Consecration, prayer, and fasting—I can’t think of a better way to start the year. Hungry and headaches—I can’t think of a worse way to start the year.

To fast or not to fast, that’s the dilemma.

Our church in Manila starts every year with a seven-day fast. Nothing like being in morning, noon, and night prayer meetings with thousands of Filipinos who are hungry (for God!). The corporate passion kinda rubs off on you.

That Manila fasting week is always one of my least favorite and most favorite weeks of the year—because I hate fasting, but I love the benefits of fasting.

A few years ago, I wrote about the benefits of fasting in an Evangelicals Today magazine article called, “Freedom from the Stomach God” listing seven spiritual benefits of fasting.

– If you live in Manila, I hope you join Victory’s annual week of consecration, prayer, and fasting—January 9–15. Morning, noon, and evening prayer meetings will be held in Victory Centers all over “Mega-Manila.”
– If you are in Nashville, I hope you participate in Bethel’s prayer and fasting next week.
– If you work at the Every Nation Nashville office, you are invited (along with your family) to pray with us Monday–Friday (January 5–9) at 8:00–9:00 a.m., 12:00–1:00 p.m., and 4:00–5:00 p.m. at the conference room at the EN office.

And, if you are not in Manila or Nash, I hope you will start the new year with a season of consecration, prayer, and fasting. I know you will be glad you did.

Warning: more fasting blogs coming soon. . .

***same post on accidental missionary***