Day 6: Make Up Your Mind
Time spent in fasting and prayer builds confidence and helps you develop the determination necessary to run your race with endurance. We all have need of endurance! For many years now I’ve enjoyed running. It has a two-fold purpose for me. Running is a stress reliever, but it is also an opportunity for me to spend time in prayer. And I’ve learned a few secrets about going for a successful run through the years. One of them is to make up my mind before I start exactly how far I’m going to run. If I don’t take that important step, my body will quickly decide that the run is over and not take any more steps. You cannot prepare to run a marathon after the gun has fired and the race has begun. You prepare for months, running a little further each time, conditioning your body to go the distance.
In the same way, fasting and prayer prepare and condition your spirit to go the distance in life’s battles. Whether you are considering a fast that lasts one day or several days, the only way to know that you can succeed is to make up your mind—determine in advance—that you will succeed, remaining faithful for the full length of the fast. Numerous people have told me how amazed they were by the grace they experienced several days into a lengthy fast.
As the writer of Hebrews encourages, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Heb. 10:35–36). I want to endure. I want to do the will of God. I want the promise! Fasting and prayer prepare and condition your spirit to go the distance in life’s battles. Remember, fasting is not a requirement—it is a choice. Fasting does not make you better than anyone else, nor does it make you some kind of religious freak. Choosing to fast is the choice to separate yourself from the routines of life and wait upon the Lord with greater intensity, seeking His face and His presence in a deeper way. I have learned that one of the keys to a successful fast is to make up your mind how long you are going to fast before you begin and what you are going fast. Make a plan, write it down and stick to it.
January 11, 2013 | Permalink39 Responses to Day 6: Make Up Your Mind
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Dani Hewitt says:
I want to endure! I want the will of God! I want the promise!
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maria francis-allen says:
yesterday I had one of the most challenging days, training session started late, wrong teaching material was delivered, flight was 3 hours delayed , then to top it off, going home part of the highway was closed off due to construction. I dont see this as being coincidence.. i think the fast has gotten the enemy all stirred up!! I am pressing on cause I want more of God!!
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Ros says:
Today was challenging but I felt God’s grace, I knew it was grace, with the many distractions and errands i had but this makes me more determined than ever to complete this fast. So be encourage, Maria, Im sure the enemy or enemies are stirred. however God is All Powerful and Almighty. Think about it this is Day 6 and I am as you are, more determined than ever to get more of God.
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Yes God is all powerful!! Together with all our other brothers and sisters we will chase after God… because there is more
Thank you Ros!!
Bless you
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Bernice says:
I began this fast with a need to grow closer to God and this morning I had an intense desire to praise and worship Him. As I did so, an indescribable feeling came over me and I know I am in a good place. I have noticed also I am becoming more patient even though I am fasting. PRAISE GOD.
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Barbie says:
Praise the Lord, I too woke up with a burning desire to praise God in a dance.
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rosemary says:
I thank my Heavenly Father for this new Year and I declare radical obedience, hope faith and radical favor this year
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Grace says:
Whenever I do a fast, It just reminds me of how close God is to me, spending extra time in his word, listening to sermons, all of these things intensify my relationship with the master. Yes, those fire balls will come, but it just causes me to call on him even more.
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It always does.
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Paula says:
Praise the Lord everyone! Well, this is the fifth day of the fast, and I am feeling pretty good right now. God has been ministering to me. I spent most of the day reading my bible, and listening to worship music with my grandchildren. It was filled with the presence of God. I know the enemy must have been furious, because my computers went crazy as if someone has hacked into them. They are brand new computers. I have placed the situation in God’s hands, and I am asking him to fight against those who are fighting against me. I am asking for prayer in with my computer situation. I believe that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that I can ask or think; according to the power that worketh in me. Be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power.
God bless you and keep you and your family Pastor Franklin.
You are a gift to the body of Christ.Paula
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Ros says:
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you Paula or your family especially those grandchildren shall be able to prosper. In Jesus Christ name. His grace is wonderful.
Be encourage
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Becka says:
I know exactly what you mean. I declared in December that I was going to do the 21-day fast before the year was over the enemy begin an assault attack against me through my children. Oh that made me even more determined to begin the fast so that my children may be blessed and overcome as well.
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Reveda says:
i am determined, with the grace of God to complete this 21 day fast. There is no turning back. i submit myself to Him…..
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Juju says:
Yes, I am with you! There is no turning back, as there is a great reward waiting ahead of us!
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Denyse W. says:
My mind is made up…. I’m prepared to finish this fast with my husband. We are listening and preparing for what God has for our family in 2013!
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Yemi says:
Create in me a new heart o lord and give me the Grace to finish this fast. I completed this fast last year and you took a big reproach out of my life. But the devil will be put to shame this year again, stabilise my career , marriage Finance. I am looking up to you for stability in my job and career let me be free from debt..
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Antoinette says:
God will provide for me complete this fast cause I know and believe that it is His that I do. Cause after I have confidently endured, after I have done the Will of God, I will receive His promises to me and my family!!! Praise and thank God for His unspeakable Gift, Jesus!!!!!!! Thank You Jesus for leading me to fast then for giving me the confidence and strength to complete it because it is Your Will and pleasure, and I know it is, to prosper and richly bless me and mine!!!!!!! So be it unto to me according to Your Will for my life, for my family’s lives!!!!!!!
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Esther says:
I planned from the beginning that I was going to fast from certain things in addition to the food. I planned as I was going along that I would incorporate some of those things into the fast. Today I turn off the TV from sunrise to sunset as part of my fasting. I realize I can sit for hours watching TV and I have never spent that much time with God in one sitting. It is sad that I have wined and pouted more today over the not watching TV than over the food. I look forward to this extra time with reading, praying and adoring God.
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anointedchild says:
Amen brothers and sisters keep fighting the good fight of faith. I too am experiencing more of Gods presence and more hunger and desire to get close to Him. I realize more and more this is accomplished through obedience. I am desiring and learning everyday through the word to surrender my life to the Lord and I trust that I will find it in Him. The things of the world I don’t want anymore, and although I know this is an uphill battle, I remember Gods word that they that hunger and thirst after rigtouesness shall be filled. He has everything we need, His presence is Love, Goodness, mercy, peace and Joy! We need Him and everything else will be added! Praise God!!
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Freddy says:
God message Pastor Franklin, it is encouraging me to continue in full fast. I had plan to break it down in two parts, first week in full and the rest in Daniel Fast, But the strength of God is helping me, with prayer day by day I’ll endure the race. I was reading my bible and I find theses verses that I want to share with all of you, Collosians 2:6-7 (NLT) 6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on .Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
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Nathalie If. UK says:
Amen!
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jeff says:
Praise GOD for all your thoughts from the word and your own struggles with the fast. It makes me feel normal….and that little satan that’s trying to mess with our getting closer to our Awesome ” GOD ” ..get behind us and all of us start stomping him under our feet ! Have a geat fasting weekend.. Humble us more LORD ..so when there is less of us there will lots more of GOD..
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Sherry Jabbie says:
PRAISE THE LORD….. This is day 5 and i’ve never felt better and that is because i made up my mind to glean from the reapers of GOD,thank you Pastor Franklin for your anointing that it helped me to press forward in the things of God
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mwandu says:
i pray i endure the entire 21 days i have done it before with your pastor and i know i will make again.God is moving each day……
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Val says:
This is my seventh year participating in the Fast. I have discovered that God’s grace is sufficient. Once I made up my mind to fast, God gave me the strength to endure. At Free Chapel we do a 3 day liquid fast and finish with the Daniels’ Fast. Since I have been participating, my relationship with God has deepened and I have increase in all areas of my walk. May you be strengthened in your inner man by the power of His might!
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Guibithja says:
I’m at work and decided to be part of this movement, the Amizing things happened yesterday when all walls felt down and I’m in the process of seeing God moves in my behalf but the devil was trying to put me down. Thank God because He is in
control of my life and my ministry and I’m confident that my miracles time is now and I will endure following the will of God and see HIS promises in my life.Thank you Pastor Franklin and all Fasting movement for the support as per this verse:1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.Let God continue to strenghten us untill the end of this program.Glory be to God. -
Thelma Kuria says:
I thank God for his faithfulness. Each year when ive fasted for the 21 days i see his works. This being the first week (day5) i can testify to his greatness, i am experiencing peace and a breakthrough in my family life that ive been praying for for years. Be encouraged, The Lord does not forget his own children even when we dissapoint him, he forgives, chastises and loves.
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Patricia Brown says:
I have been under attack and I know who it is. I can’t draw back now. I was looking at Pastor Franklin’s message, “The Secret to Walking with God,” and have been tremendously blessed. So much so that I’m going to listen to it again and meditate on it. I will not look at SAND the same way ever again. I know that satan is trying to get me discouraged so that I would give up, especially when the attacks comes from several angles. I know that God is faithful and He will perfect THAT which concerneth me. You too may have some sand in your shoes, but keep walking. What revelation knowledge in this message!
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Christine says:
Yes, I have seen the Lord help and walk with me through the fast. The things that I longed to eat do not bother me during the fast because I have a purpose and God is holding my hand. When we make the choice to fast and ask for Gods guidance, He always comes through for He is a faithful God. I will always trust in you Lord.
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I am so encourage from all of the statements from my fasting family, as im going into Day 7 still on liquids. OH! what grace,. Satan has already been defeated when Our Lord & Saviour said “It is finished” Thank You Jesus sooooo much.
I mean, REALLY! hell can break lose all around us but according to Psalm 91: 9,10 we are under his covenant shield of protection and no evil shall befall us, He is truly our Refuge and hiding place. -
Wanda says:
I feel so overwhelmed this morning, God woke me early this morning! In the quietness how precious it was just to talk to him and praise him for his goodness! This fast has been so good for me and searching mine own heart and getting rid of bitterness! Praise God from whom blessings flow! Please pray for my grandsons whom is going thru custody battles right now! I want Gods will to done!
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Violet says:
Amen!
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I will make up my mind how far I am gonna run and i will run with great endurance, as I am so determined to reach my goals and God is my strength!
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Karen says:
I am blessed along with the rest of my brothers and sister in Christ to receive God’s grace each and every day and we are all experiencing amazing things that are taking place while we endure during this time of drawing closer to our Lord and Savior, the King of all Ages!We must be on the look out for the enemy, as he is lurking to get us to fall and give up. It is a blessing that we are here today reading or replying and being supportive of each other. I am believing God to be with us in a more deeper and intimate way at the finish line! God’s grace and blessing upon you Pastor Jentezen.!!
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Barbara says:
Praise God for Jesus and another year. Rev. Franklin has often stirred my heart and soul as he allowed the Lord to use him. I know very often of which he speaks. Fasting is a case i point. I easily recall what it required of me. How it emptied me out and G_d poured in. I do need it again at this seasoned stage of my life. There are many voices in the land, hills to climb and valleys to cross; the Lord knows them all. This time I choose to bring my adult daughter along. She has received much and suffered much. I include my Mom who has become a direct opposite of the sweet person that reared me. Lord i seek your face. Give me the time, duration and magnitude of that which you choose me to seek. In your matchless name.
Amen! Its my 5 day fast today. And I tell you, on first or second day of fast it was hard for me and feel almost like nothing is happening…but I told myself God is in control and He is hearing my prayers becaus I am fasting for 21 days. Now today I feel much better and can feel His presence and grace so more and more in my life! Its so great! Looking forward for more fasting days!! God is so good and faithfull!