Radical Dependency Can Increase the Sense of God's Presence

Monroe

One of my heroes was Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (now called Cru, which feels a little weird for me, yet I do understand that the word "crusade" is a turn-off for some). It was through CCC that I met Jesus. For that I remain forever grateful.

In 1994 God gave Bill a sense of urgency to fast and pray for our country. This sacred moment led him to respond by fasting from solid food for 40 days. Years after he did this I read the account of what happened, both within him and without. (The Coming Revival: America's Call to Fast, Pray, and "Seek God's Face")

In a little booklet, 7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer, Bill wrote:

"As I began my fast, I was not sure I could contiue for forty days. But my confidence was in the Lord to help me. Each day His presence encouraged me to continue. The longer I fasted, the more I sensed the presence of the Lord. The Holy Spirit refreshed my soul and spirit, and I experienced the joy of the Lord as seldom before. Biblical truths leaped at me from the pages of God's Word. My faith soared as I humbled myself and cried out to God and rejoiced in His presence." (5)

I've heard from others, and experienced myself, that during times of fasting and praying the sense of God's presence increases. One reason this happens is because our dependency on God is more radical as our dependency on food decreases.

(Note: biblically, most fasts lasted a half day or a day. 40-day fasts are the biblical exception.)