For years I had experienced a growing awareness of the moral and spiritual decadence of our country. Then, for several months I had a growing conviction that God wanted me to fast and pray 40 days for a revival in America and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Since I became a Christian in 1945, I had fasted many times for a day or a week's duration. Once I spent four weeks combining a weight-loss diet with spiritual fasting, but I had never approached anything that resembled a full-fledged fast for 40 days.

At first I questioned God's call. This was a long time to go without solid food. But with each passing day, His call grew stronger and more clear.

I examined my calendar, canceled several engagements and cut back on other activities wherever possible. I sought information from medical doctors and Christian leaders to prepare myself. I found only two people who had fasted for 40 days.

When I couldn't find material on how to conduct such an extended fast, I sought the Lord's wisdom. "I don't want to destroy Your temple," I said. "Please help me!"

As I began my fast, I was still not sure I could last. But each day the Lord's presence encouraged me to continue. The longer I fasted, the more I sensed the presence of the Lord. The Holy Spirit refreshed my soul and spirit as never before. Biblical truths leaped at me from the pages of God's Word. My faith soared as I cried out to God and rejoiced in His presence. Arthritic pains in my thumb and fingers were greatly lessened after 21 days of fasting. From the first day, I did not require my usual antacid tablets to ease stomach discomfort from my hiatal hernia.

Early one morning after three weeks of fasting, I received the assurance from God that He would visit America in transforming, revival power. I found myself overcome with tears of gratitude. Anxious to share my excitement, I awakened my wife, Vonette, and told her that God had not yet turned away from America. We fell to our knees, weeping for joy together.

Later, as I knelt before the Lord, I was sobered by he conditions placed on God's promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to send revival. I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me that millions of believers must seek God with all of their hearts in fasting and prayer before He will intervene to save America.

On the 29th day of my fast, while reading 2 Chronicles 28-30, I was reminded that King Hezekiah reopened and cleansed the temple, which his wicked father, King Ahaz, had nailed shut. Then he sent letters throughout Judah and Israel, calling all true worshipers of God to come to Jerusalem for the annual Passover celebration. God heard their prayer, and His favor returned to Israel that day.

I knew I had to do all that I could to relay this to the Christian world. I felt strongly impressed to write letters to several hundred Christians in the country, inviting them to Orlando, Fla., to join us December 5-7, 1994, to fast and pray. I was confident that as we met together, the Holy Spirit would visit us, and that those who attended would return to their radio and television programs, their pulpits, and various publications to spread the news of this fresh call of God to revival. (God moved far beyond my expectations a more than 600 came to fast and pray, and He truly met with us in life-changing ways.)

Buoyed by the remarkable response of so many Christian leaders, I sensed God leading me to write a book to further accelerate the coming revival. Because there are so few good books on spiritual fasting, I felt that this book was greatly needed.

Two weeks before the end of my fast, Vonette felt led of the Lord to join me. I can't tell you what that meant to me. Her decision to fast on this occasion brought us together in an even more meaningful way. We drank our water and fruit juices, seeking His face as a couple, listening to what He might be saying to either of us.

I am absolutely convinced that if believers truly love God, trust His promises and obey His commands, He will fight our battles for us and once again we will be a nation under the rule of God.