Vladimir Savchuk: The biblical way to humble ourselves

“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.”

This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. Leviticus 16:29-31

“In Jewish tradition and culture, fasting also plays a significant role. Historically, fasting was used to express mourning for the dead. It was a way to express submission to God, both individually and corporately. We see through their example that fasting is a way to humble ourselves before God and to seek His help.

For example, Moses fasted before receiving the commandments from God. The celebration of Yom Kippur is the only fast explicitly mandated by God in the Torah, observed in the seventh month (Tishrei) as a day of atonement for the affliction and introspection of one’s soul.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 6.

Fasting comes into view as an important day of rest for God’s people.

I find it fascinating how most modern protestants know nothing or next to nothing about fasting. And many of them say they have never practiced it.

Read the Scripture again. Notice that God describes this as an important day of rest.

Work for people in antiquity linked not so much to make a paycheck. Most people worked the land to eat. God says, take the day off. Those who humble themselves find spiritual refreshment.

What if you took a day of rest from food and work to humble yourself before God?

Today I will fast a meal and draw near to God, rest, and surrender the GTP Global Gathering to Him and everything and everyone related to this important week.

I am safely in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the words of Esther, “Fast for me.”

Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16

“Fasting is done for spiritual reasons. Fasting is not a diet to help you lose weight; it’s a way to humble yourself before God and fervently seek Him. While there are some physical benefits to fasting, the Bible emphasizes the spiritual benefits. Fasting is not a hunger strike.

When we fast, we are not trying to manipulate and/or force God to do something. Fasting doesn’t move God; instead, it moves us closer to God. It humbles us, not God. It repositions us, not God. Our main goal is to humble ourselves and to recognize our need for God. When accompanied by prayer and sincere repentance, fasting will yield great spiritual results.

Fasting is similar to prayer; it doesn’t hold any power, but when we pray with fasting, we can access God’s power in greater measure. Fasting increases our spiritual sensitivity and our heart’s awareness of the spirit realm, where we are already seated in Christ Jesus.”

Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 4-5.

Since the start of GTP, we have a pattern of fasting three days together for spiritual reasons. The board fasts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this next week.

The Regional Facilitators, Country Coordinators, Course Moderators, Church Ambassadors, and other volunteers or guests fast on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The staff fast on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

We do this to draw near to God. The three days pattern for a collective fast matches what Esther did in advance of approaching the king. We do it to approach the King of Kings as a global team.

Three is a number that represents moving from death to life. Why do the staff fast four days. Four represents in Scripture the totality of the world. Think of the four corners of the compass.

Our staff numbers 20 from 20 countries. 19 of 20 will attend: Silvia Alvares (Honduras), Tionge Chile (Malawi), Haily Chow (Hong Kong), Claudiu Ciontos (Costa Rica), Ruthie Cristobal (Philippines), Bea Falcão (Brazil), Prakash Chandra Giri (Nepal), Olena Hetman (Poland), Gary Hoag (USA), Trevor Lui (Canada / Hong Kong), Paula Mendoza (Guatemala), Samuel Mujyanama (Rwanda), Anita Mulwana (Uganda), Romeo Nkongnou (Cameroon), Lea Peguero (Dominican Republic), Emmna Pervaiz (Pakistan), Eliana Ramirez (Colombia), Nevine Rezk (Egypt), and Irene Wat (Taiwan). On maternity leave: Ereny Monir (United Arab Emirates).

Our board numbers 12 but we have 13 coming with an outgoing and incoming member overlapping. 13 of 13 will attend. Michael Cherenkov (Ukraine), Comlan Prosper Deh (Togo), Gina Detera (Philippines), Manju George (India), Kareen Gudiel (Guatemala), Randy Kung (USA), Tim Macready (Australia), Zenet Maramara (Philippines), Kehinde Ojo (Nigeria), Vicky Ong (Hong Kong), Sanjay Patra (India), Andrea Wilson Messam (Jamaica), and Andrew Youssef (Egypt).

We have 12 regional facilitators who live and serve in the twelve regions of the Lausanne Movement. 12 of 12 will attend. Samson Adoungbe (Benin), Christine Soliman (Egypt), Yuri Boldirev (Moldova), Anjji Gabriel (Philippines), Gabriel Hakulin (Czech Republic), Greg Henson (USA), Karen Kwok (Hong Kong), Chris Maphosa (Zimbabwe), Julieta Murillo (Ecuador), Rebecca Nilanjana (India), Josh Reid (Australia), John Roomes (Jamaica).

Pray for us as we welcome 90 GTP Country Coordinators, Course Moderators, Church Ambassadors, PAG Administrators, and other strategic volunteers and special guests: Emmanuel Agyenim-Boateng (Ghana), Nelson Aho (Ghana), Mario Amador (Nicaragua), Javier Angulo (USA), Adel Azmi (Egypt), Linnea Baney (USA), Oluwaseun Bankole (Nigeria), Alexei Belov (Russia), John Caleb (India), Pilar Cancino (Colombia), Aldo Cayuba (Costa Rica), Rocio Lizeth Carcamo Cruz (El Salvador), Gaius Danauta (Nigeria), John Das (Bangladesh), Jim Detera (Philippines), Jonathan Devadas (Malaysia), Chandra Dewanto (Indonesia), Hirokazu Enomoto (Japan), Lynn Gabriel (Philippines), Matthew Gadsden (Australia), Dunstan Albert Gamea (Papua New Guinea), Lucy Giraldo (Colombia), Surakshya Giri (Nepal), Kalyani Gudapati (India), Karel Hennhofer (Czech Republic), Kenneth Isah Igwe (Nigeria), Mariyan Ishtiaq (Pakistan), Bibiano João (Angola), Mercia Justin (India), Edward Yaw Kander (Ghana), Bhadra Bahadur Kanwar (Nepal), Gideon Kajina Kanyanda (Zambia), Patience Kasweka (Ghana), Steve Kerr (Australia), Kate Kerr (Australia), Seemab Khurram (Pakistan), Evangeline Kibirisho (Kenya), Momoko Kotera (Japan), David Kura (Nigeria), Daoud Kuttab (Jordan / Palestine), Gillian Lord (Guyana), Afodia Maaji Katungu (Nigeria), Dennis Madzora (Zimbabwe), Doreen Magboo (Philippines), Andrew Mahfouz (Egypt), Armi Martinez (Philippines), Udonu Maxwell (Nigeria), Lola Moreno (Ecuador), Stephen Mwaniki (Kenya), Donald Mqwathi (South Africa), Rose Musila (Kenya), Zachary Nathan (Malaysia), Handoko Ngadiman (Indonesia), Ruth Njoroge (Kenya), Koffi Nyamadi (Togo), James Odero (Kenya), Dimanche Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso), Pinky Patra (India), Wayne Pederson (USA), Luis Pinto (Guatemala), Rubiela Plaza (Colombia), Isaac Quino (Bolivia), Rolando Rincon (Colombia), Jacqueline Roberts (Jamaica), R’Love Rojas (Philippines), Conrado Roxas (Philippines), Reiko Saikawa (Japan), Sharoz Sajjad (Pakistan), Yu Sato (Japan), Jud Savelle (USA), Bickram Singh (Trinidad & Tobago), Samson Sudhakar (India), Erion Sylari (Albania), Tina Tang (USA), Judith Tavagwisa (Botswana), Godfred Tugbenyo (Ghana), Anteneh Tula (Ethiopia), Luis Turbi (USA), Ebere Ubesie (Nigeria), Anyanime Umoren (Nigeria), Gary Williams (Australia), Gia Valdez (USA), Londin Velasquez (Honduras), Khurram Younis (Pakistan), May Wong (Hong Kong), Norbert Woo (Hong Kong), Wilson **** (China), Chris **** (China), Xuefeng **** (China), Feng **** (China)

We have seen God grant exponential growth to the movement in response to fasting. Join us. Click to download the Global Gathering prayer schedule and run sheets to see when we are fasting.

As Esther said, “Fast for me.”  Facilitating this global movement far exceeds my ability, capacity, and resources. But I surrender everything to God at least 10 times a day with the Surrender Novena, and He continues to prove faithful.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18

“There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways. The way of life is this. First of all, you shall love the God who made you. Second, love your neighbor as yourself.b And all things you would not want done to you, do not do to another person.

Now the teaching of these words is this. Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what credit is it to you, if you love those who love you? Do the people of the nations not do the same? But you should love those who hate you, and you will not have an enemy. Abstain from the desires of the flesh and of the body….

Concerning baptism, baptize in this way. Having instructed him in all of these teachings, baptize the catechumen in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water. But if you do not have running water, then baptize in other water. And if you cannot in cold water, use warm.

But if you have neither, then pour water on the head three times, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And before the baptism, let both the baptizer and the catechumen fast, and also any others who are able. And be sure that the catechumen fasts a day or two before.

Do not let not your fasts fall on the same days as the hypocrites, for they fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Keep your fast on Wednesdays and Fridays…”

Didache 1.1-4, 2.7-8

One of my faithful readers said, “Can you give me an example of what a fast day looks like for you?” To assist him and all other readers, I go back to the Didache, the early church discipleship manual, which has helped me. Download it here.

The Scribes and Pharisees in the days of the early church, described by Jesus as hypocrites, fasted on Mondays and Thursdays. To differentiate the Christian movement from them, followers of Jesus were instructed to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

I find that fasting for a meal two days a week, generally lunch, provides margin for me to connect more closely to God. I do this when I am home and not when I am traveling. I don’t tell anyone. It is between me and God.

As a side note, the day of worship shifted from the Sabbath in the synagogue on Saturday to meeting in homes on Sunday because that was the day that Christ rose from the dead. That’s why worldwide most people have Christian worship on Sundays.

Now regarding fasting, if you feel led to explore it, pick a day or two a week to abstain from food. During the time you would eat the meal, devote yourself to prayer and the reading of Scripture. In that sense, feast on Jesus.

If you have a big activity ahead, like the example of baptism, consider following the example here of fasting a day or two before. This will help prepare your heart to get the most from God from the experience.

But don’t forget today’s Scripture. Avoid appearing as a hypocrite. Perhaps look at your calendar and choose a day that you can do it without drawing attention to yourself. Fasting is not for show but to help you grow.

Today I travel from Denver to Tokyo, Japan, where I connect to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the largest Global Gathering in the history of GTP, 134 people from 50+ countries. We include fasting in our schedule. I’ll share more about that tomorrow.

Thanks for your prayers for safe travel for me and all the participants from around the world.