Top Ten Fasting Posts of 2012

As we prepare to begin the year with prayer and fasting, it might inspire us to read the fasting content that most inspired people throughout the past year.

Some of the most-read fasting posts this past year were:

1. The Ezra Fast (January 27, 2010) This was last year’s #1 post, and it remained in the #1 slot as the most-read fasting post of 2012.

When we are facing a financial crisis, a problem, a heavy burden or are concerned about the future of our children, we should look to Ezra and the fast he called when leading the Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem.

2. Breaking Bondage: The Disciples’ Fast (February 2, 2010) This post was the 2nd most-read fasting post last year, and it retained its ranking as #2 again this year.

Are there secret sins from which you cannot get free, no matter how hard you try or how many times you confess?  God desires to set you free. He has established a path to freedom for you – a path of fasting.

3. Targeting Decisions: The St. Paul Fast (January 30, 2010) This post was in the top five last year, moving up from #4 to the third most-read fasting post this year.

Saul had dedicated his life to persecuting Christians. It was only after he went without eating and drinking that he saw the light. God gives insight and direction when we fast and pray. After fasting for three days, Paul was given a vision of the future.

4. Breaking Negative Emotional Habits (January 31, 2010)

Are you plagued by frequent despair and despondency? Are you so focused on your problems that you can’t see what God is doing around you? Don’t feel condemned; you are joined by one of the greatest prophets in the old testament – Elijah. Just as God used fasting to break Elijah’s negative emotional habits, God can break your negative emotional tendencies through fasting as well.

5. How Should I Prepare for a Fast (January 11, 2011)

These six steps will help prepare you for a Biblical fast.

6. Health and Healing: The Daniel Fast (February 1, 2010)

Do you want to live healthier and make healthy choices in your eating? Do you need healing for a specific condition? The Scriptural principles of the Daniel Fast apply to your situation.

7. Call for the Watching, Fasting Women (January 31, 2011)

In the Bible, women were called upon to fast and pray in times of crisis. They were also called upon to proclaim God’s word — to make Him known. Women today have the same callings.

8. Where is the Glory? (January 21, 2010)

At times, we become spiritually dry, complacent and lukewarm. The Samuel Fast is a fast for personal and national revival – for the return of the glory of God.

9. Why Does God Reward Fasting? (January 27. 2012)

Why does God respond to fasting? Fasting is from Him, through Him, and to Him. It originates from Him, is enabled by Him and expresses helplessness and hope in Him, which draws attention to His glory. God’s ultimate commitment is to His glory.

10. Faith, Bravery, and the God Who is Able (January 25, 2012) This was a guest-post by Scott Brodie who typed this powerful post with his toes.

When I think of healing and bravery in the midst of certain death, no other person stands out to me like Hezekiah. Rather than surrender to the enemy, which appeared to be the only option for Hezekiah in this life or death scenario, he turned to God and His word for deliverance.

Question: Was your favorite fasting post not listed above? If so, please take a moment to let me know what fasting post most inspired or informed you during the past year.