sin of entitlement has become the bedrock of modern society. Judging by our lifestyles, even within the church, few truly believe it's more blessed to give than receive. What believers around the globe spend on cosmetics and entertainment alone could likely end world hunger. Then there are spiritual and emotional debts to consider. A radio preacher once rightly confessed that should Christians actually love each another, to the point of forgiving, asking forgiveness and making restitution to those we've wronged, the churches couldn't hold the crowds.
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:10-12
In regards to prayer and fasting, service and giving, Jesus introduced the principle of spiritual privacy. Rather than wearing supposed accomplishments on one’s sleeve He suggested discretion, if not downright secrecy: “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” While a good rule of thumb, there may be the occasional exception. For example, it can be challenging to teach without giving personal examples. So while discussing one’s extended fast may or may not be kosher, for our purpose here it seems worth the risk.
In January of 2003, while leading an early morning prayer meeting, a personal friend named Paul Haroutunian played a promo DVD for Lou Engle’s TheCall L.A.. A large stadium rally scheduled for February that same year. In unsurprising quantum fashion, I found the short yet persuasive video both attractive and repellent. On the one hand, Lou was enjoying great success motivating young people to recognize and respond to his unique and impressive call for repentance. As his site theCall.com attests:
Since our first solemn assembly, in 2000 at the National Mall in Washington DC where 400,000 young people gathered, we have hosted gatherings in America and abroad, calling together tens of thousands at a time for twelve hours of fasting and prayer to arenas, fields and stadiums. From these gatherings nearly a million young people have been initiated into a lifestyle of prayer and branded with consecration to the Lord.
On the other hand, not a word about abortion. An omission all too glaringly common. The following is a paraphrased transcript of my instant and silent prayer to the Lord and His response, as best as I could discern it:
Me: How in the world can people call a Sacred Assembly, and fast 40 days for the expressed purpose of national repentance, and yet completely miss the obvious spiritual implications of 35 million American aborted babies on our watch?
Lord: No response.
Me: Silent groaning.
Lord: All the greats in Scripture were fasters. Many for 40 days.
Me: How about 1 meal 120 times? …Ok, 1 day 40 times?
Lord: Are you ready to admit that a pre-teen cares more about national repentance than an ordained minister and director of a pro-life agency given eyes to see the pinnacle sin of mankind?”
Me: No response.
Lord: One thing you lack…
Me: Grrr… 40 days? Really? Ok. I could probably do a liquid fast… If I do, it’s for guys like Lou Engels who have the podiums. How about opening their eyes?
I kept the fast and lost 20 lbs. Not too shabby. I learned that for those not involved in strenuous activity, and on a liquid fast (no chewing), pleasure rather than hunger is the key issue. That and time. A couple weeks is fine but 40 days? A few weeks in, 30 days seems the far more sensible choice. That’s a whole month! Who wouldn’t be satisfied with a month? Why arbitrarily tack on another 10 days? Grrr.
During that time our secretary attended TheCall LA. A large crowd and more prayer than usual for this kind of event, but as expected pretty much nothing directly pro-life. Two months later, TheCall San Francisco was more of the same, with a single exception. Lou Engles announced plans to walk the Trail of Tears, repenting over American Indian blood spilled in the early to mid 1800’s. Close but no cigar.
Then all heaven broke loose! I believe it was latter that same year TheCall was gloriously transformed into TheCause, with abortion the main focus! Along with numerous events, in 2004 Lou Engles founded Bound4Life with it’s signature "LIFE" written on red tape across the mouth of silent activist, before the U.S. Supreme Court and elsewhere.
Never before or since has a prayer of mine been so perfectly answered.
This is not to suggest in any way that the grace bestowed on Lou Engles is of my doing. Nor that our messages, pro-life or otherwise, are the same. Rather, given the interesting timing, the example is offered to serve as encouragement for both those interested in fasting and the pro-life movement, to be discussed in detail in the next three chapters.
More information
In the Red Dropdown Icon you'll find resources that we hope will both stimulate and facilitate your pursuit of and understanding of the God of the Bible. To get started simply place your cursor on a category of interest and see where it leads. You can also join the discussion in a variety of ways including posting comments to God Blogs as well as making comments or asking questions by email of phone.
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved