“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? (NKJV)

Welcome to Day 1 of 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting! Today, we’re praying that bonds of wickedness are BROKEN (sin) (Isaiah 58:6). Notice that the last part of the verse reads, “And that you break every yoke?” A yoke is a bond or anything that holds you down that you cannot seem to break. A yoke is simply a bad habit that is hard to break. Fasting will give you the strength to break bad habits.

When I (Regina) was working in a Metro Atlanta school district, I had a terrible habit of drinking Coke Zero. I sipped one daily during my 50 minute commute to work, which started at 6:30 a.m. By 9:00 a.m., I was ready for another one. Then, I drank a Coke Zero with lunch, one in the afternoon, and of course one during my drive home. It got to the point that I would send a student to the teacher’s lounge during class to purchase a Coke Zero for me. I told the student if anyone attempts to stop you from entering the teacher’s lounge, which was off limits for students, tell them that Dr. Daigre sent you. And, she must have her Coke Zero. I felt bad about sending students to the teacher’s lounge, so I bought a refrigerator for my office, which was the size of a classroom. So, I had plenty of room for a mini refrigerator. Besides, I was an instructor in the business department. So, having refreshments was just business, so I thought.

God Will Get Your Attention

One day my Future Business Leader of America (FBLA) President got my attention. She noticed that my personality spiked while drinking the popular diet drink. In the middle of my lecture, she said, “Dr. Daigre, you don’t need that drink. You are already full of energy and the drink makes you hyperactive.” Several students agreed. After that moment, I did not have any more drinks for the remainder of the day.

Face Your Bad Habits

During my next prayer and meditation, I made a decision to stop drinking the diet drink. It was not easy because I had become dependent, more like addicted to the drink. As I purged myself from the diet drinks, I had withdrawal issues. There were also health issues as a result of over indulging in diet beverages. Constant excruciating headaches were normal for me. The headaches subsided as I broke the habit. My normal energy level returned and I felt like a new person.

As of today, I do not drink any carbonated drinks. That yoke in my life is BROKEN. But guess who had to break the yoke? I was responsible for my own actions. The verse states,

“And that you break every yoke.”

The breaking of bad habits start with us. If you are struggling with breaking bad habits, that means you need to pray and fast. Matthew 17:21 reminds us, "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." You cannot break bad habits (yokes) in your own strength, but you can break yokes in our life with the power of the Holy Spirit. Fasting will give you supernatural strength to do what you could not ordinarily do.

REFLECTION

What are you holding on to in your life that is not good for you? Over the next few days, make a list of bad sinful habits that you have. As you pray and fast, release yourself from the bondage. God wants you to enjoy the abundant life but you have to choose for yourself.

SAY PRAYER OUT LOUD

Father, I agree that this is the fast that you have chosen for me. I bring my bad habits and addictions to you. I loose myself from (name your habits and addictions) and declare that the power of dependency of these habits are BROKEN, ANNIHILATED, and DESTROYED in my life in the name of Jesus. I am free because who the Son sets free is free indeed. I am no longer entangled (Galatians 5:1) to the yoke of (name your habits and addictions) in the name of Jesus. I loose my mind, will, and emotions from every part of this yoke in the name of Jesus. I am free. I desire God more than my bad habits and addictions.

Throughout the day, continue to praise God for the breakthrough. Thank Him that you are free indeed.

~Inspiring hope & seasoning faith, Dr. Regina Daigre