What Fasting is
Simply put, fasting is refraining from something for a spiritual purpose– most traditionally food.
Fasting is worship
Fasting is a spiritual discipline
Fasting is a statement to God
What Fasting is not
A way to manipulate God
A way to appear righteous to others
A weight loss scheme
What Fasting does
Fasting unclutters your spirit with the things of this world, and raises your sensitivity to the things of God.
It re-focuses you, opens your spirit, and can have awesome results in 9 different areas:
Strength to stand against sin (Matt. 17:20,21)
Help in time of problems or threatening situations (Ezra 8:21-23)
Revival in the church and evangelism for the unsaved (1Sam. 7:1-8)
Emotional healing and overcoming destructive habits (1 Kings 19:2-18)
To provide for the needy (1 Kings 17:12)
Health and physical healing (Daniel 1:12-20)
An influential testimony (Matt. 3:4, Luke 1:15)
Protection and deliverance from evil (Esther 4:16)
Insight and decision making (Acts 9:9-19)
Fasting brings breakthrough.
We have all heard this scripture – heard it preached, taught, talked about…we believe this is for the church in the last days…
Joel 2:28
28 "And it will come about after this
That I will pour out My
Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and daughters will prophesy,
Your old men will dream dreams,
Your young men will see visions.
But what brought on the spiritual breakthrough?
What is the “after this?” After what?
Look a few verses back:
Joel 2:12-13
12 "Yet even now," declares the LORD,
"Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping, and mourning;
13 And rend your heart and not your garments.
"Now return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness,
And relenting of evil.
Joel 2:15-16
15 Blow a trumpet in Zion,
Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly,
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,
The spiritual breakthrough came as a result of the people humbling themselves and seeking the Lord.
Fasting brings victory.
2 Chron 20:1-4
20:1 Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, came to make war against Jehoshaphat….And Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD; and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD
2 Chron 20:14-19
14 Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, …and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's. 16'Tomorrow go down against them. …17'You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you. " 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19 And the Levites… stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
End result – Lord wiped out the enemy army before they even got there.
Fasting brings spiritual stamina.
Lou Engle from the Call states that he believes that fasting helps us outlast the enemy – that he attacks in seasons only for a period of time – when we extend our fasts, it gives us the power to outlast the enemy.
Types of Fasting
There are many different kinds of fasts – here are the basic 3:
Absolute – Extreme, and should only be done for short periods of time. You take in nothing – no food, no water. Should be called to do it, should be done with supervision.
Normal – No food for any number of days. Drink water and fluids – plenty of it.
Partial – involves giving up a particular food or drink for a time. Most common – the Daniel fast – no meat, no sweets, no strong drink (no caffine)
Suggestions for Fasting
Start small – Don’t start with more than you can handle
Make it mean something, or don’t do it – why are you fasting?
Plan your commitment to the fast – how long, from what, what time devoted to God
Prepare spiritually – pray about it, get in the right frame of mind and spirit
Prepare physically – don’t rush into it, cut back your diet before hand
Expect awesome results – Let God do what He wants to do in you.
Need a good fasting resource? Check out Jentzen Franklin's new book, Fasting.
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