"Awakening" this January

I just wanted to pass along this excellent advice from Pastor Chris Hodges to those of you prepairing spiritually and physically for fasting during our January fast.

The “21 Days of Prayer and Fasting” is a little over two weeks away – January 11-31 – but one of the best ways to have a successful time of prayer and fasting is to start preparing now.

Prepare by:

* Doing a little research on the different types of prayer and fasting. There are some great resources available under the fasting resources tab.

* Praying and asking God what type of fast you will do.

* Making room in your schedule to slow down so you can give as much attention as possible to the Lord in prayer.

* Preparing spiritually. It’s not about starving yourself. It’s about allowing your spirit man to feast. Prepare your heart and plan on focused prayer times, participating in some type of corporate prayer services, and daily Bible reading.

* Preparing physically. If you are going to do any type of total fasting, you’ll need to wean yourself off of caffeine, sugar, and as much salt as possible. Be sure to consult with a physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.

How you prepare will largely determine your success.

Chris Hodges
Lead Pastor – Church of the Highlands
Birmingham, AL