Fasting

Did you know that the bible asks us all to fast?

In Matthew 6: 16-18 it reads: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

If you notice, it says WHEN you fast. Not IF you fast. We are expected to fast for the Lord.

In Mark 2: 18-20 it reads: Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

Once Jesus left and went into Heaven, we were then expected to fast. What is fasting? Fasting is setting aside a time to go without food and spend that time in prayer.

There are no written rules for fasting to tell us what food and for how long. There are however, examples in scripture where certain men fasted certain items of food for a given time period.

Some fasted for a few days, some a few weeks and like Christ, some fasted for 40 days.

There are a few types of fasts that seem to be common in today’s times. Those being the partial fast where only certain items of food are not eaten for a time. The juice fast, where food is not eaten, but juices are drunk to help ease the discomfort of going without. There is a water fast, where no food is eaten at all and only water is drank.

And there is the total fast where no food or water is taken in.

It is advisable that you do not go longer than three days for the total fast or the water only fast.

Now, there have been times that I have prayed to the Lord and asked Him what I should fast. There was one time that He had me fast 40 days by giving up all my favorites, Pepsi, candy, junk food, potato chips and anything sweet. Now that was HARD. During that 40 day period, I went without all these things and only ate good healthy foods and drank only healthy drinks. I also spent each day in much prayer.

Another fast I was led to eat only fruit for a time. That turned out to be a three day fast where I ate and drank only fruit and fruit juices. Again, spending those days deep in prayer and seeking what the Lord wanted from me at that time. In addition to the three days on fruit, I then spent seven days fasting by holding my tongue. I did not speak any negative nor any evil for seven days.

Fasting does some amazing things. We do not have anything that we can give to the Lord. He already owns it all. He created it all. But by giving up our food, we are giving up what is needed for the flesh to survive. It is a great sacrifice on our part and is rewarded by the Lord when done with a pure heart.

Fasting helps to bring the flesh into submission. Instead of it owning us and telling us when it is time to eat, we in turn take control and own it by depriving it for a time. This learning to control the flesh in this way flows into other areas of our lives. By completing a successful fast, we become empowered. We feel we can win at other things we set our minds to as well.

Fasting helps to give you focus. Because fasting and prayer MUST go together, otherwise fasting with out prayer is just starvation and produces no benefits at all. When I say fasting gives you focus, I mean that every time you feel hungry, you are reminded that you are fasting for the Lord and each time you feel a hunger pain you remember to pray!

I can honestly say that each and every time I fasted before the Lord in petition for knowledge, wisdom, answers to stumbling block questions, and deeper oneness with Him, He has always been faithful in filling that need.

Other things to fast for are; times of crisis when we need His intervention, developing a closer walk with Him, for intercession on the part of others, moving of the Spirit, removal of dark spirits, an act of dieing to self and simply to give a sacrifice to the Lord.

If you have never fasted before, I challenge you to do just that. Try a one day at first. Then try three. Some fast for a week or more. If you have any health problems at all, seek your doctor’s council before doing any sort of fasting.

Ask the Lord first how long you should fast and what you should fast. He will give you an answer. You will feel it in your spirit.

I would love to hear about your experiences. The challenges you faced and how you overcame. Be brave, be strong and surprise yourself. You can do it! Your blessings are waiting.

Love in Christ,

Lisa