"Fasting" by Jentezen Franklin is a great primer on the subject!

As I have previously written, God is leading me on a journey through the spiritual discipline of fasting.  As I have experimented with various ways of fasting, times to fast, etc., I have read some of the subject.  Recently, I felt it was time to lead our congregation in the practice of fasting as well, teaching our members to fast privately, as well as corporately.  I discovered, though, that there are very few effective resources designed to teach fasting to groups.  Since we use video-based teaching series in our small groups, I was amazed at the lack of resources on video for any group setting.  When I found one decent video-based study, I hoped it would be good!  It was.

Jentezen Franklin is a pentecostal preacher in Georgia.  He regularly leads his churches in fasts of twenty-one days at the beginning of every year.  Through his television ministry, he has encouraged thousands to follow.  A few years ago he published a hard-cover book, journal, study guide and DVD for those who follow him at a distance.  I purchased a copy of each and was pleasantly surprised.

I have been trained to be wary of pentecostal preachers.  I have been warned of their tendency towards emotionalism, to putting too much emphasis on speaking in tongues, and especially their current abuse of God's blessings, especially in the area of desiring prosperity (sometimes more than God himself).  Of course, wisdom reminds us that the headlines only tell about the most radical in any group, those who over-emphasize any teaching to the point of abuse.  Franklin, however, is a gem in the pentecostal tradition.  If you are wondering what fasting is all about, read his book!  You can get it here. "Fasting" is a book for those who want to know more about fasting, but are weary of radicalism from either end of the spectrum.

I appreciate that Franklin comes from the old revivalist tradition within pentecostalism.  He teaches that fasting is a door to a deeper relationship with God.  He emphasizing seeking the Giver of gifts and blessings more than the gifts and blessings themselves.  His sections on the sanctification of one's life by way of consecrating everything to Christ would make many Nazarene preachers proud!

While reading a description of the book, you might be thinking that at 237 pages it will be a little too technical.  It is not.  It is a small book, comprised of 17 short chapters.  Check it out!  You will learn a few things about fasting and you will be encouraged to try it out!