Fasting

ARE YOU CALLED TO FAST?

“When you fasted and mourned … was it actually for Me that you fasted?”

Zechariah 7:5

“… they were ministering to the Lord and fasting”

Acts 13:2

When exercised with a pure heart and a right motive, fasting may provide us with a key to unlock doors where other keys have failed; a window opening up new horizons; a spiritual weapon of God’s provision, “Mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” II Corinthians 10:4

In Isaiah 58, the class scriptural example on the subject, God reminds His people that the acceptable fast is the one which He has chosen. It must be God-initiated and God-ordained to be effective.

JESUS’ STATEMENTS ON FASTING

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to me to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6: 16

“Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matthew 9: 14-15

PURPOSES OF FASTING

It is a Biblical way to truly humble oneself in the sight of God. (Psalm 35:13 Ezra 8:21)

It brings revelation by the Holy Spirit of a person’s true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance and change.

We fast so that our prayers are heard on high. “So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listed to our entreaty.” Ezra 8: 23. Fasting is calculated to give an edge to intercession. Heaven is ready to bend its ear to listen when someone prays with fasting and humility. Joel 2: 12-13

We fast to invoke God’s mercy. “Then the people of Nineveh believed in God and they called a fast. … When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He declared He would bring upon them.” Jonah 3: 5, 10

We fast to free the captives. “Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?” Isaiah 58: 6. Isaiah 58 is the chapter often referred to as God’s chosen fast. Review the entire passage to see what God requires before we can be called “repairers of the breach”.

We fast for revelation. Daniel 9: 3, 21, 22

We fast to buffet the body. I Corinthians 9:27

Some quotes from Christians leaders about Fasting

“Fasting burns out our selfishness. In fasting we willingly submit to the caldron of renunciation as we give up one of life’s greatest pleasures. Fasting is the foundry in which we are purified. Its fires refine our faith; its flames separate the base impurities from our true character in Christ’ its hot blasts purify our hearts.”

Lee Bueno

The apostle Paul, who said he was “in fasting often” (2 Corin. 11:27) also said, “I discipline my body and bring it under subjection.”

“Eating is the granddaddy of all appetites. Fasting is a commitment to bring about self-control and overcome every other conceivable temptation.” Neil Anderson

Fasting is “a tremendous lesson in establishing who is the master and who is the servant. Remember, your body is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.” Derek Prince.

“Our seasons of fasting and prayer at the Tabernacle have been high days indeed; never has Heaven’s gate stood wider; never have our hearts been nearer the central Glory.”

Charles Spurgeon

“As fasting and prayer brings surrender of body, soul and spirit to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, it also generates a heightened sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit; it creates a fresh clean joy and a restored determination to serve God. In short, it brings personal revival. Our spiritual power does not lie in money, genius, anointed plans or dedicated work. Rather, power for spiritual conquest comes from the Holy Spirit as people seek God’s face in consecrated, diligent prayer and fasting.” Bill Bright

“The group fast can be a wonderful and powerful experience provided there is a prepared people who are of one mind in these matters. Serious problems in churches or other groups can be dealt with and relationships healed through unified group fasting and prayer.” Richard Foster

Visit the Prayer and Fasting website for more information.