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Overpromising? We'll see. . . .

by Paul Mastin

August 31, 2011

Stovall Weems, pastor of a large multi-campus church based in Florida, believes there is a key to having a "life fully awakened to God at all times." We should aim to "live life as God intended it to be lived--fully awake, fully alive, and walking in a continual state of freshness and newness before God!" I don't know about you, but my walk with God has not been marked by freshness and newness. Sure, there have been moments, but they are few and far between. I don't mean to belittle those times of increased intimacy with God or awareness of his active presence in my life, but most of the time I'm left dry and feeling distance from God.

So what is the key? For Weems, it's fasting. He has led his church in Awakenings, 21-day periods of fasting and focusing on God. This book is part inspiration, but mostly it's a handbook for having an Awakening of your own. While I can't really disagree with anything he says here, it seems like he's oversimplifying and overpromising. However, I should say that I'm writing this before actually going through the 21-day fast.

The second, and more important, part of the book is a guide for the 21-day fast. Each day he includes a short selection to read, a scripture passage to read, suggestions for prayer focus, and some space to write down reflections. I can't help but think that if one were to follow this plan consistently and intentionally, one would certainly be drawn closer to God. Plus, as Weems points out, after 21 days, habits begin to form, and the faster's devotional life might be moved up a notch.

So my preliminary evaluation is a little bit skeptical, but hopeful that at least some of what he talks about here will be available to me. My plan is to start up the fast next Tuesday (after a weekend at Mom's--I can't fast when she's cooking!). I'll check in after the 21 days and let you know how it goes. . . .

(I received this book for free from Waterbrook/Multnomah in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks!)