Fasting & Prayer

FASTING AND PRAYER (Excerpt from Elizabeth Alves, book, ‘The Mighty Warrior’.

Fasting—our cutting edge—is most often done in secret and coupled with prayer. More than just abstaining from food, it is an act of self-denial for higher purposes. It is important to check your motives and heart attitudes with the Lord before you determine to pray with fasting.
(Matthew 6:16-18)

Notice that Jesus did not say 'if' you fast, but 'when' you fast, so He expected Christians to use that discipline in their prayer lives.

What is FASTING? It is the voluntarily and deliberately abstinence from food for the purpose of concentrated prayer. Jesus dealt with our motives for fasting and said we should never fast to impress others.

Being full of the Holy Spirit does not necessarily mean you walk in the power of the Spirit. One way into power is fasting and prayer (Luke 4:1,2,14), which makes you much more spiritually sensitive to the Word of God and hearing His voice. This sensitivity causes more power in your life to combat the forces of Satan.

When the bridegroom is taken away the disciples fast (Matthew 9:14,15); it is a spiritual discipline (2 Corinthians 6:5). Fasting is a means of gaining direction from the Holy Spirit to gain clarity of mind and spirit. (Acts 13:1-3).

There is probably more accomplished in fasting that we will know before we get to heaven.
(Isaiah 58:6; Joel 1:14).

Why pray with FASTING?
- Jesus set an example by spending 40 days fasting in the desert (Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2).
- As a freewill offering to the Father, it pleases Him (1 Samuel 7:5,6; Acts 14:23).
- It produces a spiritual & physical discipline (Luke 2:36,37; 1 Corinthians 9:26,27).
- It keeps you from God's judgements (Joel 2:12-14; Johah 3:5-8).
- It manifests concern for family, church, community and country
(2 Samuel 1:12; 12:16; Ezra 8:21; Esther 4:3,16; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 9:15,
Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35).

There are benefits from FASTING:
- Strengthens and implements prayer (Acts 10:30,31).
- Brings blessings of obedience (Matthew 6:6,16).
- Brings humility through repentance (Nehemiah 9:1-3).
- Gives revelation of God's way and will for your future (Daniel 9).
- Establishes authority and power in prayer and spiritual warfare (Matthew 4:1-11).

Fasting brings great victories. Example: King Jehoshophat called a national fast against invading armies, and the enemies killed each other (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).

Fasting gives you a proper mental attitude: You should not view fasting as punishment, even though your body may rebel at first.

FASTING SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A PRECIOUS OPPORTUNITY TO GET CLOSER TO THE LORD, not distracted by the daily focus of eating. God responds to your sincerity when you willingly humble yourself.

WAYS TO FAST

Twenty-four hour fast. From sunset to sunset. Abstain from solids.

Partial fast - Abstain from pleasant foods. Partake only of clear soups, fruit juices, cereals or grains, OR, give up one meal a day for prayer. (See Daniel 1:8-16 and 10:2,3).

Three day fast – Total abstinence of food for three days (See example in Esther 4:16).

Extended fast – Has two methods; both require preparation. Before an extended fast, it is recommended you omit caffeine and rich foods from your diet.

Total fast – excludes all food but does include water. Fast should be broken slowly. Only diluted juices for a day or two. Next gradually proceed to fruits, vegetables, and grains, adding meats last.

Non-total fast – no food intake, but diluted fruit juices, water and hot herbal teas are taken.

IF YOU ARE ON MEDICATION, CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE COMMENCING AN EXTENDED FAST. You may need to consider a partial fast only. Fast when directed by the Holy Spirit and according to your disciplined prayer life (Isaiah 58:6; 1 Corinthians 9:26,27).

Use your fast as an opportunity to pray more. During this time your spirit is much more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and you often will receive keener revelation from God’s Word. Fasting is not an endurance test nor a religious ritual. It is privilege and blessing to approach the Lord in humility and whole-hearted faith.

You should see a fast as a means by which your prayers may be more perfectly focused. Fast with a definite goal, thus breaking the bondage and opposition of Satan. Concentrate on Jesus in prayer when you fast, making time in your schedule for Him.

BEFORE ATTEMPTING A PROLONGED FAST, BECOME VICTORIOUS WITH THE SHORTER ONES, SUCH AS A ONE-DAY FAST OR A PARTIAL FAST.