Jentezen Franklin: Fasting (Paperback); 2009 Edition Paperback – 1672

I don't even know where to start. From the moment I opened this book and began reading I knew it was going to change my life. And it has. Before I was even halfway through the book I was so encouraged and inspired i began a fast immediately. I had thought I would just fast for a day to see how it went and then possibly try a longer fast after I knew what to expect. Turns out, one day was not near enough. I discussed it with my husband because I knew I would need his support and encouragement through this process. When he asked me why, I just responded, "What can I possibly give God that he doesn't already have? This is it. I can give him all of me and my total unrelenting commitment and dependence." I just finished a seven day fast! I received a lot of encouragement and motivation from this book. Through this book I felt inspired to fast, not just for me, but for what it could possibly do for my children, my family, my community and even my world. I do want to share with my fellow Christian brothers and sisters seeking to develop a deeper relationship with God through fasting a few points and things that I learned through my seven day fast. The headache at the end of the first day was so extreme I couldn't do anything, including spending time with God. It only lasted that first day though. For me personally, I wasn't extremely starving, but I was super week. Something else that wasn't mentioned in the book that I think is relevant is that fasting seems to affect your circulation, so if you plan on beginning your fast in the winter months just know that you are going to be cold. All. The. Time. I also think that fasting slows down your heart rate a little bit. Maybe it's because you have such a lack of energy that you're not moving as much, I'm not sure this was just true for me. And sleeping, forget about it. I think I averaged about 2 to 3 hours of sleep per night for the seven days that I fasted. Also, this is the time when Satan is going to attack you. He is going to convince you that fasting is killing you. He is going to put so many terrible thoughts in your mind that you're going to want to run for with the refrigerator screaming. Stand firm though, my brothers and sisters, it will be worth the sacrifice. The lack of sleep might sound terrible, but when I followed the prompting of the Spirit and actually used those wee morning hours to spend with God, it was absolutely glorious. One thing that I learned during my fast was that 24 hours is a very long time. When your time is not filled with cooking or eating or congregating around the kitchen and you are constantly hungry you have a lot of spare time. What do you do with this time? I would encourage you to pray and to look into the word and to meditate. Fasting developed a need in me that I had never had before and it was a need that could only be filled by the Lord. I was absolutely starving for him. Ha ha ha! I have never in my life been so dependent upon Him and it was absolutely amazing. My seventh day, the last day, of my fast I decided to devote entirely to the Lord. I don't work outside of the home so this was pretty easy for me to do, but I strongly encourage you to make sure that the last day of your fast is a day that you can devote entirely to the Lord. You will not regret it. The kids were at school, the husband was at work and the house was quiet. I spent the whole day praying, singing, dancing, worshiping and meditating. It was tough, and at times I was tempted to just turn on the TV, but again I followed the promptings of the Spirit and it was the most amazing day ever. At the end of the seventh day very late in the evening, I had a conversation with God. I expressed my concern that after I ended my fast, I wouldn't feel as connected to and dependent upon him. I wept, poring out my heart to Him and I prayed that he had found my sacrifice pleasing and honorable. I want all my brothers and sisters who are reading this to know you are not going to want to end your fast. You're going to be hungry, and you're going to be weak but you will never feel as close to the Lord as you do when you fast and you are not going to want that feeling and dependence to end, but of course, it must. So the day after my seven day fast I had asked my husband to get me my favorite breakfast, breakfast burritos and hashbrowns from McDonald's. Ha ha ha! We had enough to share with the kids and had the time to sit down at the kitchen table and break my fast together before they left for school. It was an awesome and very meaningful experience. But, let me warn you, your first meal is not going to be near as wonderful as you think it's going to be. The whole time I was fasting all I could think about was what I was going to eat. After that first meal I was just kind of like, meh, I could probably do without. And all the delicious extravagant foods that I was thinking of consuming that first day seemed to lose their appeal. I think it's because the Lord had taken His rightful place in my heart. Also know that if you were doing anything longer than a three day fast, your digestive system is probably going to take a while to reboot. After that first meal, my heartbeat accelerated, I was super shaky and I felt that I was going to jump out of my skin because I had so much energy. My stomach had a warm feeling and it was just very intense. This has been about three hours ago now and I am pretty much leveled out. So I guess I just want to say I would never discourage anyone from fasting, it is probably the most meaningful spiritual discipline that I've ever practiced. But do be informed and be aware of the changes and sacrifices it's going to take. I know that fasting is now going to be a regular part of my life. I'm already planning a three day fast for next month. My kids, whom are only 11 years old, have expressed their desire to fast with me. I told them I think they're too young for a regular fast but when I'm doing my fast what they could do is just cut out sweets and snacks and have simple meals and I think that they liked that idea. You will be blessed through this journey of fasting and this book is an absolutely beautiful and encouraging way to begin this much-needed spiritual discipline. Good luck to all of you my brothers and sisters and big Jesus hugs be with you today and always!

Many churches and Christians overlook and underestimate the power of the spiritual practice of fasting. But the Holy Word of our Creator is clear that fasting should be a part of every believer's relationship and journey with a mysterious and wonderful God. The bible says "when you fast..." in Matthew 6:16, not IF you fast. Jentezen's book should be essential reading for every Christian who wants to overcome spiritual plateaus and experience real BREAKTHROUGH — for themselves, their families, and for many nations! BUY this book now. You will not regret it.

I started with a 3 day fast and then did a 7 day fast. If it weren't for this book, I would not have had the excellent guidance from Pastor Franklin, and trust me-it helps to read this book while you fast! It provides excellent sources of scripture to help you understand why it is very important to fast if you are a Christian. I HIGHLY recommend this book for any Christian that is looking to fast. It is easy to read and understand and after fasting, you will see a change in your daily walk with God.

Very good overview of such a deep and broad topic. There is a mandate on our lives. For too long this subject has been in the background or at best discussed but downgraded in importance.I had 100 reasons I couldn't fast from food: blood sugar, headaches, medications, etc. Turns out, I not only CAN fast but I actually like it. God is good and this is one very important way to meet Him.

This is an excellent book for those who want to know more about how to fast & why we should do it. After reading the first few pages, it makes you want to fast. Fasting is a way to worship & grow closer to God & this book gives great detail as to what happens when we honor God by doing so. Even if you have fasted before, this is an excellent read & it may even open your eyes to other reasons as to why we should fast & why we should incorporate it as a way to honor Christ throughout the year.

Do you want to experience breakthrough? Jentezen Franklin's book on fasting is absolutely Holy Spirit inspired! Every chapter is filled with supporting Biblical examples from heroes in the Bible; Scripture references. He says what he knows and send you to complete your own study --- if you don't believe.The testimonials help bolster your faith as you devour the pages of this anointed book. I have already given away five books. My testimonial, after a three day water fast God restored a family relationship, increased my side hustle finances from $690 to $1800, day two --- my Mother received a call from her prophetic prayer partner with a word from the LORD, blessed with a just because check for $160 from a friend, and peace in my work environment when it was hell on earth for twelve weeks prior.Pastor Franklin is clear that giving, praying, and fasting is the practice and culture of a Follower of Jesus Christ and I only wish that I had the book and revelation decades earlier. Thanks, Pastor Franklin for your obedience!