Prayer & Fasting

When was the last time you fasted and prayed?

Unfortunately, fasting isn’t something that is commonly taught or practiced among God’s people. 

Scripture teaches about fasting and even gives us different examples of what that may look like. 

In Daniel we see Daniel and the other three young men fasting from the food and drink being served, they simply asked for a specific diet that met their convictions. God not only granted that request, He blessed the end results.

Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness from all food and drink it appears. 

The disciples had trouble casting out an unclean spirit and Christ tells them that kind only comes forth by prayer and fasting.

We see a need for prayer and fasting for some victories to occur; whether spiritual or physical. 

Most of us are good about faithfully praying, but are we fasting?

Some of us struggle with the thought of giving anything up for any amount of time for any reason. We are set in our routines and preferences and we don’t like change. 

But what if God is calling you to pray and fast? He could be seeking to lead you deeper in your knowledge of Him and your relationship with Him. What are you letting stand in the way of that?

In the account of Matthew 17,  prayer and fasting were needed for the deliverance of another. 

Someone else’s deliverance may depend upon your prayer and fasting. Will they get that victory if it’s up to you?

There are so many options for fasting. 

You can fast privately or collectively. You may only fast from a specific item like sugar or coffee. You may choose to fast for a whole day or just one meal each day over several days. It really is just however you feel God is leading you. 

Fasting is meant to give up something temporal to gain something eternal. 

What is gained may just be a sweeter time with Jesus, to know Him deeper. It may be an answered prayer or a physical deliverance. 

Fasting is not something to be looked at as “having to endure.” Fasting is a privilege! It brings a closer walk with Jesus. Why would we not desire that? Is giving up sugar, food, coffee, television, etc. really a big deal in comparison to a deeper walk with Christ or an answered prayer?

In John 15 we see Christ inviting us and explaining to us the need to abide in Him and for Him to abide in us. 

This is what He desires! He wants a close, intimate walk with each of His children! God wants continuous close fellowship with each of us!

God has led me to fast a few times and each time has been for someone else, or so I thought. While He did work on the other person’s behalf, He also worked in my heart. Experiencing closeness with Him like never before in prayer while fasting was worth every minute of fasting. 

Sometimes you start with fasting from one thing, like sugar, and before it’s over He has taken your social media and coffee, too. That’s okay. Let Him have it!

Temporary discomforts here are nothing in comparison to knowing God deeper. 

If you feel God calling you to fast, do it joyfully. Do not worry about what you are giving up, focus on what you will learn and gain from God and His Word. 

Fasting is not a burden, it is a blessing. Dot it joyfully and expectantly. 

Stay in the Word, stay close to the Shepherd, and let HIm lead you in paths of righteousness.

With Hope in HIs Service,

Heather