Episode 258: I Wanted Direction, He Gave Me Presence

Fasting isn’t a diet or a formula, and it definitely isn’t a way to get God to do what you want. In this personal episode, Cara opens up about her recent experience with prayer and fasting and shares how what began as a search for answers led to something deeper- intimacy with God. If you’re hungry for more of Him, pull up a chair and lean in with us. Grab your Bible, a pencil, and maybe even a cup of coffee as we write this down.Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! Episode recap:Intro (00:00)Start by writing down Isaiah 58:3-9 (0:18)Cara’s church did a 21 day fast together (2:45)Fasting became a consecrated (set apart) time (6:38)Cara was expectant she would hear from the Lord (10:26)Hunger is a frequent spiritual metaphor in Scripture (14:50)Fasting and prayer creates intimacy through proximity (22:15)In this season, God showed Cara He will come through for her (24:00)Fast from the things that you think give you life and let God step into that (29:10)Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected] Write this Down! on YouTubeFind Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook Scripture Verse: Isaiah 58:3-9 (ESV)‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?    Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,    and oppress all your workers.Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight    and to hit with a wicked fist.Fasting like yours this day    will not make your voice to be heard on high.Is such the fast that I choose,    a day for a person to humble himself?Is it to bow down his head like a reed,    and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?Will you call this a fast,    and a day acceptable to the Lord?“Is not this the fast that I choose:    to loose the bonds of wickedness,    to undo the straps of the yoke,to let the oppressed go free,    and to break every yoke?Is it not to share your bread with the hungry    and bring the homeless poor into your house;when you see the naked, to cover him,    and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,    and your healing shall spring up speedily;your righteousness shall go before you;    the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;    you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’If you take away the yoke from your midst,    the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,”