Fasting, Do I have to?

It is understandable why most people politely ignore this particular spiritual discipline; however, it is one of the most powerful tools we have in our spiritual arsenal.  I came to know and love this act of obedience when my husband and I took part in a discipleship program that dealt in the area of deliverance. (Yes, you can develop a fondness for hunger pains when they are reaping benefits in the spiritual realm  — really!).

I can honestly say during the times of intense fasting and prayer, I have reaped some of the most amazing times in the throne room of God. If you have never fasted, or only in small ways, I encourage you to seek this as part of your regular spiritual exercise (along with reading the Word and Quiet Time) to build up your spiritual muscles! 

 A Few Reasons to Fast

·        Loose the bonds of wickedness.

·        Undo heavy burdens.

·        Break every yoke.

·        Cause righteousness to go before us.

·        Cause the glory of the Lord to be our reward or rear guard.

·        To break demonic powers and give strength to stand against sin.

·        Seek solutions to complex problems and threatening situations.

·        Protection from the evil one.   

·        To usher in revival.

·        For emotional healing.

·        Strength to overcome sinful and destructive habits.

·        To remind us that starvation and mal-nutrition is in two-thirds of the world.

·        For health and healing benefits.

·        To set free and establish testimonies to influence others for Christ.

Here are a few things to help you understand what fasting is and what it is not. 

What is fasting?

·        It is a time set aside to go without food, (or something we love) drink (sugary, coffee, etc. NEVER go without water on extended fasting), to allow us to be more in tune to the Lord.  It is amazing how deaf our spirit is when we are well fed and watered!

·        An intense time set aside to seek God, His purposes, His kingdom, and His will without distractions.

What fasting is NOT

·        Fasting is not an end in itself; it is a means by which we can worship the Lord and submit ourselves in humility to Him. 

·        A means to make God love us any more than He already does. 

·        A means to manipulate God. 

We fast and pray for results, but the results are in God’s hands.  One of the greatest gifts of fasting is it makes us more attentive to God.

This is one of the most important things to remember – fasting is to be done between you and the Lord (or the group you are fasting with).  It is not a time to announce to the world (or work place) how spiritual you are because you are fasting.  It is a time of deep dependence and humility before the One whom we love and worship. 

Matt 6:16 “Moreover, when you fast do not be like the hypocrites with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men 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.

For more information, see: Kinds of Fasting and Scriptures to Support Fasting