01.06.2021 | BIBLICAL FASTING
BIBLICAL FASTING
Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
John 13:8 – “…If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
John 13:10 – “Jesus said to him, ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet…’”
We need Jesus to wash our feet.
As we begin our 21 Day Daniel Fast, let’s see what the Word teaches us about fasting.
1. WHAT IS FASTING?
The Hebrew word for fasting means a voluntary denial of food.
Derek Prince described fasting as “voluntary abstaining from food for spiritual purposes”.
2. HOW DO WE FAST?
a. Normal Fast – Abstaining from food, but drinking water.
Matthew 4:2 – “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.”
b. Total Fast – No food or water
Esther 4:16 – “Neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day.”
c. Supernatural Fast
Exodus 34:28 – “So He was with the Lord forty days and forty nights, he neither ate bread nor drank water.”
d. Partial Fast – Daniel Fast
Daniel 10:3 – “I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
A simple way to think of this fast is no meats and no sweets. Some also add no yeast.
Daniel 1:12 – “Please test your servants for ten days and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.” [‘Vegetables’ literally means food from seeds.]
The focus of the Daniel Fast is eating fruits and vegetables and turning our hearts to the Lord.
Take time during this fast to spend extra time with the Lord in prayer and in His Word.
Our prayer focus: REVIVAL – in our hearts, our homes, the House of Joy, our city, our nation, and world-wide.
3. WHY DO WE FAST?
a. Jesus fasted.
Matthew 4:2 – “When He fasted forty days and forty nights…”
b. Jesus expected His disciples to fast
Matthew 6:16 – “Moreover, when you fast…”
c. The early church fasted
Acts 13:3 – “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said…”
d. Godly men and women throughout church history have fasted and prayed: Moses, Elijah, Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah, the Apostle Paul, John Wesley, Bill Bright
Bill Bright – “I believe the power of fasting as it relates to prayer is the spiritual atomic bomb that our Lord has given us to destroy the strongholds of evil and usher in a great revival and spiritual harvest around the world.”
4. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE FAST AND PRAY?
a. We humble ourselves before the Lord.
James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.”
b. We can experience spiritual breakthrough.
Matthew 17:21 – “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
c. We are more sensitive to the Voice of God.
Acts 13:3 – “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, The Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”
d. We grow in self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”
e. Prayer and fasting releases angelic intervention.
Daniel 10:12 – “Do not fear Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.”
f. Prayer and fasting brings victory in spiritual warfare.
Daniel 10:13 – “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty one days, and behold Michael one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left with the kings of Persia.”