Fasting

Anyone who has read a significant amount of the Bible knows that it talks often about people fasting and praying. It has long been recognized as one of the most powerful spiritual disciplines. Today, complete fasts aren't as common but every year people give up something for 40 days for lent without realizing that they are indeed fasting. Parker and I have done two 40-day fasts before and have recently decided to start another one. When we fasted before, it was a fast from something that we knew God didn't want us doing anyways and that was the sole purpose of the fast. However, this time, we are praying for something very specific.

It all began when Buckhead Church, one of the campuses of our home church, challenged their staff, volunteers and members to do a 21-day fast as a way to burden themselves for the unchurched people in their community. We thought, "What a great idea, to give up something in order to focus on praising God and lifting others up in prayer." Our purpose for fasting is for the one thing we want more than just about anything else...a baby. Not just that, we want and we need guidance as we finally seek counsel from an infertility specialist.

When we began discussing this, we weren't sure what exactly we would fast from but we know exactly how long it would be. Forty days. Forty is a very significant number in the Bible and God uses that number to test, change, challenge and grow His followers. During the great flood, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. The Israelites roamed the desert for 40 years in search of the Promised Land. When Moses received the 10 Commandments, he stayed on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights. The Lord sent Jesus to the wilderness to fast and be tempted by the devil for 40 days. The list goes on and on and on. We decided that we would each think of a list of things that would be significant to give up for 40 days in order to turn our attention to prayer. Once we both had our lists, we would compare them and look for overlap.

Last night, Parker asked me what I had come up with. I said, "The main things that have come to mind for me are alcohol, red meat, bread, or pasta." All 4 of those are things we enjoy that would be meaningful to give up. Parker said, "That is exactly what I had on my list, in that same order." So alcohol it is.

Parker and I definitely enjoy a bottle of wine a few nights of week. We also agree that there are few things that accompany a football game and a lazy Sunday afternoon better than a few ice cold beers. And we can't forget our weekly family happy hour, Beam with Becky. Though we haven't had a happy hour in quite a while, bourbon is still the official drink of the McFarlands. We drink enough and enjoy it enough that it will be a meaningful sacrifice but not so much that it can't be done. Today is day 1, let the journey begin.

Heavenly Father, we commit these next 40 days to You in unceasing prayer. We know the devil will show up, ready to knock us off track but we know that we have strength much greater than his through Your Holy Spirit. We do this small yet meaningful sacrifice in prayer and petition for the desire of our hearts. Lord, thank you that you love us and gave your only Son for us, even while we were still sinners. And even though we know that we are so undeserving of your grace, mercy and abundant blessings, we ask for more because your Word promises that you hear prayer. Please give us guidance as we seek counsel from an infertility specialist and please bless us with a baby. In Christ Jesus name we pray, amen.