2024 21 Day Fast Devotional — Day 2: Fasting Positions Us to Experience God

“When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make fun of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.” – Psalm 69:10-13 (NIV)

In these verses, the psalmist expresses his deep distress and suffering when he decided to seek the presence of God through fasting and prayer. His choice and excitement to seek God, by humbling himself through fasting, resulted in people making fun of him. Yet, amidst the ridicule and rejection, he continued his faithful pursuit to experience God.

Fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food, media, or earthly pleasures. It’s about posturing your mind and heart to create space for God. It’s all about disciplining your life so that you can experience Him personally.

For many of us, our worlds constantly collide with distractions and voices pulling at our hearts, vying for our attention. Although we desire and strive to walk closely with God, so much noise is coming against us. Fasting is an attempt to submit our emotional and physical distractions to the Lord. Week after week, we can set aside a meal, or time given to media or other routines, and instead, spend dedicated time with God. 

Prayer and reflection:

What things in your life are keeping you from hearing God? 

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those things you should fast and silence in your life so that you may encounter Him.