Biblical references to the
spiritual discipline of fasting describe a practice of abstaining from food for
a specified period of time. Fasting is a time of bringing the body under the
control of the Holy Spirit on a consistent basis. Instead of receiving the physical
gratification of food and various other activities, we become very aware of the
substance and power of the Holy Spirit. We do not fast to impress God or to
change Him, because we cannot. Instead, our purpose is to focus our attention
on Him as the only Source of all of our needs.
While there are many types of
fasts, abstaining from certain activities and entertainment (e.g. secular TV
shows, etc.) is not a biblical fast; abstaining from those things are a part of
what we do when we fast. It’s like
swimming while fully clothed. You’re in
the water, stroking, weighted down but you’re not getting the full effect.
What do I do if I cannot fast
because of health conditions? Don’t beat
yourself up; God knows your heart and you do your best by abstaining from –
what would be a huge sacrifice; juice?
Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us for our
daily lives. Through fasting, you can experience spiritual renewal,
supernatural healing, a release from the bondage of sin, restoration in your relationships,
financial blessings, and so much more!
Benefits of Fasting
1.
Improves your ability to hear from God (Ezra 8:21 - Then I
proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves
before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and
all our possessions.)
2.
Builds you up spiritually (Matthew 4:2, 23, 24 - 2 And when He
had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 23 And
Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the
gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of
disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all
Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various
diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and
paralytics; and He healed them.)
3.
Lifts oppression and breaks demonic powers (Mark 9:29 -- So He said
to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer
and fasting, Isaiah 58:6-8 – 6 “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? 7 Is it not to share your
bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast
out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from
your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the
morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall
go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.)
4.
Leads you into a time of humility and repentance (Psalm 109:22-26 – 22
For I am
poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me. 23 I am gone
like a shadow when it lengthens;
I am shaken off like a locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting, And my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness. 25 I also have become a reproach to them; When they look at me, they shake their heads. 26 Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to your mercy.)
I am shaken off like a locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting, And my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness. 25 I also have become a reproach to them; When they look at me, they shake their heads. 26 Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to your mercy.)
5.
Causes health to spring forth speedily (Isaiah 58:8 -- Then your
light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring
forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be
your rear guard.)
Individual Fasting
An individual fasting independent of others. You may decide to fast once a week on a
certain day or several consecutive days (e.g. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
straight through with no break, or for three days starting and stopping at a
specific time. Pray and seek God for
direction regarding the type of fast you should choose. Ask the Lord to show
you areas to target during your time of prayer and fasting. Do you need direction, healing, restoration of
marriage, peace, etc.? Seek God’s guidance and His Word regarding these
situations.
Corporate Fasting
A corporate fast is generally
called by someone in a leadership position of a denomination (Pastor, Bishop,
Elder) for a specific purpose (e.g. supernatural healing, revival services,
etc.). It is highly unlikely that a
layperson would call a corporate fast unless it was approved by the primary
leader (Pastor, etc.). The primary
leader is responsible for the members’ spiritual growth, etc. and serves as the
watchmen that God has designated over the members. Just like a parent who watches over his
family.
Psalm
133:1-3 The Lord commands the blessing: Behold, how
good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity! It
is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of
Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon
the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.
Life forevermore.
Acts: 13:1-3: Corporate prayer
was practiced throughout the Bible. In this text we see the Holy Spirit giving
direction as they gave themselves in fasting and praying: As they ministered to the Lord
and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the
work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid
hands on them, they sent them
away.
In 2 Chronicles 20 (entire
chapter), King Jehoshaphat, overwhelmed by an invasion, called the people
to fast and pray. This corporate prayer and fasting resulted in Judah’s victory
over their enemy – without a fight! They
never picked up a weapon – that’s an example of the supernatural. If God fought for them, He will fight for us
too.
In Ezra, 8:21 and 23, Ezra called a time of corporate prayer and
fasting to seek God’s wisdom and protection. “Then
I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might fast before our
God to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our
substance… so we fasted and besought our God for this: and He answered all our
prayers.”
What to Expect When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your
system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability,
particularly during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you
will have hunger pains. Limit your
physical activity and exercise.
Disclaimer: Some people
should not fast without professional supervision. They include: women who are
pregnant or nursing; individuals who take insulin, or who suffer from any other
blood sugar condition such as hypoglycemia; persons who have tumors, bleeding
ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, heart disease, etc.
In His Humble Service,
Tania
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