The Power of Biblical Fasting

There are only three things Jesus taught where He started His teaching with ‘when’. Matthew 6 reveals the three things Jesus stated categorically: when you give, when you pray and when you fast. Jesus considered these three foundational – He wasn’t teaching that we should give, or we should pray, or we should fast. He expected His audience to practice all three, and was showing the right way to do all three. 

Now, some believe in Matthew 6, Jesus was speaking to Jews under the law, and these three things were required under the law, but later Jesus spoke of His future disciples and said: “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” Matthew 9:15. The disciples did not need to seek closeness with Jesus; He was right there. Jesus fasted and expected His disciples to fast once He left.

Jesus started His ministry after He was empowered through a 40-day fast in the wilderness. Matthew 4. During His time in the wilderness, one of the temptations He faced was to turn stones into bread. There was no food around that He could eat, and He was weak and hungry. The enemy knows the power of food. He used it in the Garden of Eden to corrupt Adam and Eve. Their lives and the lives of their offspring changed forever through one fateful meal that bound them to a broken nature and corrupted thinking.

The disciples fasted and prayed before major decisions and for empowerment. Acts 13:2 shows they fasted and worshipped, waiting on the Lord to reveal the next step. “The Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:2-3.

We have based our ministry on all three foundational things Jesus taught and have seen the power of God released because of it. Give, pray and fast became our foundation. With more than forty years of experience in fasting the right way, we have experienced incredible empowerment and healing we have experienced because we incorporated fasting into our lives. We’ve lived through miraculous healings, massive church growth, deliverances and a whole nation turning to God in a national day of fasting and repentance. Fasting was pivotal in these and many other miraculous happenings. 

So what does fasting actually accomplish? This spiritual discipline is a physical way for you to slow down, tell God how much you need Him, listen to what He has to say, and then act on how He leads you. You’ll gain much through your fast: He’ll revive your heart, clear your head, and give you the courage and wisdom to live an empowered kingdom life that is a testimony to others living in a broken world.

Don’t look at what you’re giving up when you fast; look at what you gain. The athlete who trains when they’re tired and sore, following the right diet and doing what is necessary for their ultimate goal - the medal. Their view is the gain. Your prize is infinitely more valuable!

In the midst of living in a broken world, you need to see the face and hear the voice of your heavenly Father. You give up physical food so you can receive spiritual nourishment. You may be facing a new challenge in your life, or you desire to be closer to God. All the answers and solutions are with God. Fasting helps us tap into the vast wisdom of God and draws us closer to Him.

Fasting done correctly brings all kinds of blessings because God ordained it. Jesus treated fasting as a natural part of life and foretold that His disciples would fast after He left. Matthew 9:14-15. How often you fast and for how long is something you need to discuss with God in prayer. You also need to speak to your health care professional, as they will know your medical history and will be able to advise you accordingly. 

The fear of fasting can be worse than doing it yourself. Fasting actually is good for us. There are certain ways that the Lord designed our body to operate in rhythms that, even once a week, not having food helps our body reset. And there are so many spiritual lessons you learn as you give up food. Just the way that Jesus tells us that he's the bread of life, he's our living water – allowing us to understand in a deeper way how we can depend on Him.

If you will respond with faith to the Word of God and implement fasting as a frequent discipline in your life, you will see spiritual growth, such as you never imagined possible. Begin to see the effectiveness of your prayers increase, and the desires of the flesh weaken. Step into the depths of the Spirit that you’ve never known. Take God at His Word. Watch what begins to happen in your life as you fast and pray.

Here is what God promises will happen through a biblical fast. “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8.

1: Fasting can bring clarity to the voice of God. (Acts 13:2). 

2: Fasting can help to properly establish a new ministry. (Acts 14:23). 

3: Fasting can bring favour. (Esther 4:16). 

4: Fasting can bring healing. (Psalm 35:13-14). 

5: Fasting can prepare you for the call of God. (Matthew 4:1-4). 

6: Fasting can prepare you for temptation and empower you not to yield to temptation when it comes. (Matthew 4:1-4). 

7: Fasting can bring about freedom. (Isaiah 58:6). 

8: Fasting can bring protection. (Ezra 8:21). 

9: Fasting can increase Spiritual Authority. (Matthew 17:19-21, NAS). 

10: Fasting can teach you dependence on God. (Matthew 4:3-4, NLT).

God has made an astonishing promise to you. How do you activate that promise from God, and what will happen if you do?  Fasting done correctly brings all kinds of blessings because God ordained it. Jesus treated fasting as a natural part of life and foretold that His disciples would fast after He left. Matthew 9:14-15. How often you fast and for how long is something you need to discuss with God in prayer. You also need to speak to your health care professional, as they will know your medical history and will be able to advise you accordingly.

Start slow. To gain the benefits of biblical fasting, you must approach fasting the right way. So please, don’t rush off and start a fast before you have gained the knowledge and preparation you need. You need all the facts and the full picture so you can reap the benefits. You also need a thorough physical and have your health care professional help you navigate your fast. Ensure you have support in prayer and assistance. Our book,  'Soaring Like Eagles Fasting to Go Higher in God,’ will guide you step by step with practical solutions and life hacks to smoothly fold fasting into your life and do it right so you reap the benefits. 

Research and preparation. Building a rhythm of fasting in your life is going to dramatically change your life. Do your research about the different fasts, the duration of fasts, and how to prepare to fast. Once you've done that, try out different fasts to see which works best for your physiology. You will find that as you grow in this new life rhythm, you will make some changes to your life that will bless your life. It is truly a whole new, empowered, sensitised way of living. 

In the sensitised state during and after a fast, God will manifest and speak in unique ways.

We experienced amazing, miraculous things in our lives because we incorporated regular fasting as part of our foundation in ministry and our personal lives. We share many of these in our books ‘Tales out of Africa, Ordinary people having extraordinary encounters with God’, and ‘Miracle Stories to increase your faith’. Like us, you will discover that when you fast, you activate the promises God gave to those who fast. We cover these in detail in our book ‘Soaring Like Eagles Fasting to Go Higher in God’.  This book comprehensively covers every aspect of fasting, including the answers to your questions, from how to start fasting to what you should eat to prepare and break fasts. We share real-life stories and show you how to get the most out of each fast to empower your life. A powerful, Bible-based book that will take you to a whole new level in God. To get your copy of this amazing, informative book, simply click the button below. Please use my free resources by subscribing to uplifting content delivered to your inbox once a month. Just hit subscribe and be blessed.

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