1.3.2024 | FASTING

“Not about us getting something from God! Or forcing God into action. Prayer and fasting are means of aligning ourselves with His possibilities of power through applying His principles of obedience in order to participate in His promises.”- Jack Hayford

What are we praying for during this fast? For alignment! For His kingdom to come and His will be done… we know that’s best! That we get out of the way!

1. What did Jesus say about fasting, was it optional?

“You could choose not to fast this year, but why would you? Why would you choose to stay where you are when God has so much more for you?” – Jentezen Franklin

2. How would you define a “Daniel fast?” Jentezen Franklin: “Eat no meat, no sweets and no bread. Drink water and juice. Eat fruits and vegetables.”

Daniel 10:2-3 MSG

During those days, I, Daniel, went into mourning over Jerusalem for three weeks. I ate only plain and simple food, no seasoning or meat or wine. I neither bathed nor shaved until the three weeks were up.

Daniel 10:2-3 NASB

I did not eat any tasty food,

Daniel 10:2-3 NKJV

I ate no pleasant food,

Daniel 1:12

“Try us out for ten days on a simple diet of vegetables and water. Then compare us with the young men who eat from the royal menu. Make your decision on the basis of what you see.”

3. What are some possible benefits from fasting?

Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, “I humble myself through fasting.”

Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.

Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.

The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!

Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.

Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life—and make you a channel of revival to others.

Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14: “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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

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.

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 king of Persia

Matthew 17:21

This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.

Prayer and Fasting releases Divine favor

Nehemiah 1:4

So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Fasting to know God’s Will

Acts 13:2-3

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.”  Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them and they sent them away. 

Developing Disciple

“Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life.” – Bill Bright

4. What are some things you can do to prepare for the fast and during the fast to stay on course?

  • Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.

  • Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

  • Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).

  • Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.

  • Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).

  • Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).

  • Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).

5. What elements should be included according to Isaiah 58 to meet the description of a fast that God chooses?

Isaiah 58:3-5 MSG

But they also complain, Why do we fast and you don’t look our way? Why do we humble ourselves and you don’t even notice? “Well, here’s why: The bottom line on your ‘fast days’ is profit. You drive your employees much too hard. You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight.”

“You fast, but you swing a mean fist. The kind of fasting you do won’t get your prayers off the ground. Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting a fast day that I, God, would like?

Isaiah 58:6-9 MSG

“This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes,”

“putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.”

What other acts of worship can/should accompany a fast?

Praise, Scripture meditation, Prayer, Christian fellowship,

JC Editor