After your long fast is over, what next do you do—relax and eat all you have missed? Or catch up on your TV series you constrained yourself from watching while the fast was on? Or live the disciplined life God intended for you?
Prayer and Fasting is a non-negotiable requirement for the maturity of every Christian. It helps us curb our fleshly desires and focus more on God. And if you are like me, your local place of worship just ended her annual 21 days of prayer and fasting and it seems like the greatest victory and relief yet.
So now your long fast is over, what next?
Retain these 5 Practices below and watch 2023 become your year of manifestation as a son/daughter of God.
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5 Must Do's After Your Long Fast is Over
Keep Praying
I’m sure you’re already aware of this. Nevertheless, I just thought to put the reminder out here. Although you prayed for 21 days, it doesn’t end there. Prayer is an everyday deal with God. If our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ couldn’t function without communing with the Father, you and I have absolutely no excuse. This is because 21 days of connecting with God prayer will not carry you for the remaining 344 days of the year. God has new things to show us, new directions to give us and new places to take us and unless we are tuned in to His frequency, we can only do so little.
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thess. 5:17 NKJV
Fast Often
If you thought the only fast you need for a victorious 2023 just ended, think again. After your long fast is over, you will still need to fast often. Rather than dread this exercise, see it as a way to mature into sonship; to grow in spiritual capacity. Taking such spiritual responsibility heightens your spiritual sensitivity to God among many other benefits…as a wise man rightly put it—”Fasting fattens your spirit and fastens your flesh.” Another wise man said, “Fasting brings answers to your prayers, fast!” Do not lose out on the benefits of fasting by holding it off again till next year. It’s too risky to do so.
“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matt. 17:21 NKJV
Study God's Word
When the long fast was on, your Bible was your bestie. After the long fast is over, have you resumed binging on netflix or scrolling for hours on social media? Does this sound like you? I earnestly hope not.
God’s Word is our manual for profitable living. Thinking we can maximize our lives without using God’s Word as our map is a huge lie that will leave us in regrets. We need God’s Word EVERYDAY—for instruction, provision, direction, correction, wisdom, healing, you name it. We need God’s Word for everything.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17 NKJV
Meditate on God's Word
The art of meditation is still one of the least explored gems in the Christian-dom. A lot of Christians praise, fast, pray, and study but quite a lot of Christians do not take time to meditate. Meditation on God’s Word is thinking on the Word of God in order to grasp answers to questions and gain deep understanding on subject matters that concern you. This is the reason why men of meditation are men of wisdom.
Create time and space to meditate. Find a quiet place and sit before God with scriptures. Ruminate over them prayerfully until light bursts forth. The joy of gaining light from scripture is one of the best experiences in the world.
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8 NLT
Give
Many of us love to receive but when it comes to giving, we are nowhere to be found. And for some, they give for the sake of what they will receive in return. As disciples of Christ, we are called to a life of giving; sowing. We give our time and talents, money and materials, you name it. We give because God gave us. The most beautiful yet almost contradicting part is – the one who gives is more blessed than the receiver. and it’s so true because what I give, I do not lack. Things I’ve held on to tightly, I often need.
Do not let prayer and fasting dictate when you can give money, food, clothes, etc. Let giving be your way of life.
“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 NLT
With God on our side and our hands on the plough, 2023 will be such a great year. As we do all the above and every other thing God will be directing us to do, God will be glorified in our lives and we will be greatly blessed.
Do you have any thoughts about things to do after a long fast? kindly share with me in the comment section.
Keep loving God.
Till I write to you next time.
With love and passion,
