Fasting & Praying
What is FASTING?
Fasting is abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. It is a voluntary and deliberate abstinence from food for the purpose of concentrated prayer. God wants all of us to fast and pray. Fasting must always be done with prayer if not, it is just dieting. A fasted life is better than a feasted life. Fasting was a regular part of the life of God's people. There were personal and corporate fasts found in the Scripture. (Ezra 8:21)
What are the TYPES of fast?
Total Fast
Abstain from solid food for 24 hours. Take only fluids. You may do this for an extended period of 3, 7, 21 or even 40 days.
Partial Fast
Abstain from solid food for an extended part of the day. You may fast from sunrise to sunset. Take only fluids. You may also sacrifice one full meal a day (cg: lunch or dinner)
Daniel Fast (Daniel 1:15)
Eat something simple. Abstain from meat and other favourite delicacies. Take only small portion of fresh vegetables, fruits & juices.
Why should you fast and pray?
1. It brings us closer to God
- It strengthens our prayer life
- It crucifies the flesh (Psalm 109:24) It is an act of repentance (Joel 2:12) It intensifies our desire to seek God (Daniel 9:3)
- It enables us to experience divine visitation (Luke 2:36-38)
2. It enables us to submit and depend on God totally
- It humbles us (Psalm 35:13)
- Aligns ourselves with the purpose of God (Daniel 9:3)
- Enables us to find God's will and receive direction in our lives (Ezra 8:21)
3. It brings God's reward and victory (Matthew 6:17 & 18)
- It gives victory over temptation (Matthew 4:2)
- It can set us free, break strongholds, loose bondage
- It brings God's answer to prayer (Ezra 8:23)
- It brings divine intervention (Eshter 4:16)
4. It empowers us for ministry
- Brings the anointing (Luke 4:1-14)
- It is important in commissioning people into ministry (Acts 13:2-3)
- Certain demonic strongholds can only be broken through fasting & praying (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29)
5. It intensifies evangelism and revival (see the book of Joel)
All men & women of God must Fast and Pray
Old Testament examples:
Moses fasted 40 days after which God spoke to him thereafter he wrote 10 commandments (Exodus 34:28)