It was a gift to experience a 44-hour prayer fast recently on Praise Mountain in the Rockies. No, this isn’t a blog entry to make you feel guilty about not fasting. Trust me, I am a lowly white belt in the spiritual discipline. And some of you know that Jesus instructs us to fast in secret. So, why am I writing about it?
The hope is that the photographs and slivers of my experience will open you up to the possibility of trying it–that is, if you haven’t already or if it has been a long time ago. Turn off your cell phone, TV, and other sound bombardiers. If possible, get alone somewhere from your usual environment. Even an empty church classroom or a parked car for a half a day can become a personal retreat. At least, just one time, make prayer under a liquid fast a priority in a busy life. Someone, who loves you very much, wants special time with you. Don’t be anxious or afraid. He meets you exactly where you are. Be patient with yourself. It might take time to settle down.
I had no agenda for my fast except the expectation that I would receive a word
–one special insight. I selected about 30 books to take to Praise Mountain, and they were one reason I felt tired unloading the car at 9000-feet altitude. The Esther Cabin was spacious and more than adequate. I made up a bed, put drinks in the refrigerator, and spread out a bibliophile’s tools on the table. Much of the time I used the Bible and other books. I read for pleasure and meditation. I wrote and prayed. I bounced between two comfy sofas and a 
kitchen chair. Often, the tea kettle whistled. It was all good, but not soul-shaking.
There are 110 acres to explore at Praise Mountain, shared with llamas, horses, and deer. On my first
walk in the late afternoon I was drawn to “look down, draw close.” Fall’s peak week had past, yet the effortless wonders of nature boggled the mind.
“Look down. Draw close.”
After a good sleep in a very quiet and dark room, I did a Bible study on the word “rock.” After all, Praise Mountain is rock. Then I took a walk to the chapel. Below is the sign in front of the building!
Inside the chapel was an old piano. I hadn’t
played for six years, but now was an hour of joyful racket, and even an original tune. Opening up a coffee-stained praise booklet I found Let’s Go Take This City. How coincidental to stumble upon this unfamiliar song just as my faith community had completed a weekend emphasis on city missions.
Near the chapel were prayer caves. Think Gethsemane and Desert Fathers. 
I wasn’t planning on going into one, especially after opening the door. Dark and rustic are words that come to mind. True confession: I used my iPhone’s flashlight to check out the corners. The candles drew me. I lit them, locked the door, and sat on a wooden bench. Here was my epiphany, which is too personal to share. It was powerful and so creatively given through the candle arrangement that I didn’t doubt it was God’s word to me.
“Look Inside. Light Candles. Sit Down.”
Both nights I forced myself to go out into the darkness and view the stars. It was chilly, and I couldn’t shake the thought that some sneaky beast prowled the forest desiring a tasty city slicker. Yet, oh the beauty displayed in the Milky Way and a thousand other stars!
“Look up. Search wide.”
No place is perfect. For me it was the flies. I killed quite a few with a swatter–retribution on the little demons for distracting tranquil moments. Here was
God’s joke on the subject. In the cabin were many Christian books, dvds, and magazines. On an end table I noticed several issues of Billy Graham’s Decision magazine. I didn’t even know it still existed! I randomly picked up the July issue and opened it to an article entitled “How To Attract Flies.” Yes, ha, ha. The article was a good study of 1 Peter 3:8: “…be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” Writer Skip Heitzig used Ben Franklin’s quote “you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar” to emphasize that a follower of Jesus should match the walk with the talk.
My final morning was a time of gratefulness and the business of breaking camp. I drove down Praise Mountain and out of the Rocky Mountains refreshed. Quickly back into life’s busyness, I filed away this fasting time as one more reminder of what should daily remain important.
