In January of this year, after we had completed our 14 day fast. The Holy Spirit had placed in my heart the need to pray for our mid-year fast. Of course it was six months away but it was with no delay that I began to uphold in prayer what we would be required to do prior to ushering us into the remaining six months of the year 2023.

We read in (Proverbs 16:9) “ We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. I could only pray and wait for the directives as to what we would do and how we are to proceed with the desire that we wait on God. I have realised on many occasions that it’s not worth my time trying to curate my plans and then asking God to come and take the helm of it. It is best that He is leading from the get-go.

Often times we have curated our own methods and way of fasting without consulting God, we can become comfortable with doing things we have always been doing as it keeps us in the element of control. I dare not say, I have perfected my craft in fasting, but I do like the idea of zoning outside and I do have a spiritual spontaneity when it comes to trying something different as it challenges me to elevate my level of spiritual fitness too.

Although one of the biggest lessons I have had to learn from fasting is – I do not have a say to how it has to go and what happens within the fasting period. The only thing I have is to say YES and follow the Holy Spirit through my obedience.

Since my first experience of group fast back in 2020 I began to witness a lot of positive changes to my life through my routine, my mothering and also my personal relationship with God and in being intentional this experience fuelled me to propel myself further with ensuring that I continue to grow from the ground up instead of remaining stagnant.

I know what it’s like to be stagnant. The stagnating season has you cultivating withdrawal symptoms and can delay you from getting ahead. I know the feeling of being stuck in a rut, no room for growth and no sign of progress? That is why personal responsibility for fasting is also essential. You have to learn to do your part and not expect a group event of fast to help you achieve what only God can do when you desire to work in partnership with Him. I have learnt that it is not a comfortable position to be in when you know you have outgrown a particular season.

For me personally, I still enjoy my personal fast as it allows me to keep in step with what Gods Holy Spirit prompts me to do. Although I am a leader, my personal altar will be determined when I am around other women. I would rather have a flame then expect the group to give me my flame, in other words as a leader you are expected to be burning spiritually. As much as leading a group paved way for more spiritual growth, it does not determine your personal life in which it requires a partnership with God to help you achieve what He has purposed for you.

You can only be a powerful influence unless God is influencing you.

Carolyne Qoriniasi.

In April we prayed and thanked God for clarity for our mid year Fast and as June came we proceeded with the Fast from the first to the seventh day allocating twelve hours of our day to waiting on God. This was difficult when our families were enjoying yummy summer foods and BBQ or fancy meals we toiled on with expectancy to see what Gods will is concerning our little group and sought God for our next. This mid year fast was so needed and the ladies returned affirming that God was evident through out the seven day period through scriptural revelation and people they met and conversed with, even during their personal prayer times.

As a small group we rallied with prayers in the day, taking turns to pray in our prayer altars, until we concluded in the evenings. On the fourth day of fast I was led to read (Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT) “Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you, Mark out a straight path for your feet and stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil”. It is tempting to think that during fast our desire is to get our agenda across to God instead of allowing him to align us to his will. In this case it was as if God was reminding me that the preparation for my next requires me to stay the straight path and to keep the focus on Him always.

It was a joy to come together as a unified body of Christ and seek God through fasting, might i add, as a group of ladies, we represent different denominations and God has revealed to us through our journey of Faith that there is power in unity (2 Corinthians 3:17) ‘Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom’. Bearing in mind, that when we come together cultivating the unity that provides us an opportunity to be apart of something greater than ourselves, identifying the spiritual gifts we have and sharing with eachother how we can use our gifts to edify the wider body of Christ which is His church.

Yet whilst we do enjoy coming together to read Gods Word, study together & pray together. We do have some good banter and share moments of sadness or happy experiences, (we are friends who have now become sisters because of Faith in Jesus Christ). Through it all, we do not forget that God has positioned us, to not just be comfortable where we are; but more so to be equipped for uncomfortable places, in which through us God has been Glorified.

As we now flow into the remaining months of the year, I am already praying for the next and seeking God for what He has inspired our little circle of sisters to do. While I remain in Him I am choosing to abide in Him. After all, He is my help, my stay and my strength.

In Gods embrace,

Carolyne