How to fast

There is a story in 2 Chronicles 20 about king Jehoshaphat. Enemies were coming to attack the kingdom of Judah, his kingdom. Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast for the whole kingdom. I'm sure everyone didn't do it, but he and the faithful did. They were going to ask God what to do, they wanted to make sure that they were in a very spiritual state. Then Jehoshaphat says this," If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us."He is telling God that if he just sits there and accepts what ever happens, he will still call out on God. But God tells him this," Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s...You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you." God is telling them, you do your part, go out and stand firm for what you believe, and He will take care of the rest. And He did. Jehoshaphat knew that he had to do his part though. There is a story in Ezra where the people of God are returning from exile to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. It's a dangerous journey, but this is what Ezra does," 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." Fasting is a way of humbling yourself before God. 2 Chronicle 7:14 says," if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." All we need to do is humble ourselves, and ask. This is a part of worship too. Fasting isn't an everyday thing, obviously, but it's used when you want some super-duper supernatural results.
And how are we supposed to fast? Jesus said in Matthew 6:16-18," 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." I've seen lots of people fast. I know, the way Jesus describes it, you're not supposed to know. Even if they try to do it the way Jesus says to, if they see food, they are like a vampire who sees a cross. "Oh no! Keep that away from me!" Then I read Isaiah 58," Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." Devoting time to fasting and prayer isn't for getting other peoples attention, it's for getting God's attention. No one needs to know what's going on but Him. The reason that I am writing this is 1) To teach what I have learned from the bible on this subject, because 2) Texas Governor Rick Perry has proclaimed a day of humbling yourself in fasting and prayer. I think that is very cool. He will be having an event in Houston, and Pastor Joel Osteen, from Houston, will be having an event here in Chicago. We (New Wine praise and worship) will not be attending either event, but we will "take up our positions" and agree with these men of God that the Lord will indeed heal our land. He is the God of this city!!