The Gift of Wednesday’s

As parent’s we know how much we love our children and desire the best for them.

In this extra podcast I have recorded a quick message on the power of praying and fasting for your children. You can check out the recording here:

In the podcast, I refer to two books:

1. Fasting: Spiritual Freedom Beyond our Appetities by Lynne M. Baab (https://amzn.to/42oLdDA)

2. Love on Its Knees: Make a Difference by Praying for Others by Dick Eastman (https://amzn.to/3TwbRGF)

Apart from sharing from Lynne’s book and sharing some of my thoughts, I read the following section for Love On It’s Knees. I’m including it here for you to read to encourage you to pray and fast for your family, but also to look at the process that Dick went through as he talked with God about what God was saying to him.

The Gift of Wednesdays

“Have you ever considered giving a loved one the gift of fasting?

Just before Christmas seven years ago, I asked God to show me what I could give our two daughters, Dena and Ginger, for Christmas. “A gift, Lord, that will touch them for the rest of their lives.”

What a strange prayer! It was almost as if it had not come from me at all but from God Himself. What could I possibly give two teenagers that would touch them every day of their lives?

Then I heard a distinct question whispered in my heart: Are you willing to give your daughters a year of Wednesdays?

I was baffled. Did God want me to cancel my schedule for every Wednesday during the coming year so I could spend more time with the girls? I knew the idea was impractical. On many Wednesdays I would be out of town in ministry. On others the girls would have school activities.

Then I seemed to hear a further clarifying question. Could you set aside every Wednesday as a time of fasting for your two daughters?

I went numb. “O Lord, I could never do that!”

Why? came the gentle response.

“For one thing,” my heart answered, “I’d forget.”

Not if you mark every Wednesday on your calendar as fast, the Lord suggested. During the day when you’d normally be having a meal, you could pray.

“But there’s another reason I couldn’t fast like that,” I added hastily. “I really, sincerely don’t want to, Lord!” And I chuckled.

But I knew God had talked to me. Come, He was saying. LEt me teach you a way of prayer you have never known.

So I said yes to Christ that day seven years ago. As the weeks passed a new habit was formed , one that continues to this day. I am convinced that our daughters have had a spiritual hedge about them as they encountered the personal problems of youth.

And I am convinced that the greatest single help in building that hedge was the Lord’s suggestion that I give your children the gift of Wednesdays.” (p86.87)

Maybe God is calling you to pray and fast for your children, grandchildren, brothers, systems, parents, nieces, nephews etc for one day a week. If it is, let us know and we can pray for you as you do this.

It would also be great to hear how God answers those prayers as well.