Archives by: Gary Hoag

And then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Luke 2:37

“We often only think of physical hunger when we think of fasting, but fasting renews our spiritual hunger and connection to God. It’s interesting how this works: Physical hunger done with the goal of seeking Jesus makes our spiritual hunger for Him even stronger. Fasting brings a fresh fire of zeal and passion for Him. Jesus indicated that His disciples would fast when He was gone (Mark 2:20). Fasting is that longing of the Bride (the Church) for the Bridegroom. It’s physical pain that stirs spiritual craving for the Lord. Fasting not only rekindles our hunger for God, but it also serves as a way to minister to the Lord. In Luke 2:37, Anna, an 84-year-old widow, didn’t depart from the temple but “served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”

Fasting accompanied by prayer is one way we can serve the Lord. As a pastor and minister of the Lord, Anna’s example is a vital reminder that I must not only minister to people, but also minister to the Lord through fasting and prayer. Every minister of the Lord must learn to minister to the Lord like she did. That’s where the secret lies. Similarly, Acts 13:2 tells us that Saul and Barnabas “…ministered to the Lord and fasted…” Serving or ministering to the Lord is done best through worship and prayer accompanied with fasting. Just as Paul’s missionary calling was birthed during a season of ministering to the Lord, our own ministries are strengthened and directed when we engage in prayer and fasting.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 19-21.

I am looking for role models as I move to Founder of GTP. Anna provides a good example for me of perseverance (ministering daily in the temple at 84 years old) and ministering to the Lord.

Remember that our Lord Jesus Himself said that when we minister to the least among the people we minister to Him. That means the ministry of every person of every age, regardless of how local or global, can minister to the Lord.

I hope this exploration of fasting ignites renewal in you and a deeper connection with God. Or at least that it has raised awareness for the need to disconnect from the world so you can connect more closely with God.

When this posts I will not be home yet but on my way. Thanks for your prayers for safe and uneventful travel.

Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:3

“The most common fast in the Bible was to seek God’s salvation from enemies. Ezra fasted when faced with danger on the way to Jerusalem, asking God for divine protection (Ezra 8:21-28). Esther fasted when she faced evil Haman and realized there was no other way or hope for the Jews (Esther 4:16). Jehoshaphat fasted when the Canaanite and Syrian armies were invading (2 Chronicles 20:3). According to psychology, the two basic human responses to danger are fight or flight. But God offers us a third response:
fasting. That’s what Jehoshaphat did as king—he sought the Lord through fasting, rather than immediately fighting or fleeing.

Fasting gets us back in touch with the almighty God, who is able to deliver us. Sometimes we face problems bigger than ourselves, but they are not bigger than God. History is full of godly people who learned to face life’s calamities on their knees with fasting. What the enemy meant for evil, God turned for their good. This same God is our God today. Whatever the enemy means for evil in our lives, God will turn for our good if we seek to follow and be faithful to Him.

In many instances, fasting turns into feasting. God turns mourning into joy, sickness into healing, defeat into victory. It’s not that fasting has its own power, but fasting exposes our powerlessness. Then, in our weakness, we find God to be our strength and source of refuge. When you hit rock bottom, get on your knees, humble yourself before God, and fast. You will discover God to be not only God of the mountains but also God of the valleys. If life has broken you down, break your pride and fast. You will find God bringing your breakthrough on the other side. Trust Him!”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 18-19.

The Global Gathering has finished well. Stay tuned for a trip report from the staff.

Meanwhile I fasted a meal as I needed help from God over the past day. I had to work on my talks for preaching in multiple churches in Seoul, South Korea, this weekend and for speaking at the World Evangelical Alliance Global Assembly.

Hear me say that I called to God saying “Help!” and I report that He gave me words and guided my thoughts.

Do you have a lot on your plate? Is your life full? Do you feel overwhelmed? Don’t fight or flight. Fast. It will position you to be filled by God and empowered for your most generous and fruitful service.

In about 12 hours, I travel all day and cross the date line and arrive about the time I depart. Thanks for your prayers for a safe arrival and 36 good hours at home before reverting to Seoul.

Why not go straight there? I have three checked bags full of GTP supplies. I need to change all that out and have one checked suitcase full of suits and ties for Korea.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2-3

“Fasting should not be reserved for crisis and problems, but also to seek our calling. Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness occurred before the start of His ministry. It was after a season of fasting and testing that Jesus returned “in the power of the Holy Spirit” to fulfill His assignment (Luke 4:14).

As I mentioned, Paul and Barnabas fasted and ministered to the Lord before they were launched into missionary work. Later in their missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for churches by committing them to the Lord with prayer and fasting (Acts 13:2-3). That was how God launched them into their ministry, and then they followed this same pattern to launch other elders into their assignment, establishing a pattern for ministry that included fasting and prayer.

Reflecting on their example, I wonder how much our service to God would change if we brought fasting with prayer back into the core practices of our ministry. When Jesus’ disciples tried to drive a demon out of a boy, Jesus attributed their failure to unbelief. Although Jesus ordained them to cast out demons, the solution to this failed attempt was fasting mixed with prayer.

He said, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). This doesn’t mean that every time we minister deliverance, we have to fast, but we must make prayer and fasting a regular spiritual practice in our life if we want to be effective in our ministry to God. The lack of prayer and fasting will result in the lack of power in ministry. No prayer with fasting will bring about no power in ministry.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 21-23.

What an amazing week we have had! Unspeakably good. And we followed the biblical pattern to launch the staff and volunteers by fasting a meal our third day together.

We believe the Holy Spirit gave Jesus what He needed for His assignment and gave us what we needed. A stronger connection to Him and disconnection from the world that has made us ready to multiply faithful and generous stewards.

Stay tuned for a trip report, but for now keep praying for us. The staff will be together on Monday and Tuesday to collaborate on pursuing GTP 2.0.

And may fasting prepare and propel you for more fruitful service. Don’t just do it once or this week. Make it a regular spiritual practice in your life if you want to disconnect from the world and grow in generosity.

“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” 1 Kings 21:29

“When the wicked king Ahab heard the rebuke of Elijah, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted. God’s response to Elijah was, “See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house” (1 Kings 21:29). God called Ahab’s fasting humility. Indeed, we can fast but not actually humble ourselves.

Fasting itself, is not humility; Ahab also tore his clothes and mourned. Fasting is your personal expression of your heart of humility before the Lord. David similarly mentioned fasting as a way to humility: “I humbled myself with fasting” (Psalm 35:13)… The Bible gives us a command to humble ourselves before God. We shouldn’t pray for God to humble us, nor should we wait for life to humble us. We choose to humble ourselves by giving serious attention to Almighty God, taking ourselves off the throne through fasting.

When fasting is used to humble ourselves before God, it can’t escape God’s attention. The choice is ours. The Bible emphasizes the importance of humility: God teaches the humble (Psalm 25:9), lifts up the humble (Psalm 147:6), gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34), and gives wisdom to the humble (Proverbs 11:2). Honor and life and riches come by humility (Proverbs 22:4), God dwells with humble people (Isaiah 57:15), and the humble are great in God’s kingdom (Matthew 18:4).

This doesn’t mean that if we just fast, all these promises automatically become ours. Fasting must be a personal expression of humility. It’s humility that God is looking for, and fasting is a good friend of prayer and humility.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 15-16.

In our reading we have already learned that fasting disconnects us from the world and prayer connects to God. Now we notice that fasting serves as a doorway for the humility that God desires, even for seemingly undeserving Ahab.

The Global Gathering wraps up this weekend. It has gone beyond imagination. I am so thankful we fasted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. God showed up for us in powerful ways. Though we are all undeserving Ahab, his generosity abounds.

When fasting leads to humility, God teaches us, gives grace to us, honors us, and dwells with us. I suggest that everyone augment their generosity with fasting. It humbles and positions you for greater service.

It helps you disconnect from the world and connect to a generous God who wants to convert you from a container of His blessings to a conduit. It’s not over here. Keep fasting and praying for me. I can’t do this alone.

“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12

“Prayer connects us to God and fasting disconnects us from the world. There are levels in God we can’t reach if we are not both disconnected from the world and connected to God. Fasting, together with prayer, helps us do that. Joel 2:12 says, “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Fasting accompanies turning to God and realigns our connection with Him. If you want to strengthen your prayer life, add fasting to it. Fasting without prayer, while not pointless, will not yield the power that God would have us access. The purpose of fasting is to strengthen prayer. We disconnect from the world so that we can connect more deeply with God.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 14-15.

Notice the blessing this new “friend” brings to prayer. It helps us disconnect from everything around as we attempt to connect with God in prayer.

Think about this implications of that with any other aspect of life, like having a meeting with a person.

What do we do? We mark our calendar. That disconnects us from everything else at that moment, and then we connect with this person. We might travel to meet them or do it using technology. So what is the point.

Can we really connect with a person if we don’t disconnect from everything else.

In such a meeting, that person would be distracted, not fully present, and unable to connect. That might be why so many people find themselves not in a vibrant relationship with God.

How can we live, give, serve, and love generously from such a posture. We cannot.

This explains partly why GTP convenes the world for the Global Gathering and includes fasting on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. We do it to connect with God and disconnect from the world.

It has reaped profound blessing and benefits. Stay tuned to learn more. Consider your own fasting.

In the meantime, fast for me.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23

“In the Bible, fasting is almost always conected to prayer. Jesus said, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). While God rewards the practice of fasting when it’s done with the right motives, combining fasting with prayer brings the greatest results.

John Wesley once said, “When you seek God with fasting added to prayer, you cannot seek His face in vain.” Fasting gives a big boost to prayer. When Apostle Paul and Barnabas ordained new elders in every church, they “prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23).

Fasting becomes that added power or intensity to prayer. Donald Whitney, in Spiritual Disciplines, wrote: “Fasting is one of the best friends we can introduce to prayer life.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 13-14.

I am so grateful to God for the many people fasting for me as I engage with 130+ workers from 49 countries and territories at the GTP Global Gathering.

I love this word picture that fasting is one of the best friends we can introduce to prayer. Let’s all introduce this friend.

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. Daniel 10:1-3

“Daniel’s fast involves abstaining from certain foods. The Bible doesn’t actually say that Daniel fasted, but the way the Bible describes his practice is commonly referred to as Daniel’s fast. “I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled” (Daniel 10:3). This type of fasting usually includes avoiding meat, sweets, dairy, or other pleasant foods, and focuses on fruits, vegetables, and simple foods. It is not the traditional definition of a fast, but for many believers in various circumstances, this is the most or the best they can offer to God. And God is pleased whenever we offer Him what costs us something.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 10.

This is the fifth and final kind of fasting in Scripture. I could sum up my Daniel’s fast comments by echoing this phrase at least three times.

“God is pleased whenever we offer Him what costs us something.”

“God is pleased whenever we offer Him what costs us something.”

“God is pleased whenever we offer Him what costs us something.”

Why do I love it so much? The only kind of giving Jesus celebrates is sacrificial. The next time you fast or make a giving decision, make it cost you something. Make it cost you something.

It’s not that Daniel did not understand the vision. He did. He understood the vision. It was big, much bigger than him. And so, he fasted to draw near to God to steward that vision and play his role.

That’s where I find myself today. As I draw near to God, I discern that my role as Founder comes into view as bigger than anything I anticipated. I will share more later.

For now, I need to fast from choice foods to draw near to God. Join me.

Fast for me.

When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah. 1 Samuel 7:6

“A corporate fast is a public fast. Your private fasting should be done in secret, just as Jesus instructed in Matthew 6:16, but public fasting is fasting that is proclaimed by leaders for a group or community. We see biblical examples of this type of fasting throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The prophet Samuel called an entire nation to a fast (1 Samuel 7:6); Esther called her Jewish people to a fast (Esther 4:16); Ezra proclaimed a fast (Ezra 8:21-23); even the pagan king of Nineveh declared a fast for his nation (Jonah 3:5); and the disciples fasted together and ministered to the Lord (Acts 13:2-3).”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 10.

The Corporate Fast is the third of five kinds of fasting.

Sometimes God’s servants call God’s people to fast together before God or to fast for them, as in the case of Esther. This demonstrates a profound sense of humility and dependence on God and others.

Today I ask you to fast for me. I will hand the baton of President & CEO by my choice to Trevor Lui and shift to Founder. Everything’s going great following God’s leading, but it will undoubtedly be hard for me.

Letting go is hard. We are not fasting from food today in Malaysia as we have two board committees this morning, and full board session with fishbowl observers (that means people watch us have a board meeting to learn).

The fourth kind of fasting is non-food fasting.

I am employing this kind of fasting today. I find myself in a sea of people, I am trying to connect to God and discern His best for me as I embark on this new season as Founder.

Do this if you find yourself in transition too. It’s hard! We have to let go of much. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I am fasting for you too. If not, remember me and others like me.

Fast for me.

There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. Ezra 8:21-23

“An absolute fast is sometimes referred to as a “dry fast” and refers to a fast without food or water. This fast is considered a supernatural fast. Moses went on this type of fast for 40 days (Exodus 34:28). The city of Nineveh underwent an absolute fast (Jonah 3:7), as did the Apostle Paul after his encounter with the Lord (Acts 9:9). Due to the extreme impact on the physical body, this type of fast should not be undertaken for more than three days, and should only be done if you have a clear directive from the Lord and are in good health.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 9.

I had a reader ask me to give more instructions about types of fasts, so I want to elaborate for the good of all readers. The answer, in short, is that the biblical material provides at least five different kinds of fasts.

The first is the absolute fast. Scholars describe what Moses and Jesus did – 40 days with no food and water – as supernatural. Clearly the first foreshadowed the second. Both happened at defining moments.

Moses had just received the 10 commandments to form the people of God. Similarly, the early ministry of Jesus started with a 40-day fast. In these supernatural moments, we see God working in mighty ways.

Notice also that an absolute fast preceded the ministry of Paul. Perhaps save this type of fast before big moments. I remember doing an absolute fast the day before my doctoral defense in England.

I like to describe this fast as a time of absolute surrender. I chose the text from Ezra as it represents one of my favorite (and certainly less famous) fasts in Scripture. Notice the posture of surrender and dependence.

If you have something big happening in your life – a defining moment – I suggest you try this kind of fast in advance and see if you experience the generosity of God like Ezra did. It will empower your generous living for sure.

A second kind of fast, the normal fast, excludes food but may include water. This is especially important if the person fasting engages in any activity. Water serves the body like gas does for a car. We need it to function.

Going without water for any length of time is not for the weak and faint of heart. As today’s Scripture notes, sometimes we fast, but may drink water, and we do it with others. That’s what we are doing today in Malaysia.

Today at the Global Gathering we have two board committees, we will discussing Letters by a Modern Mystic by Frank C. Laubach to train the staff and board to hear God’s voice, and we will discuss five GTP 2.0 statements linked to our vision, purpose, values, programs, and verse for global collaboration.

And we will fast lunchtime today. Thanks for your prayers. Fast for me.

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. Matthew 9:15

“Jesus taught His followers that fasting should be done in secret, not accompanied by open signs of mourning or efforts to gain man’s attention. Jesus’ teaching on fasting focused on true humility and service to God. It directly contrasted the Pharisees’ fasting. When confronted by the Pharisees about why His disciples weren’t fasting the way they did, Jesus answered that once He left this earth, His disciples would fast.

The early Church precisely followed Jesus’ example and teaching on fasting. Let me emphasize: They fasted regularly. Early Christians typically fasted twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays… Wednesday was to commemorate Jesus’ betrayal by Judas, and Friday was to remember His crucifixion. They abstained from food for part of the day, typically until mid-afternoon or evening, rather than observing strict, full 24-hour fasts.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 7-8.

Imagine pausing from eating each Wednesday to consider how our lives might look like Judas and areas we need to repent and change directions. And imagine reflecting on the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins each Friday rather than partaking of a meal.

These pauses feed our body and spirit so that our soul gets reset, renewed, and refreshed for service.

Consider one more thought today.

The fact that Jesus wants us to fast and tells us to do it in secret does not mean that we do not talk about it, teach others to practice it, and include it in our discipleship instruction. It means we do not do it for the wrong reasons.

Ask the Holy Spirit what fasting needs to look like for you. Jesus wants you to do while awaiting His return.

With all the preparations for the Global Gathering coming together and 134 people from 50+ countries convening, I have a lot on my plate this week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (pictured above).

In the words of Esther, “Fast for me.”