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FASTING

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground.

—2 SAMUEL 12:16

When we fast, God will speak. Notice that I didn’t say “if” you fast but “when” you fast God will speak to you. Fasting is a biblical fact that breaks poverty and the bands of wickedness; releases revelation and answered prayers; heals diseases and sickness; and overcomes the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Fasting should be a regular routine and lifestyle of the Christian. Other religions fast and incorporate it in their religious programs.

As you know, God loves to speak to those who will do what it takes to position themselves to hear His voice daily. There are powerful spiritual principles and biblical truths that give us access to hearing the voice of the Lord more precisely and regularly. Fasting is one of them that I have benefited from. Whenever I get to a place of fasting I tend to have a spiritual awakening but also a spiritual cleansing. Fasting causes me to go through detoxification. God begins to empty out anything that is toxic to my soul and revive me through eating the Word of God.

My question to you is, are you hungry for more of the move of God in your life? Are you ready to hear His voice and draw closer to your Father in Heaven? Do you want to grow spiritually? Are you longing for a spiritual refreshing and breakthrough? If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, you are on your way to hearing God in ways you never imagined. I would say to lend God your undivided attention through biblical fasting and watch God move supernaturally. I have personally come away knowing the voice of God for myself as a result of making fasting a part of my Christian walk.

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6 ESV)

People often ask me, “When is the best time to fast or when should we fast?” My answer to their question is that fasting is not a question of if but when. Jesus clearly said “when you fast” not “if you fast,” as we can see in Matthew 6:16-18:

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (ESV).

There are believers who fast religiously, without God’s direction, and there are those who fast to appear super-spiritual or deep. If that’s the case, then check your motives for fasting because fasting creates a space for self-denial and humility. When God calls you to fast, then obey His voice and direction.

Fasting should not become a ritualistic practice or be used to fleece God. We should make that sacrifice out of worship and humility. When I fast, God has already laid it on my heart for a definite reason and speaks to me profoundly. Below I have provided seven benefits of fasting:

1.Divine protection (Esther 4:16; Ezra 8:21-23; 2 Chron. 20:1-25)

2.Victory over temptation (Matt. 4:1-11)

3.Ordination, preparation, and commissioning into ministry (Acts 13:2-3; Acts 14:23)

4.Access to the heart of God (Jonah 3:4-10)

5.Personal deliverance (Mark 9:28-29; Isa. 58:6)

6.Preparation for new seasons of ministry (Matt. 4:1-17)

7.Divine healing and spiritual health (Isa. 58:8)

Fasting not only gives spiritual benefits but physical ones as well:

Fasting cleanses the body from built-up chemicals, metals, and other toxins. When you fast, your cells, tissues, and organs dump out the accumulated waste products of cellular metabolism as well as chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, and solvents. Fasting revitalizes you in every way: mentally, physically, and spiritually. It also allows the overburdened liver to “catch up” on its detoxification work.¹

Remember, when you fast, the time you would usually spend eating is spent with the Lord instead. Write down your questions, any struggles you may be facing during the fast, and what God is showing you in your journal. Go back later in the fast and read what you wrote. Often you will gain more revelation or see the answers to your questions as God completes the work He is doing. Whatever the purpose of your fast, it will strengthen your walk with God. Fasting will cause you to thrive spiritually.

Fasting and prayer is a power combo that Jesus emphatically taught His disciples they should do often. In deliverance, fasting and prayer has the power to deliver from demonic strongholds and stubborn spirits. There are times that revolutionize my life when the Lord calls upon me to fast. Fasting is necessary to produce and maintain a healthy Christian walk and lifestyle. Fasting will crucify all fleshly appetite so that you can feast on the goodness of Jesus and desire spiritual things.

Each way that God speaks to us today meshes into the other. God often speaks to us through His Spirit, through prayer. We may not know how to pray, but God’s Word tells us His Spirit makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:26-27). There is no such thing as a fast without prayer. A fast without prayer is just going hungry, and you’re accomplishing nothing at all. While fasting is not necessary for salvation, it is essential to your Christian walk of faith and highly recommended.

In fact, Jesus expects believers to embrace fasting as regular routine in their spiritual walk. Fasting will assist anyone who is seeking a more intimate relationship with Christ. I know when I was young I fasted for three days and I not only heard God’s voice audibly but had several spiritual encounters with angels. This may not be the case for everyone, but I guarantee that you will recognize a big difference when you do and when you don’t fast.

Fasting will ultimately assist a believer to overcome sin and temptation, break bad habits, and help open your spiritual eyes to things that are displeasing to the Father in your life. Fasting breaks your appetite and changes your palate for the things of the Lord. Fasting benefits your spirit man and aligns your soul to discipline and overcome fleshly agendas and appetites. As well as fasting and praying, incorporate a time to separate from your regular life activities, patterns, and from things of the world that will prevent you from having a closer access to the Lord.

We are not to make spiritual disciplines complicated. Fasting should not be one of those spiritual things we often dread because there are so many benefits and reasons for fasting and so many ways to do it to make it at least tolerable. As you research and grow in your faith with God you know personally what works best for you. Find out the best method for you and stick to it throughout the whole process.

In addition, I would suggest that you find out the purpose for your fast and how long you are planning to do it by seeking the Lord. God will speak to you in a still small voice or there will be an inner witness that will confirm that you should. Always trust your prophetic instinct that is leading you to do something that is uncomfortable. Keep in mind the Holy Spirit doesn’t force you not to eat. It’s solely up to you, and God honors that and will speak to you in many different ways described throughout this book.

Often through a combination of fasting and prayer our minds become clearer, keener, and our hearts are more sensitive to the voice and moves of God. Again, we may not hear God’s literal voice at first, but His Spirit will eventually confirm a certain direction or answer for you that you were waiting for. As the distractions fade, you will overtime throughout the fast and prayer will sense the strong presence and leading of the Holy Spirit in a new way.

Does this type of encounter happen suddenly? Not always; it depends on each case or situation. There have been occasions when I still had no clue what to do, but in faith I was thankful that God showed me something small that got my attention because I obeyed Him and did a fast. In addition, I am thankful whenever and however God answers me in prayer through a fast. God will speak to you in so many ways because of the fast you did voluntarily.

NOTE

1.Don Colbert, The Seven Pillars of Health (Carol Stream, IL: Oasis, 2008), 177.