Editor's Note

I'm a news junkie. I like knowing what's going on in the world.

But a drawback came several years ago when I found myself feeling more irritable, frustrated, and discouraged after I listened to the news. Slowly I realized that there was a correlation between my listening to the news and my emotional state.

As I thought and prayed about it, I felt God calling me to give up the news, and devote that time to prayer.

It was tough to go cold turkey! But that fast allowed me to clear my mind and emotions, to focus on the hope of Christ rather than the hopelessness of the world.

Once the fast was over, I was excited to go back to the news, but now was grateful it didn't hold quite the control over me any longer.

I've often fasted from food and other things during different seasons of my life and for numerous reasons. And I've been amazed each time by how much more clearly I hear God's voice and direction. For me, fasting feels like prayer on steroids.

In this issue we focus on the freedom and power of fasting. Why we fast, when not to fast, and the rewards when we do. I hope throughout these pages you'll become better able to taste and see the goodness of God.

Read more articles that highlight writing by Christian women at ChristianityToday.com/Women