The Reasons and Benefits of Fasting:

Chapter Twenty-seven: 

Fasting is not just for weight loss. Fasting is a discipline that has been very much overlooked and not taught much by the Body of Christ in many years, which is very sad because it is one of the strongest tools you have in your journey to grow more like Christ.  In fact, I don't remember the last time I heard anyone teach on the subject of  fasting as a tool to use.  Teachings anymore seem to be focused on what we can get from God rather than on how we are to do what we can to grow closer to God, discover His will for our lives and become more spiritually mature...all these things are achievable when we fast and pray. 

As I have talked about in previous teachings, there is a war to be fought and that war needs to be fought on two fronts: within and without.  One of the strongest weapons God has given us is fasting.  The outward war is the war we have with the enemy of God and all true Christians, Satan.  The inner war we face is the battle against our flesh, our own appetites and desires that stand against what God would have for us and stand in the way of us developing true holiness. The inner war also includes those areas of our lives that we struggle with and can't seem to break free from, regardless of the amount of prayer and anguish we have put into trying to break free from them.  In fact, there are often areas in our lives that need to be changed by God, areas that only He can bring to light because we are still unaware that they even exist within us!

We are dependent on God for things far more important than regular food.  We are dependent upon Him for spiritual food for nourishing our spirits. God felt that it was so important that after getting baptized, Jesus undertook a forty-day fast in the desert as a preparation to starting His ministry.  Jesus could have easily started His ministry after he was baptized, but God knew that Jesus needed to fast in order to prepare for all that was before him.  If Jesus needed to fast, how much more do we.

An example of the need to fast can be found in the book of Mark where Christ proceeded to cast a demon out, and later His disciples asked him why they had been unable to do so. He declared: “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). Jesus' life here on earth was one of praying, fasting and obeying God at all times.

In Matthew 6, Jesus started by saying "when you fast," not "if you fast."  This implies that fasting is not an option, but is to be done on a regular basis by all believers. The reasons for fasting are many. Fasting offers a way to impose self-control in your life as fasting provides increased self-discipline. Fasting also brings you in line with God to seek His will, and shows your willingness to submit to His will for you.  Many times in Scripture you read about people who spent time in fasting and prayer before a major decision or event in their lives. In Esther 4:16 we read where Esther said, " Go, gather together all the Jews and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and [then] will I go in to the king." She was getting ready to risk her life in order to save the Jewish people living in Persia and she knew she needed God's help.

If you want to gain intimacy with God and develop a deeper spiritual life, there is no better way than fasting. However, fasting must be done with the right attitude, with an attitude of humility.  You cannot expect to receive any benefit from fasting if your attitude is one of pride, self importance or ego.  In Matthew 6:16 Jesus says, “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."  We read in various places in the Scriptures where Jesus was disgusted with those who made it public knowledge when they fasted because they wanted to show off just how spiritual they were. In fact, Matthew 6:17-18 tells us, "But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,  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." We are being told to make sure that no one can tell we are fasting and we are to do whatever possible to make sure they cannot tell we are fasting.  The only one who is to know is God.

God desires that you approach fasting with a sincere, humble, self-searching attitude so that you can draw closer to Him.  Oftentimes during the fast He can show you any sin or wrongdoing that He wants to bring to your attention so you can repent of it and ask His forgiveness. When you fast, you learn how weak you really are as a human. It is a humbling experience. You learn that you are merely a very limited human being after all. David talked about this in Psalm 35:13 which says, "... and humbled myself with fasting."

By drawing closer to God in prayer and fasting you can begin to overcome those problem areas you have in your life that seem to constantly harass you and make you feel you will never overcome them. The Apostle Paul said in First Corinthians 6:12, "  'I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial. 'I have the right to do anything'—but I will not be mastered by anything."  There is absolutely nothing that the Holy Spirit cannot break, conquer, teach or overcome. He can do it all, and do it all thoroughly and completely. There are no sins that cannot be broken, no areas of struggle that cannot be brought to victory. And knowing these truths about the power and person of the Holy Spirit gives us the promise of victory in our lives. God desires that we approach Him with full assurance that He not only can set us free and give us victory, but that He will do it. 

Fasting, along with prayer, is a tremendous weapon of spiritual warfare used by God to accomplish mighty things, not only in our individual lives, and the corporate body of Christ, but it also aids in the callings/ministries given to each and every believer. It will heavily strengthen your personal walk with God and you will learn to pray as is described in James 5:16 which says, " The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." So, just how does one fast?

I feel I need to give a warning before I proceed:  Do not fast if you have any type of health condition that fasting may affect, without getting the okay of your doctor.  Also, pray and ask the Lord how He wants you to fast, and for what period of time, as He works with each of us differently.

Fasting is not that complicated.  You simply stay away from food for a certain period of time.  If you have never fasted before, it may be best to start off with abstaining from one meal and possibly substituting a liquid, like watered down Gatorade or a liquid meal supplement (like Boost), so you do not get low blood sugar.  As you get used to it, you can skip food for the whole day but stay hydrated with water. Those who fast for longer need to be careful as going without food can affect you nutritionally, which can affect your body.  When you hear of people who fast for a week, or even forty days as Jesus did, they have worked up to the ability to fast that long in addition to having the supernatural power of God helping them do it.  Please be sure it is the Lord telling you to do it when it is for a longer period of time so that He will be giving you the endurance that you will need. The important thing is that you seek the Lord and find out for yourself what is the best way for you to fast, how He wants you to fast and how long He wants you to fast.

A friend of mine told me that he had tried several times to fast, but had difficulty and ended up having to eat.  What he realized later was that he has a high metabolism and he was feeling ill during his fasting because of his lack of nutrition.  That is why it is important to find liquid substitutes to help you, if necessary.  He said he felt ashamed that he could not fast as he had wanted.  Do not allow your lack of success the first few times to cause you to give up. Some people do have difficulty the first few times, but keep at it and find out what works best for you.  He finally drew the conclusion that all he could do was fast one meal and he realized that he was putting guilt upon himself...it was not God's disapproval he was feeling after all.  Fasting is a very personal thing between you and God.  It is also like any other discipline.  A body builder does not go straight to being able to bench press a lot of weight. He/she progresses up to it, knowing that the body has to get used to it.  It is the same for fasting.  Progress up to what you feel the Lord is asking you to do. He will honor your intentions and your desire to grow closer to Him, regardless of whether you fast one meal or several days.

Fasting is accompanied by a special focus on prayer, where you are substituting the time you would spend eating by praying and being in God's presence. Keep in mind that when you are fasting and praying you do not need to be constantly in a state of prayer on your knees and not doing anything else.  You can pray through the day as you go about your daily activities.  One thing you may want to watch is if you are going without food, do not overdo things physically.  For example, do not go on a long hike or go jogging until you have learned what your body can handle during it's time of fasting as you are going through a period of time with low nutrition in your body. Fast on a day that your physical output will be low so you will be able focus on prayer and not have to give in and eat because you have overdone things.

Be prepared...during your fast not only will your body protest, but the enemy will try to stop you from obtaining all that God has for you during that time.  Satan knows that your goal is to make your flesh weaker and decrease his influence over you...these are not things he wants you to achieve!  Once you discover the true power that lays in fasting and prayer, you have the potential of becoming unstoppable for the Kingdom of God!

A very good friend of mine recently shared her attitude regarding fasting: 

*If you are struggling with a certain sin or bondage... Fast and Pray!

*If you are desiring deeper growth... Fast and Pray!

*If you are burdened for lost loved ones... Fast and Pray!

*If you are facing a hard situation... Fast and Pray!

She told me that in her experiences with fasting, she has not only developed a deeper walk with God, but she can tell that her "inner man" feels more stable and grounded.  She said that the Holy Spirit often  does a work in her that she is not even aware of until sometime later when she notices that something has changed within her. She described it as feeling a new sense of freedom and gives God the praise!  

Make a conscious effort to make fasting a regular part of your Christian walk. You will be surprised at the results. Fasting is a good reminder to us of the real meaning of Psalm 73: 25-26, which says, " Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Fasting and prayer are powerful allies!

In the next teaching, we will look at a different type of prayer, intercessory prayer.