Are you ready for a 40-day journey you’ll never forget? You can start this financial fast anytime by marking today’s calendar and then setting your end date 40 days from now. From the beginning, let’s agree this is not prosperity teaching or affiliated with the prosperity gospel movement.
(image: Bigstock)
Fasting is spiritually rewarding. But let’s understand this is not a Lenten activity practiced only by Catholics. The Catholic tradition includes fasting foods, penance, and self-examination of sins. It typically focuses on sacraments mandated by the church.
Now that we’ve removed the obstacles to 40 days of fasting, let’s begin our journey with the Holy Spirit!
According to Dr. Elmer Towns there are Nine fasts of Isaiah 58:6-8
- Loose the bonds of wickedness- Disciples fast to break addiction and sin
- Undo heavy burdens- Ezra fast to solve problems
- Let oppressed go free- Samuel fast for evangelism and revival
- Break every yoke- Elijah fast to break discouragement and burnout
- Share your bread with the hungry- Widow’s fast to supply physical necessities to the poor
- Your light shall break forth- Paul fast for insight and decision making
- Healing shall spring forth- Daniel fast for health and healing
- Righteousness shall go before you- John the Baptist fast for influence and testimony
- Glory of God shall be your rear guard- Esther fast for spiritual warfare and protection from the evil one
Pray the Holy Spirit teaches you to be a good steward of money, so my financial fast is based on #6 for insight and decision making. I am praying that He shows me what are necessities and what are luxuries. I am praying that He teaches me to fill the empty spaces in my heart with God’s love and the Presence of Jesus, rather than with excess spending or eating. I am praying to take my mind off money and that it will not become an idol in my life. What are you praying for?
While fasting financially, I am praying for you too. I’ll be reading your comments on the Bible Cafe™ event page. I will be interceding and lifting you up in prayer. Some of you are struggling financially and praying for employment or debt reduction. Others are struggling to create a budget or stay within your budget. A few have let money become the master of your life or allowed it to shame you. Together we’ll pray to break any strongholds that money has assumed in our hearts.
Financial Fasting with the Bible Cafe™ Community
God may be calling you to deny yourself something for the next 40 days. Pray into this and ask Him to reveal things on your shopping list that are unnecessary. Ask Him to examine your calendar of events. Sit with your bank statements and ask Him to line-item those things that are necessary and those that are not. Most importantly ask Him “Am I being a good steward of my money?” Wait for an answer.
Create a simple list of what you will allow and what you will deny yourself for the next 40 days. What YOU give up and what makes YOU uncomfortable is going to be different than someone else. For example, I do not smoke or drink, so if I gave up the cost buying cigarettes or alcohol for 40 days, it would have zero impact on my life and I would not grow spiritually. I do have an addiction to books and it will make me uncomfortable to miss a daily book deal or shop on Amazon. This is just one example of where I feel the Holy Spirit telling me to cut unnecessary spending.
Financial Fasting Bible Verses to Study or Memorize
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14 ESV
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 ESV
Never stop praying. 1 Thess. 5:17 NLT
Tip: using your cell phone, snap a photo of these verses so you can find them easily
Steps For Spiritual Growth
- Decide which of the nine fasts from Isaiah that you will be focused on. I shared that I am fasting for insight and decision making. Post a comment below and let me know what you are fasting for so I can write your name on my prayer card.
- Fast and pray according to God’s will. Make sure you ask for things God wants you to have. Pray and ask Him.
- Create a simple list of what you will allow and what you will deny yourself for the next 40 days.
- If you need to move a mountain, put your faith into your prayers. Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22 NLT.
- Book: “Fasting For Financial Breakthrough” by Dr. Elmer Towns, read chapters 1 and 2 (optional) (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Fasting for #4 need to break yoke. Break away from discouragement and burn out.
I need o sit down and make out a few lists. Bills I have upcoming and of other expenses. Then I will have to pray for discernment to how to best manage my money. It seems like there is more month then money lately.
I agree this is what I need as well discernment
Health and healing
I am praying for balance and renewed spirit!
I will also be fasting for good decisions but also to break shopping addiction
I am fasting #4 and # 9 ..I felt led by the Holy Spirit to fast for these two. I don’t drink or smoke but I have surrendered this forty days fast into God’s hands
Insight and decision making
Christine,
This is a GREAT idea! Who among us couldn’t benefit from stepping off “life’s treadmill” of busyness to regroup, pray, and focus on where we spend our money and the frivolous daily temptations we may not even realize we are allowing to derail our budgets. My “uncomfortable” will be my one clicking of new books! I’m like you, I love to read and know I spend way too much on Books and coffee!! I’m excited to see how this journey goes. LET’S DO THIS!!
Heidi
PS). And Satan hit me within the first minute…..I took a break to read email and right there on the first email…”GET YOUR COPY OF THE NEWEST SETH SPEAKS BOOK RELEASE”…UGH! I LOVE THE SETH SPEAKS BOOKS. However, my one click for today was to one click that email right to my TBR list. I will relook at that in 41 days:))
Email tempts me to buy as well so I’ll save those links as a “wish list” and like you, decide on day 41 if this is something in alignment with God’s will. I’ve budgeted for Bible study workbooks as permissible on my fast, not entertainment books 🙂
Me too Heidi–Amazon.com has made a fortune from my one-clicks!
I also am fasting for insight and decision making I am already in the hole this month and don’t get paid until 27th. I have $160 worth of meds to buy also. Ugh. I am fasting from payday loan places as well as other issues. More month/bills than $. Thank you for praying.
I’m fasting for insight and decision making in regards to my finances, business and family as well as health and healing
Today’s the day, ready to start. Need to make some financial decisions regarding employment vs. retirement, keeping house in Austin vs. selling and moving to Arizona to retire……..Above all, need to be responsible financially! Let’s do this!!!
I have decide to following: 6.Your light shall break forth- Paul fast for insight and decision making. There are a lot of decision that I need to make and I need God’s guidance. I need to be more responsible financially. I need spiritual anointing for the ministry.
Healing and health for both of us in our senior years, good decisions
Fasting to loose the bonds of wickedness.
Good morning! I am sooooo excited about this fast. I am going to do #6
Today’s the day! Fasting to gain insight on how to better handle my finances. Praying specifically for work for my husband who is self employed and is struggling to the point of depression over this. God still reigns and He has a plan for my life to prosper me and not to cause me harm. Claiming that promise for my family!
I am fasting for insight and better decisions as well.
I am fasting and praying for insight and decision making – got some decisions to make and need Gods wisdom on how to proceed and what direction to go
I have lost 2/3 of my income and need to stretch it to cover the bills. Husband states he will help with the bills but when it comes time to help becomes angry and has a difficult time parting with his money. He is use to spending his money on what ever he wants. Please pray that I can stretch money and for him to become blessed by letting go.
Ordering out
#6 most of all in relation to finances.
I am fasting for insight and decision-making. The areas in my life that I will focus my fast on are my business, my personal savings goals, reducing spending, and home improvements.
My prayer and fast is that I am pleasing to God and that the Holy Spirit will give me understanding.
Help with decision making and discouragement. I have a problem with overspending and also with discouragement due to physical limitations. Need God’s wisdom in both areas. Plan on limiting spending on Amazon purchases and especially online yarn purchases, and, well, unplanned in store yarn purchases.
Also for my husband to find a new job, please!
#6 speaks to me as well. I need insight for our family and our wasteful spending and to only spend what is necessary and to have insight into decisions for daily living. I work 3 jobs and need to let one go. I am praying for the right decision for our family . I don’t want us to suffer for making the wrong decision
6.Your light shall break forth- Paul fast for insight and decision making
I am fasting for #1 to break an addiction. I am addicted to immediate gratification. Lord, please be with me these next 40 days as I commit to not purchasing items to satisfy a temporary desire. I want to desire you wholeheartedly. You will last me a lifetime and into eternity. Things of this world only satisfy “for a day”. With your strength I will be successful in learning to better decipher how to spend the earnings which you provide me the talents to acquire. Amen.
Along with Financial issues ( from being a full time student and stay at home mom with four boys) I’m struggling to stay focused in my studies while tending to two toddlers. I’m fasting for both issues; Balance in Financial needs as well as a Balance in my Focus of studies. I think Break every yoke- Elijah fast to break discouragement and burnout….would suit my situation best smile emoticon Thank You ~
Hi Christine–I’m Catholic, and your first item mentions breaking the bonds of sin by the practices of Lent; that’s what we do too. And the sacraments aren’t specifically tied in to Lent (as opposed to at all times), except for confession of sins after repentance, which all Christians do, whether to God through a priest or to God directly (which we do too). We believe the sacraments were founded by Christ (not traditions of men) and are biblical. Just to clarify, since this is an interdenominational group, right? We have differences but are all Christians. And we’re increasingly being united by what Pope Francis calls the “ecumenism of blood”. 🙂
I am in. I want to break the yoke of debt and unnecessary spending. Working on my list. Thanks Christine!
#4
I am praying for discernment in my financial area, that God will guide me and assist me with making decisions regarding my finances.
#1 and #6, I need to focus on whats really important instaed of “stuff and nonsense”, and to keep strong as Im at the stageof life where my hubby and I are closer to retirement and want to enjoy without worry.
I recently experienced 4 deaths in my family and more with extended family.
I am doing 2,4,and 6. God is good.
#1
I asked God to help me make decisions about my retirement, I needed to make some movements in order to increase my retirement payment as teachers have the lowest salary. Every movement has been a success. Now I need to be financially responsible, what I really need and what isn’t. Before I read this I was going to buy a new fancy a la mode watch, now I’m not, I don’t need it. It will be s luxury.
Let’s start with doing this!!!
I am fasting & praying for 5 & 6. Also, I am excited about this blessed opportunity to journey with you all for the next 40 days.
I have started and already thinking twice about purchases at the supermarket, not buying so much treat and ready made food.
Also is it possible to have a closed FB group to discuss and encourage how we are doing. I am not comfortable publicly discussing financial stuff with friends, work colleagues etc.
I am praying and fasting for insight and decision making. Since my husband’s death, I have fallen into the trap of buying things I don’t need just to fill the void in my heart, especially if I’m sad, upset or discouraged. It is my hope that then I, as a widow, can then be able to supply physical necessities to the poor (#5).
I’m fasting for insight.
I’m would like to do #4. I’m trying to break free from anxiety and worry and I tend to spend money on things I don’t need when I get anxious.
Praying for insight and the relief from shopping addiction.
I’m fasting to be more aware of God and when He speaks to me.
#4 and #6
I am fasting and praying for 2,4,6 and 7.
#6……insight and direction for relocation for my husband and I…….
Guuulppp … your comment about buying too many books on Amazon hit close to home!! 😉
I will be fasting for discernment and wisdom with regard to using my finances. I theoretically earn enough to meet my budget every month, but sticking to said budget is a constant area of weakness for me.
I am fasting for insight (#6) as well as emotional healing (#7).
Thank you for offering us this opportunity to participate in this as a group! It is so helpful to have others along for the ride.
1,6,and 9!!
I am praying to undo heavy burdens- Ezra fast to solve problems. The clutter in my home has become a burden in my heart.
#1 – I will be fasting for freedom from my addiction to sugar. I just saw this so my 40 days begin today
I’m asking God to show me new incite to being debt free and unnecessary spending
I’m praying for God’s healing touch.
I am praying for God to help me break discouragement in my life for waiting on God’s timing.
I am praying for revival and salvation for all my family members and friends
1, 3, & 6. I am fasting to break my obsession/addiction to food and supplements, to better hear God when he speaks, and for the salvation of my family- particularly my spouse. His unbelief is a heavy burden on my heart and our marriage.
I’m praying for 3,4, and 6.
The Daniel fast for health and healing
I would like to join, I have been looking to do a fast and could not find one that spoke to my heart. And then I seen the post in my email.
I forgot to add I will be doing this with the book, I just got it 🙂
I will to The Lord for teach me not buy for something I do not nee, I want pay my debts asap. My father has cancer. Instead of spending money for something I do not need I will like to help my parents wit the costs of the shot.
I will pray for # 4 5 6
Fasting for numbers 1 and 7. Praying God will help me break free from my sugar addiction and heal my 17 month old niece, Kirsten, of a debilitating disease.
6 & 8 fasting for insight and decision making, also for influence an testimony
7&9 praying for healing and to break the bondage of sin that weighs heavily on my covenant husband whose been taken hostage by the evil one in an adulterous relationship.
Fasting for 6,7 insight and healing
Praying for wisdom for dealing with family problems,and witnessing God power in healing
Fasting for Financial Break through.
Fasting for # 6