Prayer & Fasting

Fasting doesn’t mean going without water or television, it means to abstain from food. When a Christian fasts, he or she is going without food for the sake of concentrated prayer. Fasting for Christians is always done with intense and continuous prayer.

Jesus expects us to fast. In Matthew 6:16, He didn’t say “If you choose to fast”, He said “When you fast”.

Luke 4:1-3 shows us that Jesus went on a fast for forty days before He began His ministry.

It is good to fast for spiritual revelation from God, for fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and if you need God’s help in a difficult situation. On the other hand, there are those who pray and fast for their selfish wants. They attempt to twist the arm of God to get what they want and they are not concerned about the will of God for their lives. The truth is no one can change the will of God.

When a true Christian fasts with prayer, it makes them sensitive to the Holy Spirit of God Who would reveal the will of God for them. Also, God would work in them and through them in a very powerful and miraculous way.  

Prayer and Fasting is for those who are serious about fully abiding in the love and power of Almighty God. When you fast with prayer, the power of God will rest on you and you will operate by the power of the Spirit of God (Luke 4:14). You should want to perfect your Christian character so you would be able to stand strongly as representations of Christ, against ignorance, false teachings, sickness and works of evil.

In Mark 9:14-29 (ISV, KJV, YLT) we find that the disciples of Jesus were unable to drive an evil spirit out from a boy. The demon that inhabited the boy was a strong and wicked demon that used to try to kill him by throwing him into water or fire. After Jesus had driven out the demon Himself, the disciples asked Him why they could not have done it. Jesus told them that type of evil spirit can only be driven out by Prayer and Fasting.

No form of evil has any power over us when we are fasting with prayer. The practice of Prayer and Fasting allows the Spirit of God to work in us to help us conquer the flesh. It makes us sensitive enough to discern when the flesh wants to control us so we are much more equipped to work with the Holy Spirit to defeat it.

Sinful thoughts are of the flesh and are displeasing to the Lord. They also harm us physically, mentally and emotionally. The Holy Spirit works change our minds into the mind of Christ. You must pray often:

May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you, O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer! (Psalm 19:14).

The mind is our instrument to use for God's will. The mind is not who you are. Dwell only on what is good and peaceful.

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable -Philippians 4:8-.

You are in the process of being healed and renewed. Be prepared for hidden and unsolved issues, negative emotions and problems that would surface. The Holy Spirit will help you to effectively and successfully deal with them all. The Spirit of God will also give you strength and understanding to forgive all who have wronged you. We must remain disciplined and committed during this time.  

The Word of God tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The purer our faith is in Him, the more our Almighty Father would abide in us.

Faith gives us a powerful relationship with God. Faith comes through hearing and meditating on God’s Word, and is more purified or in other words, made greater, by fasting with prayer. Prayer and Fasting clears all doubt from our minds.

When God’s children seek Him through fasting with prayer, it pleases Him greatly because it shows that we are denying ourselves for Him. It is saying, “No!’ to flesh and “Yes!” to God. By doing this practice earnestly, therefore with a genuine heart for God, He becomes very pleased, strengthens our faith, fills us with His Spirit, and brings us great joy, happiness and peace.

During your fast with prayer you should study the word of God, read and meditate on the psalms and promises of God, hear the Word in sermons and in worship songs and sing hymns of worship and praise to your Almighty Creator. This is a wonderful time for you. This is a time of spiritual progress, of breakthroughs and renewal. You may get prophetic and holy visions and or dreams.

Your spirit would be made sensitive so you would be hearing more clearly the voice of your Heavenly Father. Expect to hear Him. Desire to meet with your Creator and expect Him to manifest Himself to you.

During this time, try not to keep yourself locked in your room or in your home or buried under your sheets. Join the body of Christ in worshipping and serving the Lord. Do not look like you’re suffering or mourning. Make no room for self-pity and keep a spirit and expression of peace, joy and humility. Remember, the practice of Prayer and Fasting is a great form of self-denial for the purpose of allowing God to conform your will into His own to make you His instrument of love, power, wisdom and peace.

God will certainly hear all those who live in self-denial for Him, and work in their favour, like He did for Daniel. Prayer and Fasting brings us the blessings of God, anointing and power of God, God’s help and protection, healing, prophetic and holy visions and dreams. When we fast with prayer, God gives us victory even when the odds are greatly against us (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).

Prayer and Fasting brings God’s powerful hand of protection (Ezra 8:21, 31).

Prayer and Fasting removes demons from us and our path. If you believe you are under spiritual attack, say Psalm 91 which is the best prayer for protection. It’s beneficial to begin the day with it.

Prayer and Fasting breaks bad habits and generational curses, and most importantly fills us with the wonderful, perfect and everlasting love of God.

Fasting is also very healthy for you physically. It cleanses your body of toxins and rests your body. The energy used in digesting food can then be used for healing, rejuvenation and fighting a great number of diseases.