Fasting is often misunderstood or even feared in our fast-food, instant-gratification culture.
However, this powerful spiritual practice is making a resurgence as believers rediscover its incredible power to transform their lives.
What is fasting, exactly? At its core, biblical fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose.
It goes far beyond just missing a few meals or going on a short diet. Fasting is consecrating yourself to intentionally pursue intimacy with God.
When you combine fasting with prayer, it releases God’s supernatural power in your life like nothing else can.
1. Supersizing Your Spiritual Capacity
Have you ever felt like your “pipe” to God was clogged with impurities, limiting how much blessings could flow?
Fasting clears out anything in your soul that could hinder His power from working in your life.
It removes the gunk and rust, flushing away toxins from your system – physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Fasting enlarges your capacity to receive more from God.
He has oceans of power, provision, and answers waiting to be poured into your life. However, the size of your “pipe” determines how much can flow through to you.
Fasting widens that “pipe” and expands your ability to receive more of God’s blessings.
The Prophet Isaiah said if you repent, remove the yoke of oppression, and malicious talk, and spend your time caring for the hungry and afflicted,
“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear.”
Isaiah 58:8 (NIV)
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This is the cleansing effect of fasting!
2. Turbocharging Your Prayer Life
Prayer moves the hand of God while fasting positions you to grab hold of it. You’ll gain special access to His throne when you consecrate yourself through fasting.
There is a level of spiritual authority and power that only comes through prayer with fasting.
Fasting offers “horsepower” to your prayers, propelling them with divine energy. Like a rocket booster, it thrusts your petitions into the heavenly realm with supernatural force.
Fasting brings your flesh under the control of the Holy Spirit, breaking any addictions and ungodly ties that hinder your prayers.
The enemy tries to distract us from consistent prayer because he knows focused, fervent prayer is dangerous.
Therefore, fasting starves your fleshly appetites so your spirit can enter God’s presence unhindered.
You’ll become focused and empowered to pray strategic prayers that unlock your breakthrough by adding fasting to your prayers.
3. Sharpening Your Spiritual Senses
Fasting brings clarity and sharpens your spiritual senses. It tunes out natural distractions so you can hear God’s voice and direction.
As you remove the noise, clutter, and busyness from your soul, you’ll become acutely aware of what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.
Fasting will give you a laser-focused vision to discern God’s purposes in every situation.
Like Jesus, you will receive divine revelations and strategies from the Father during extended times of prayer and fasting.
The Holy Spirit can use this consecrated period to reveal areas of your life that need alignment and give you wisdom on how to move forward.
Fasting is a vital key to living in step with the Spirit. It filters out competing voices so you can walk in God’s perfect plan for your life.
4. Bringing Deliverance and Breakthrough
One of the remarkable benefits of fasting and prayer is that it summons God’s intervention in any difficult situation or circumstance.
When God’s people collectively fasted and prayed throughout history, it often determined the fate of communities and nations.
In the Book of Esther, when the Jews were under the threat of genocide, Queen Esther called a three-day fast before approaching the king to plead for their lives.
As a result, the plot was reversed and they were granted protection and provision. This demonstrates the incredible power of fasting and prayer to shift destinies!
Are you facing a situation that seems impossible today? Is there a dream in your heart that seems out of reach?
Bring it before the Lord in a time of consecrated prayer and fasting. As you humble yourself to pray and fast, God promises to hear and answer you from heaven, forgiving your sins and restoring you (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
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Release your breakthrough through fasting.
5. Requiring Dedication and Discipline
Fasting requires you to fully dedicate yourself by temporarily giving up something you enjoy to dedicate that time to pursuing intimacy with God.
“My knees are weak from fasting, and I am skin and bones.”
Psalm 109:24 (NLT)
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Often when you remove distractions and pleasures it reveals areas that may have a stronger hold on you than you realize.
But as you replace those activities with prayer, worship, and God’s Word, your inner man is strengthened to rule over your flesh.
It takes discipline to spend extended time in prayer and study. But as you do, you’ll find a new level of breakthrough in your walk with Christ.
It’s important not to broadcast your fast to others, but to keep it between yourself and God.
When you consecrate yourself in secret through fasting, your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you openly (Matthew 6:16-18 NIV).
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
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You’ll experience God’s presence in new ways as you pray and fast.
In Summary
Fasting cleanses and prepares you spiritually to receive everything God has planned for your life.
At first, fasting may be uncomfortable, but the rewards far outweigh any temporary inconvenience. Even short fasts can provide tremendous spiritual insights when combined with prayer.
As you make fasting part of your spiritual journey start slowly and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Study examples of fasting in the Bible and allow God to stretch your faith in new ways.
As you dedicate time to pursue Him through regular prayer and fasting, you’ll experience breakthroughs and blessings like never before!
Key Takeaways
- Fasting removes any hindrances and increases your capacity to receive more of God’s power and blessings.
- Fasting turbocharges your prayer life with renewed spiritual authority and focus.
- Fasting sharpens your spiritual senses so that you can hear God’s voice and direction.
- Fasting brings deliverance, divine revelations, and breakthroughs when combined with prayer.
- Spend more time than usual in prayer, worship, and studying God’s Word while fasting.
- Fasting in secret results in open rewards from our Heavenly Father as you consecrate yourself to seek Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prayer and Fasting
Q. What are some different types of biblical fasts?
- Normal Fast: No food, just water, and juices for 1-3 days or more.
- Partial Fast: Abstaining from certain foods or meals for several days.
- Daniel Fast: Only fruits, vegetables, and water for 10-21 days.
- Esther Fast: No food or water for 3 days.
Q. How long should I fast as a beginner?
A. Start small. Try fasting one meal a day, then progress up to three meals per day for 1-3 days. Remember to drink plenty of water.
For extended fasts seek medical advice first. Fasting should never harm your body.
Q. What should I expect physically when fasting?
A. You may experience symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and irritability as your body adjusts. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Physical activities may be more difficult so focus your energy on spiritual pursuits.
Q. Can fasting cure illness?
A. While fasting gives rest to the digestive system, it should not replace professional medical treatment.
Some people have reported improved health through fasting. Always consult your doctor before, during, and after your fast.
Q. What should I do while fasting?
A. Replace normal activities with prayer, praise, Bible study, and meditation.
Limit distractions and set aside extended time to be alone with God. Journal the revelations and insights you receive during your fast.
Q. Should children fast?
A. Children below the age of thirteen should not engage in extended fasts without medical supervision.
However, as they mature, they can try short 1-2 meal fasts to learn the purpose of consecrating themselves to God. Teens can try short, 1-3 day fasts with parental consent.
