Worship Confessional: Fasting As Worship

I’m almost ashamed to say that I’ve never truly fasted. I’ve fasted “things” or “distractions” in my life…but never a true fast (food).

Up until this week.

Now I’m not bragging about my fast or trying to glorify MY attempt to fast, but merely sharing how wonderful it was to fast, pray, and worship with about 10 other guys for 3 days. We headed out to a secluded, rural camp and got away from our busy lives from Sunday until Wednesday morning.

The video below is just one quick “slice” of what I was doing during that fast.

Worship Confessional from the Woods from Russ Hutto on Vimeo.

As a worship leader, from now until my end here on earth, I will NOT miss an opportunity to join with these amazing brothers in Christ and fast, pray, worship and speak into each others’ lives. I received such clarity and edification through our prayers and worship. The wisdom that flowed from these men of God was like gold. I really felt so encouraged and empowered.

I haven’t experienced such a breakthrough in MANY years.

If you’re a worship leader and you’ve never done something like this, please consider it…even if it’s only a full day of solitude away from everything. I didn’t understand the awesome dynamic of how creating a weakened physical state could usher in such a spiritual strength in such a short period. I do now. It’s not that you become some super-Christian after not eating a few meals…it’s that you exchange a natural hunger for an increasing spiritual hunger. The Holy Spirit is the strength when you intentionally weaken yourself through fasting.

My confessional (if you will) is that our “setlist” included:

• Fasting
• Praying
• Worshiping
• Encouraging
• Sharpening

ALL TOGETHER. What a wonderful way to start the year.

Now, I have a hunger to incorporate individual fasting into my lifestyle as the year goes on. Not sure how that will work, but I’m hooked.