Lexi Shipp: Lexi Shipp is a passionate writer, speaker, and Bible teacher. With a Bachelors in Religion and Masters in Human Services Counseling, both specified in Christian Ministry, Lexi loves serving alongside her husband doing Next Gen Ministry. Working with middle and high school girls for years, she has a heart for connecting all generations of women and championing the next generation for the cause of Christ – starting within her own home as a mom. Lexi serves as a regular LifeWay Girls blogger and the Communications Team Lead for the SBC of Virginia’s Women’s Ministry. To read more of Lexi’s writings or to book her as a speaker, connect with her on Instagram @alexisleeshipp.
“…I have treasured the words from his mouth more than my daily food.”
Job 23:12
Isn’t it amazing how the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and the way He speaks transcends time and weaves throughout generations?
In the same timeframe that this verse from the book of Job was in my Bible reading, I had been praying, “Lord, my body really wants food right now, but more than my physical body is craving food, my soul craves you.”
In the context of the verse above, Job is experiencing deep suffering but still choosing to be faithful to the God He knows, acknowledging that God is His ultimate source of sustenance. In the context of my prayer, as a church family, we were going through a journey of prayer and fasting together. This is always a powerful experience and one that never ceases to have a tremendous impact on our family.
By the final day of the fast, what I found was that as excited as I was to eat some of my favorite treats that I had cut out for the sake of pursuing something greater (and I was excited), I actually found myself almost MORE excited for how God was going to show up in the things I had been bringing before Him over the course of the fast. In order to see God move in those ways, I would be willing to “sacrifice” the desires of my flesh. The spiritual had become more important than the physical. My gaze had shifted. It may have been challenged in moments with a stomach that was empty and growling, but the Lord had shown me so much.
Fasting is a practice of pushing ourselves in a healthy way in order to empty ourselves. “Yes, I want _________, but do I want God more?”
Depending on the type of fast, there are some who may have special limitations due to medical reasons. But for those who don’t, what is it that we would struggle giving up in order to get more of God? Would you struggle giving up food for a certain amount of time during the day?
My challenge to you as you read this, is whatever that thing is that pops into your mind that would be difficult for you to give up – press into that. Press in and ask yourself, “Would I be willing to give this up for supernatural transformation in my own life and to see the work of God displayed?“
Prayer and fasting is not often talked about in many church circles, but it is a regular spiritual discipline that we are called to as believers. If this is something new or unfamiliar to you, or if you’d just like to learn more, I encourage you to study Biblical prayer and fasting.
