Today starts my church's 40 days of prayer and fasting ending on Easter Sunday.
Our theme this year is 'Just what the doctor ordered: A walk through the book of Luke'.
Sunday we read through Isaiah 58-True Fasting. We also touched on 7 reasons to fast. After the sermon, our pastor challenged us to give up something for the 40 days. For some that might be a meal, for others it could be something material, for others it could be something that they've been meaning to give up. Along with giving up something, we're also asked to add something to our lives-something to make it better.
This year, I am giving up soda (that stuff is way too addicting) and yelling at my children. I am adding to my life, healthy eating, exercise, daily devotions and learning to deal with my kids in a calm, Biblical manner.
I am the kind of person who instantly resorts to yelling-it's not pretty and something I'm very aware that I do way.too.much. WAY.TOO.MUCH. My kids seem to think that unless I yell, I don't really want them to listen. It drives me crazy, lol.
So for the next 40 days, I'm becoming spiritually, emotionally and physically healthier. I'm going to work on my relationship with God and with my kids. We've already discussed how mom wants to stop yelling at them. They are aware that it will take a lot for me to do this and I might mess up and will need their forgiveness. I've also challenged them to give up something, too. They're still thinking about that. Together we'll work on these 40 days together.
In the end, my prayer is for us to learn to put God first and all the other pieces will fall into place.
