the accidental missionary

Jan 7, '08 9:43 PM
for everyone

Hate – that word’s probably too strong. I’m not supposed to hate something that's biblical and spiritual. Let me put it another way - I love to eat.

Glad I got that confession off my chest.

Monday was day-1 of our '08 week of prayer & fasting here in the Every Nation office in Nashville. 1000's of Victory-Manila people are also fasting this week.

In Nashville, we are gathering together three times each day to pray for the following:

   8AM-9AM    Personal needs and concerns
   12NN-1PM   Every Nation churches and new church plants
   4PM-5PM    Every Nation Ministries (CFC, Force, ENCM, ENY, Missions, etc)

Some people are only drinking water, some are drinking fruit juice and some are drinking Maggie Moo chocolate milkshakes this week. Still others have chosen a sunrise to sunset fast. What really matters is that we seek God.

Whether you choose to fast or not, I hope you will participate in some prayer meetings this week. Great way to start the new year.

Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.
                                                                                              Isaiah 58:6

For more on fasting, read my "Freedom from the Stomach God" article, originally written for Evangelicals Today a few yrs ago.

My friend, Wolfi, has written some good blogs about fasting.

* Just returned from Toronto. Will blog about it later this week.

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37 CommentsChronological Reverse Threaded

countessemelia wrote on Jan 7, '08, edited on Jan 7, '08

Pastor Steve, here in Cebu, we start fasting tomorrow! I'm ctually excited! :D I love food but I'm excited to fast hehehe :D

josephbonifacio wrote on Jan 7, '08

thanks for the honesty... it really helps! i find it so difficult to fast, but i've never regretted doing it

rads2riches wrote on Jan 7, '08

i have a bigger problem... i like to eat and i only drink water when i need to, i don't like drinking water, even when i'm fasting. but i enjoy fasting.

smurrell wrote on Jan 7, '08

rads2riches said

i don't like drinking water, even when i'm fasting.

for a healthy fast, better drink lots of water - multi-pure is the best!

really, it tastes the best. i miss my multi-pure when i am in the states.

smurrell wrote on Jan 7, '08

josephbonifacio said

but i've never regretted doing

no breakfast
no lunch
no merienda
no dinner
NO REGRETS!

ginadeocampo wrote on Jan 7, '08

I AM EXCITED TO FAST AND PRAY. Just this morning, while preparing i know God's spirit within is allowing me to be more sensitive to Him.Let's get on with it!!! :D

sheridanz wrote on Jan 7, '08

I am EXCITED to fast and pray!!! have a fruitful day pastor Steve... :)

gj1609 wrote on Jan 7, '08

i'm doing it here in Green Bay! Sacrificing what i love to do will be worth it because it's for God!! Let's get it on!!!

roymoralde wrote on Jan 7, '08

yes,i love to eat too!.but, fasting is very important to me,thats why im very excited to do it!.

antonski81 wrote on Jan 7, '08

i think i'll also choose not to open my multiply account as a part of fast. hehehe :)

hopemagallanes wrote on Jan 7, '08

tip for those who will do a normal fast tomorrow, meaning you will abstain from eating solid food and will opt to drink water only...if you are a coffee drinker, try to lessen your intake now or better yet do not drink coffee today to avoid headaches.

odiept888 wrote on Jan 7, '08

for those overweight, loose weight through spiritual meditation.... all options for fasting, solid, liquid, gas. :)

rads2riches wrote on Jan 7, '08

smurrell said

for a healthy fast, better drink lots of water - multi-pure is the best!

really, it tastes the best. i miss my multi-pure when i am in the states.

Noted pastor Steve. Best tasting water is better than just water and i really need to drink more water anyway. I think i'll put that in my faith goals now, to be able to like to drink water.hahaha I know it's heathy.Thanks!

tare316 wrote on Jan 7, '08

smurrell said

for a healthy fast, better drink lots of water - multi-pure is the best!

really, it tastes the best. i miss my multi-pure when i am in the states.

how about some vita-water? haha!

kcamcam wrote on Jan 7, '08

we miss having you here. fasting is fun in manila!

charisgalaraga wrote on Jan 7, '08

i'm not excited to fast, but i'm excited to pray!

teng1981 wrote on Jan 7, '08

Hey Pastor Steve! We'll be starting our fasting tomorrow! I'm so excited 'coz I have a lot of faith goals this year! By the way, do you have "merienda" in the States? And there's actually a good-tasting water?! Haha! I never knew that!

lamumar wrote on Jan 8, '08

to eat or not to eat that is the question ?

arlyncsoresca wrote on Jan 8, '08

hi pastor steve, only way to be good at fasting is to feast on praying! yum yum!

fartingpoet wrote on Jan 8, '08

Got lots of work and yet not eat? I'm a newspaper reporter and it keeps me wondering how I can have a better prayerfast at the field. But I'm sure, my faith tells me that I will fast!

emphas1s wrote on Jan 8, '08

it should be called SLOW...

jonasjanice wrote on Jan 8, '08

how about water in a cup noodle, still water, he he he yummy. we started monday too powerfull!!

meljr wrote on Jan 8, '08

It's really hard but the moment you see yourself becoming more aligned with God, truly as Joe said it, no regrets!

zellylizabeth wrote on Jan 8, '08

hahahahhaa. I feel the same way too. I LOVE FOOD!
...but I'm excited to fast this year :)) wooohooo!! :D:D

marlonvilma wrote on Jan 8, '08

Food is so irrestible and enjoyable! But when we fast we experience that in "God's presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand are pleasures forevermore." Fasting is feasting on soul-food (God's word). Here at MSNY, we began fasting last friday's prayer meeting to culminate this friday. Enjoy seeking God!

smurrell wrote on Jan 8, '08

teng1981 said

do you have "merienda" in the States?

not this week

smurrell wrote on Jan 8, '08

lamumar said

to eat or not to eat that is the question ?

no.
that is the answer.

smurrell wrote on Jan 8, '08

zellylizabeth said

hahahahhaa. I feel the same way too. I LOVE FOOD!
...but I'm excited to fast this year :)) wooohooo!! :D:D

i love your fasting face in your headshot

trishatendido wrote on Jan 8, '08

Hi Pastor Steve,

CFIC in San Jose is joining you in prayer and fasting as well starting today until the 14th! We believe and expect BREAKTHROUGH in our church and we're excited to see God's movement in San Jose and the entire Bay Area! BTW...Ptr. Ed and the core group will be meeting David Houston and Greg Sena on the 2nd week of Feb. we're all excited!!! Thank you for helping our church and Ptr. Ed...the BEST is yet to come=)!

itimnausok wrote on Jan 8, '08

pastor steve! this will be my first fasting experience.. i'm really excited to do this.. last night i thought i was not ready yet.. but through prayer.. part of me is telling me i need to.. and i'm hoping this will be great!

may i drink freshly shaked fruits? solid was converted to liquid anyways.. hehehe!

mariebonifacio wrote on Jan 9, '08

smurrell said

Still others have chosen a sunrise to sunset fast.

uh, does a sunset to sunrise fast count? (haha)

I wish you had a way in Nashville to dtrink lots of buko water.
Very good especially after your stony encounter.

smurrell wrote on Jan 9, '08

mariebonifacio said

wish you had a way in Nashville to dtrink lots of buko water.

me too. unfortunately, no buko in Nash.

pageman wrote on Jan 9, '08

mariebonifacio said

uh, does a sunset to sunrise fast count? (haha)

normally, its called Ramadan ... :P

smiggles wrote on Jan 13, '08

hi steve were from sydney pastor joshua's congregation and were also fasting and seeking more of gods presents in our lives and just his leading into this new year god bless His Every Nation believers

eauj wrote on Jan 6, '09, edited on Jan 6, '09

me too. it doesn't mean that when u hate something u don't do it anymore. just like sin. some people hate it.

ginadeocampo wrote on Jan 6, '09

ginadeocampo said

I AM EXCITED TO FAST AND PRAY. Just this morning, while preparing i know God's spirit within is allowing me to be more sensitive to Him.Let's get on with it!!! :D

i came across this comment a year ago. wondered who wrote this, until i found out it was me! i had the same feeling, that's why. same excitement for this year, even more!! it's a great realization that you get to be more excited to fast as each year comes because that means you are also getting to know and love God more! yehey! :))

lleradpadolina1731 wrote on Jan 8, '09

i love to cook(best hobby in the world).. i love to eat,, but ,tommorow will be the start of fasting here in VCF-Ubelt.. im excited about it.. im looking forward for a great and wonderful year..

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