Teaching on Fasting
INTRODUCTION
FASTING IS FORGETTING SOME OF THE NECESSARY THINGS OF LIFE
FASTING IS FOR REVIVAL
WILL HELP YOUR HEART AND FLESH AND SOUL CRY OUT TO GOD
FASTING IS A NATURAL REACTION OF THE BODY AND SOUL
FASTING SATISFIES THE DEEP LONGINGS OF THE SOUL
FASTING IS TRIBULATION
FASTING REQUIRES PATIENCE AND IT CREATES PATIENCE
FASTING WITH AGREEMENT IS VERY POWERFUL
FASTING IS FOR EMERGENCIES
FASTING GETS THINGS ACCOMPLISHED
FASTING IS FOR TODAY, FOR NOW>
FASTING IS FOR NEW BEGINNINGS>
FASTING IS “QUALITY TIME” SPENT WITH GOD
FASTING IS PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY
FASTING IS FOR ASSURANCE OF KNOWING GOD’S WILL
FASTING IS FOR REDEDICATION
FASTING IS FOR THINKING THROUGH OR WORKING THROUGH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS
GOD’S CHOSEN FAST
FASTING FOR BACKSLIDERS IS STRATEGIC
FASTING IS FOR SETTING THE OPPRESSED FREE, AND FOR UNDOING THE HEAVY BURDENS
FASTING IS TAKING HOLD OF THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR
FASTING IS A TIME OF DESPERATION
FASTING IS A TIME OF KEEPING AN URGENT MATTER BEFORE GOD
FASTING IS A TIME OF PRAYING FOR THE SICK
FASTING IS FOR CHANGING THE MIND OF GOD
FASTING IS HEARD ON HIGH
FASTING AND WEEPING GO TOGETHER
FASTING IS FOR THE TIME OF DANGER
FASTING IS FOR LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS, IT IS NATURAL TO FAST AT SUCH TIMES
CORPORATE OR GROUP FASTING IS ESPECIALLY BLESSED OF GOD
A THREE-FOLD CORD IS NOT QUICKLY BROKEN: PRAYER, FASTING AND AGREEMENT
FASTING IS FOR A TIME OF SPIRITUAL UNFAITHFULNESS>
FASTING IS HOLY
FASTING CAN STOP JUDGMENT
FASTING HUMBLES THE SOUL
FASTING WEAKENS THE BODY BUT STRENGTHENS THE SOUL
FASTING IS PRAYING IN WEAKNESS
FASTING IS A TIME OF PRAISE
FASTING IS FOR THE FEARFUL
FASTING IS ASKING HELP OF GOD
FASTING IS SEEKING THE LORD
FASTING RELEASES THE POWER OF GOD
FASTING IS FOR AFFLICTION
FASTING IS FOR KEEPING YOUR POSSESSIONS
FASTING IS FOR THE WEAK
FASTING HELPS YOU KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD
FASTING IS PUTTING GOD FIRST
FASTING IS STANDING BEFORE GOD
FASTING IS VICTORY
FASTING IS STANDING STILL
FASTING IS A TIME OF WORSHIP
FASTING IS A TIME OF PRAISE! AND ATIME OF SINGING
FASTING IS A TIME OF TAKING THE SPOILS
FASTING IS A TIME OF BLESSING THE LORD
FASTING IS A TIME OF JOY
FASTING HELPS IN THE SPIRITUAL
BATTLE AGAINST THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS
FASTING ALSO HELPS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST THE WORLD AND THE FLESH
FASTING IS BRINGING THE BODY UNDER SUBJECTION
FASTING CAN BE REGULAR
FASTING IS FOR CONFESSION
FASTING IS FOR READING THE BIBLE
FASTING IS FOR UNDERSTANDING DIFFICULT PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE>
FASTING IS FOR MOURNING FOR SIN
FASTING IS FOR REPENTANCE
FASTING IS FOR BREAKING UP THE FALLOW GROUND
FASTING IS FOR FINANCIAL NEEDS
FASTING IS FOR GUIDANCE
FASTING IS FOR TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
FASTING IS FOR THE TIME OF DESOLATION
FASTING IS FOR SOLEMN ASSEMBLIES>
FASTING IS SERVING GOD
FASTING IS FOR INTERCESSORS
FASTING IS TO GOD
FASTING SHOWS SINCERITY
FASTING IS FOR MISSIONS
FASTING IS FOR CHURCH MINISTRY
FASTING IS FOR AGRESSIVE EVANGELISTIC MINISTRY
FASTING IS FOR SPIRITUAL BATTLE
FASTING IS FOR SPIRITUAL POWER
FASTING IS FOR DELIVERANCE
FASTING IS FOR ENCOURAGEMENT
FASTING IS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE
FASTING IS BIBLICAL
FASTING INCREASES FAITH
FASTING INCREASES THE POWER OF PRAYER
FASTING IS GOOD FOR THE HEALTH
FASTING IS FOR POWER AND RESULTS
FASTING SAVES TIME
INTRODUCTION
All
verses are from the KJV of the Bible. Other versions are noted.
Ps 102:4
My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to
eat my bread.
FASTING IS FORGETTING SOME OF THE NECESSARY THINGS OF LIFE.
When one is overtaken by a situation, he can forget to eat. This is
one of the basic elements of fasting. Fasting occurs when a person
has a heavy burden, a great desire. A desire that is greater than
necessary things. It is an overwhelming concern as Ezra had over
the faithlessness of the exiles. Ezra 9 & 10, (9:3, 10:6)
"Then
Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber
of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat
no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the
transgression of them that had been carried away." (Ezra 10:6)
FASTING IS FOR REVIVAL.
Job said “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)
The word food is not in the original but the Hebrew
word has that sense. His words become more important than all our
necessities. Fasting occurs when a believer has a strong desire to
call upon God for some particular reason. The yearning believer is
willing to give up his necessary food in order to present himself
and his petition before The Living, Listening Christ. The same
Hebrew word is used by Delitsch in the Hebrew translation of the NT
of Matt 6:11, in the Lord’s Prayer, “our daily bread”. The word
bread is in Matt. The Hebrew of Matt 6:11 could be translated
“necessary bread.”
FASTING WILL HELP YOUR HEART AND FLESH AND SOUL CRY OUT TO GOD.
“My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD:
my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.” (Ps
84:2)
“And
if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold
cord is not quickly broken.” Fasting brings the flesh, (the body)
the soul and the mind (the spirit or the heart) into the prayer. In
fasting the body, soul and spirit have a greater possibility to be
in unison. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
I am often led to fast because of an intense desire to be alone with
Christ. When such a feeling comes upon me, I begin checking my
schedule to see when I can block off 2 months of time for a 30 or a
40-day fast. In this writing a day fast is a 24 hour period. As I
recall there was at least one and a half years once until I could
fulfill that desire. There were times when I had to wait a year. I
recall being in Czech in about 1995 in a church meeting and the
desire to be alone with Christ was so intense, that I had to find
time to schedule a long fast. That was in Ceskytesin with Oto
Zabystrzan. But it seems the soul was satisfied once it knew that
time had been set aside for me to be alone with Christ in fasting.
When
there are such needs,
FASTING IS A NATURAL REACTION OF THE BODY
AND SOUL.
FASTING SATISFIES THE DEEP LONGINGS OF THE SOUL.
“And
he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with
manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he
might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man
live.” (Deut 8:3)
Fasting helps the believer to understand that he does not live by
food alone. Our bodies need spiritual nourishment. Believers need
to read and study God’s Word. Fasting contributes to the spiritual
life of the believer. There are other sources of strength and life
than food. In a very difficult fast of 35 days & nights in
Sept.-Oct. 2003 this verse came more real to me. I was so weak and
hungry that I could only turn to God’s Word for strength and
encouragement. The whole chapter Dt 8 helped me understand the
trail I was in during the fast. I found Neh 8:10 also helpful in
this fast. “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Let us
remember “For my strength is made perfect in weakness…For when I am
weak, then am I strong.” 11 Cor 12:8-10 In a 30 day & night fast
Sept-Oct 2005 I experienced extreme hunger and had to often turn to
God. I sensed I was able to continue because of: the prayers of
many believers, reading of the Word of God, prayer, crying out to
God often in tears for grace to continue, singing and reading songs,
listening to Christian songs, and to messages on tape, the
encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and the joy of the Lord became my
strength (Neh 8:10). I was in great need of patience.
FASTING IS TRIBULATION. "And not only so, but we glory in
tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience." (Romans 5:3)
FASTING REQUIRES PATIENCE AND IT CREATES PATIENCE.
I have been fasting at least since 1963. I recall my pastor
Bob Gray of Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL in 1963 or
1964 asking me to join him in a fast for a day because of a
particular burden he had. I assume he asked me to join him
because of Jesus speaking “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them
of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt 18:19) Often in
Israel’s history, when there was a national emergency, a fast was
called for the whole nation.
God brought me through the Sept-Oct fast of 2005.
My physical and mental resources were exhausted. Once the time
of the fast is decided, then one is committed to that decision.
I thought several times during the 40-day fast of 2000 to break the
fast. In the beginning I broke several fasts. On one day
fasts, I sometimes get headaches. I know if I eat, the
headache will go away. A few times in the beginning, I did
eat. In my first three 30-day and three 40-day fasts between
1988 and 2000, and in the 37-day fast of 2001, and in the 35-day
fast of 2003, I do not recall having a headache. In the 21 day
fast of 2004, I had a headache for the first day and a half.
Perhaps because I had not fasted in several weeks. In the 30
day fast of 2005 I had no headache.
After breaking the fast, great care, patience and discipline is
required. One can not return immediately to normal eating habits.
I break the fast with diluted juice. For a fast of 7 days or more,
I drink juice for two days. Only on the third day so I eat
something like oatmeal and fruit. It is advised to return to normal
eating only after as many days as was the fast. Avoid eating meat
the first week after a fast of one week or more, especially fried
meat. I find it extremely difficult to control my eating after a
long fast. When I eat too much, I then get diarrhea. After
diarrhea you have to start all over again, to train the digestive
system to handle food. It is easy for the digestive system to stop
working, but not easy for it to start up after not working for some
time. A helpful rule would be to not eat too much at one time
during the first week of breaking the fast.
FASTING ITSELF IS POWERFUL. FASTING WITH AGREEING PRAYER IS VERY
POWERFUL.
Fasting and praying together is greater than praying without
fasting. (All things being equal.)
FASTING IS FOR EMERGENCIES.
While attending the wedding of an Israeli believer, Samuel, in
France in March 1999, I made a statement about fasting which I had
never made before. I said this to Mark a young French pastor.
Many things which I accomplished for Christ were done only because I
fasted.
FASTING GETS THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.
Now is
the time to fast
"Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the
Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said
unto them, Can the children of the bride chamber mourn, as long as
the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the
bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast". (Matt 9:14-15)
Also
found in Mk 2:18-20, Lk 5:33-35. The same teaching was important
enough to be mentioned 3 times.
FASTING IS FOR TODAY, FOR NOW.
The Bridegroom has been
taken from us, so now is the time to fast.
Matt 6:16-18 "Jesus said When ye fast, and when thou fastest".
In v. 2 He said "when thou doest alms", and v. 5 "when
thou prayest". As Jesus expects His followers to give alms, and
to pray, He expects them to fast.
Some
examples from the OT of fasting
1. The
disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees fasted. They knew
fasting from the OT example. Mk 2:18
2.
Moses receiving the Law
“And
he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did
neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the
words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” (Exod 34:28)
This was
at the beginning of a new dispensation. It was important that
everything be understood. The time Moses was to pass with God was
to be very intense. There were many details to receive. The Law of
God was received. He felt it necessary to fast.
FASTING IS FOR NEW BEGINNINGS.
Moses fasted a second time 40 days and
nights. Deut 9:18 25. This must have been by supernatural
intervention. The sins of Israel drove him again to fast. The
first 40 days & nights were for The Word, the second for the People.
Often
Christian workers are very busy and are not able to spend much time
with their families. So the time they do spend with them they try
to make it a special time. In the USA some call it “quality time”
with their family.
FASTING IS “QUALITY TIME” SPENT WITH GOD.
Fasting
without water is found: Ex 34:28, Esther 4:16, Ezr 10:6, Jonah 3:7.
Jesus did the same before beginning His public ministry. It is not
recorded whether He drank water or not. "The
Prophet that was to come was to come from among the Jewish people
was to be like Moses." (Deut 18:15)
"Then
was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of
the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights,
he was afterward an hungered." (Matt 4:1-2)
This is also recorded in Lk 4:1-2. Moses received the Law. Jesus
was about to begin the public work God has for Him to do. Are we
better prepared for our work than they? I think not. These
two men felt it necessary to fast 40 days and nights at crucial
times in their ministries. Our work is also important.
FASTING IS PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY.
Upon being expelled from Israel on May 1. 1988, I went to Crete and
had a 30-day & night fast before entering Turkey and Eastern
Europe. I have several times preceded my missionary trips with a
long fast. In Jan. 1990 and Nov. 1991 I fasted 40 days & nights.
In 1990 I made a trip into Eastern Europe. At the end of 1991, just
after the 40-day fast, I began a trip to Egypt, Jordan and then
continuing into 1992 to Eastern Europe, including Russia. By Jan
1993, I was in Massy, FR to study French. In 1992, I was arrested 9
times for giving out tracts. Eight times were in Kosovo, Serbia and
they all happened in 5 days! The 9th was in Egypt were I
was taken to court. In 1996 I tried to return to Egypt, but I was
not permitted to enter. A week before, I tried to get in Israel but
was refused. After being refused in both countries, I went to
Cyprus for a 7 day fast.
FASTING IS FOR ASSURANCE OF KNOWING GOD’S WILL
Judges
20:26 - Fasting occurred when Israel had been beaten by Benjamin for
the second time. Benjamin was being judged for their wickedness
against a Levite and his concubine. 40,000 of Judah had been killed
in this civil war. In 20:18 God had said Judah was to go against
Benjamin. The men of Israel wept and fasted until evening. Since
so many of their soldiers had been killed they wanted to be sure of
the next move. Vs 27-28 They offered burnt-offerings and
peace-offerings. God spoke again, saying that they should go again
against their brothers for He would give them victory this time.
There was a great slaughter in Benjamin that next day. Judah killed
25,000 Benjamites. Only 600 men were left alive. The children of
Israel fasted because they did not understand what God was doing.
They were told to go against Benjamin, but they were smitten down
two times. They were seriously searching God’s will and they wanted
to be sure they were doing the right thing. They got the
assurance. Fasting helped to clarify what God wanted and what He
would do. They fasted until the evening.
For four
years I distributed Bibles to Kibbutzim in Israel. I would go out
the day after my weekly fast day, so for a time I broke the fast in
the evening to be ready to go out early in the morning. My normal
practice is to fast the 3 meals of the day. I fast from midnight to
breakfast (= break the fast) about 33 hours later. The word for
breakfast in French is dejeuner, having the same meaning as
break-fast.
"During the time of Samuel’s ministry the people of Israel were
serving Baalim & Ashtaroth. They wanted to come back to God. They
turned from the idols to God. In the mean time the Philistines were
threatening Israel. Samuel gathered Israel to Mizpeh for confirming
their commitment. The people fasted and confessed their sins".
(I
Sam 7:6) Then the Philistines were ready to attack as they heard that
Israel was in Mizpeh. God honored the repentance of Israel and God
thundered with a great thunder on the Philistines and they were
discomfited. (I
Sam 7:10)
FASTING IS A TIME OF REDEDICATION.
11 Sam
1:12, 3:35
1 Ki 21
Fasting here occurs 3 times. Jezebel’s proclaimed fast was a false
fast.
I have gained some incite into fasting from Is 58,
which also presents the false fast. Naboth the Jezreelite refused
to give King Ahab his vineyard in Jezreel hard by the palace of Ahab
King of Samaria. Ahab was also King of Israel. Jezebel was his
wife. Jezreel is not in Samaria, but this was an additional palace
King Ahab had. Ahab was so set on having the vineyard, that when
Naboth refused, “Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased…And
he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would
eat no bread.” In 20:43 the same two words were used to describe
his sentiments when a son of the prophets told him that he would die
in Ben-hadad’s place, and his people in place of the Syrians. These
two disappointments were too much for Ahab. Ahab was wrong in
letting Ben-hadad escape and in wanting to take Naboth’s inheritance
of his fathers. In Lev 25:23 God said the land (of Israel) is mine
and it is not to be sold forever. Num 36:7 says the land can not
move from tribe to tribe. Each man was to stay in his tribe’s
territory. Ahab had reason to fast. But instead of seeking God’s
face in these matters, he let his wife Jezebel handle the matter.
She told the nobles of Jezreel to proclaim a fast and set Naboth on
high among the people. V 9 Jezebel had the people to fast. Fasting
is for serious matters. It also changes ones normal thinking. You
become more concentrated on matters. A proper fast helps the
believer to focus in on the matters needing prayer. Her plan worked
and the people listened to the two men who gave a false report about
Naboth. Jezebel used two Biblical principles: fasting and
establishing a matter with two witnesses. Naboth was killed. This
is an example of using fasting “to smite with the fist”, Is 58:4.
As Ahab arrived to take Naboth’s vineyard, Elijah was there to
announce to him the death of Ahab’s posterity and Jezebel’s death.
Now in v 27 we see Ahab responding in the right manner. He humbled
himself and fasted. God acknowledged his humility and delayed the
judgment until after his death. The word for humbleth himself has
the sense of bending the knee, and being concurred. Fasting is
natural under such circumstances.
Is 58 V. 1 commands the believers to cry aloud to the Jews showing
them their sins. One of the sins of those who professed faith was
hypocrisy. V. 2 tells what Israel pretends to be. I took note of
these pretensions in the 30-day fast of May 1988. They are good
qualities if actually done. Seek God daily. The word day is
repeated twice for emphasis. Delight to know His ways. This
delight is the same word used in Ps 40:8 to describe the Messiah’s
delight to do His father’s will. Do righteousness. Forsake not the
ordinances of God. May we strive to keep the principles of the
Scriptures. Ask of God the ordinances of justice. Let us do right,
be just. Take delight in approaching to God. Fasting will help you
to approach God. V. 3 They even fasted and afflicted their souls.
Proper fasting afflicts the soul. God did not acknowledge their
efforts. God criticized them for finding pleasure in fasting. The
same thought is expressed in v. 13 where they were doing their
pleasure on the Sabbath. Fasting is a spiritual exercise that has
great value. It is appreciated by those who know fasting. The
results are amazing. Fasting is a difficult physical experience.
As I write these thoughts about Is 58 I have been fasting for 22 and
a half hours. I have hunger pains. That is not pleasure. The
believer is wiling to go through the pain of fasting because he is
convinced of its spiritual values. One does not fast to get out of
something or some responsibility. One fasts to deal with problems
and to present needs to Christ. These two thoughts at the end of
v.3 are difficult for me to understand. The two questions asked in
v. 3 are good questions. The fasting Jews asked why God did not see
their fasting. God answers in v.4. V. 4 goes further into misuse
of the fast. They were fasting to inflict others. An example of
this is when Jezebel called a fast to bring about the death of
Naboth. 1 Kgs 21:12 Another example is when the more than 40 Jews
bound themselves to not eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
Acts 23:12-15 The goals and attitudes the fasters had in Is 58 were
not acceptable to God. The disciples James and John once wanted to
call down fire on some Samaritans who did not receive Jesus. Jesus
said in Lk 9:56 ‘For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s
lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.’ When a
Christian fasts he is seeking God’s will and His intervention. A
proper fast will make your voice to be heard on high. V.5
Jesus
deals with the false fast in Matt 6:16-18..
My Personal History
1.
While a student in Tennessee temple Schools from 1963-1966 I began
fasting for longer periods. I kept adding a day. A day of fasting
for me is a 24 hour period. As I recall, I tried the new number of
days several times before pushing on to the next level. I soon
reached 15 days, and then did 21. In 1966 I did 28 days. I was a
student, and had a job. At one stage I was fasting without water.
I then read that if Jesus did not drink water in His 40 day fast,
the NT would have said afterward He was thirsty and not an
hungered. Thirst is a greater discomfort than hunger. Once I
fasted 7 days and nights without water. My lips were cracked. On
the 7th day I taught Sunday School. I was able to talk
about 20 minutes when my throat went dry and I could not talk. I
left the long fasts for over 10 years. (1969-1980)
2. I
fasted one day a week during those years. I recall the day fasts in
Israel when I prayed for believers in Israel. That custom of
praying for believers in Israel during my one day weekly fast is
still being carried on. (2005) I do not always fast one day a week
while traveling. I recall a fast of at least 3 days in 1969 in
Israel. I think it was in1984 I had a 15 day fast in Israel. I
started in the Judean Hills just west of Jerusalem where I slept on
the ground, went to Mt. Carmel above Haifa, then Mt. Gilboa where
again I slept on the ground. Mt. Gilboa is above the Jezreel Valley
on its south east side. Saul & Jonathan died there. 1 Sam 31:1-6
I then finished on the north eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. I
recall finishing more than one fast on the shores of the Sea of
Galilee. It became my favorite place to finish fasts. Many of my
fasts in Israel were done at the Beraca Bible Presbyterian center
south of Bethlehem. Howie & Laverne Hurdle remember my long fasts
at Beracah. Olwen Jones was there as well.
3.
Upon being kicked out of Israel in 1988, I went straight to the
island of Crete for a 30-day fast. I was 46 years old. I had worked
15 years in Israel. During that fast I worked through the
difficulty of giving up Israel. I had committed myself to remain in
Israel until my death. I needed that 30-day & night fast to begin
letting Israel go. It took several more years to let go of Israel.
I imagine David had the same experience as he fasted 7 days lying on
the ground while his boy was dying. The boy died because of David’s
sin, and that was not easy to bear. 11 Sam 12:1-23 After the death
of the boy, he was ready to eat and return to his life. Probably
during the 7 days and nights of fasting David gave up his boy.
FASTING IS FOR THINKING THROUGH OR WORKING THROUGH DIFFICULT
SITUATIONS.
I imagine David got the thoughts of Ps 51 during
those 7 days & nights. In v.20 it is seen that after the fast was
over, David washed himself, then went to the Tempe to worship, and
only then did he go to eat. In my early years at TTS I needed money
for the school bill. If I did not pay, I would loose the whole
semester. One week before the start of the exams I told God I would
not eat or drink until He gave me the money. Seven days and nights
later I got the money. My first desire was not to drink. It was to
go get alone and praise God for what He had done for me. Afterwards
I returned to my dorm room and there was an orange waiting for me!
Fasting can be suggested for believers who go through a divorce or
for those in mourning after the loss of a loved one. The fast can
be a time of confession and forgiveness and inner healing and
release. In the Bible we see Jews fasting after the death of a
respected one: 11 Sam 1:12 for Saul & Jonathan, 11 Sam 3:35 for Abner.
4. My
third 40-day fast was in 2000 on Crete. I drink water when I fast.
I drink no juice nor do I take vitamins. I normally take high blood
pressure medicine. I do not take it during the fast. In Oct-Nov
2001 I fasted 37 days. This was to be a 40-day fast, but for the
first time I had physical complications so terminated the fast
before its intended end. Four times I fasted 30-days: 1988, 1995,
1998 and 2005. That is as of 2005. My first 40-day & night fast
was in Lakeland, FL. All the rest of the 30 and 40-day & night
fasts, including the 37-day were on the Island of Crete. There was
a 35-day & night fast in Sept.-Oct., 2003 and a 21 day & night fast
in Sept.-Oct., 2004, both were on Crete.
5. I
have presented the subject of fasting two times to the Baptist
church in Roshiori de Vede, RO. On Feb. 25, 99 I passed a 10-day
fast there to encourage them in fasting. There was a call for a
fast among French speaking churches of 3 days beginning on Feb. 25,
99. It was a fast for suffering Christians worldwide. That 3-day
fast was called an Esther fast, for it was at the time of Purim.
Esther had a 3-day fast. Esther 4:15-16. Because of this fast by
some French speaking believers I chose to start my fast on the same
day. In Rosiori the unemployment rate was about 85-90%. We had
good turn outs to the prayer sessions. We began at 6:30AM to give
the high schoolers a chance to pray. I stayed in the church until
about 2 PM. During the 40-day fast of 2000, the church in Rosiori
de Vede had someone fasting each day of my 40-day fast. They were
praying for me. I needed those prayers. In 2001 they were not
praying for me as they did in 2000, and I did not make the 40 days.
a. In
Sept. 2002 I did a 10-day fast at Calvary Bible Church in Ellerslie,
MD. Church members came in to pray with me, mainly in the morning.
I started at 8 AM. Pastor Korns came to begin the prayer time with
me. Br. Ralph Frantz was there almost each day as well. Eleven
different members came to pray with me. Forty-five members
submitted prayer requests for me to prayer over. One sister who had
been recently saved was blessed in trying to fast. She had a
serious problem with eating too much before her salvation. She
noted an improvement after her salvation. She was surprised she
could go 17 hours without eating on the first day of the fast.
Towards the end of the 10-days, she was so happy to report that she
had been 30 hours without food. She may have gone beyond that. A
15 day fast is planned for 2006 in this same church.
b. In
July 2003 in Iasi, RO I was encouraged by a church’s interest in
fasting. They wanted to know what led me to fast and why did I
fast. When this church was meeting in a home, they asked me how
they could raise the money to build a building. I told them about
fasting. They liked the idea. They now have a nice building! A
similar opportunity was given in Brasov, RO at the Craiter Church in
July, 2005.
Some examples from the last 500 years.
1.
Reformers as Leuther (1530), Calvin (1509-1564) and Knox of Scotland
fasted. Jonathan Edwards an American preached his sermon Sinners in
the Hands of an Angry God while he was weak from fasting. David
Brainerd missionary to the American Indians fasted.
2.
Charles Finney, about 1860 fasted. He had a keen sense of the Holy
Spirit’s fullness. When he lost that fullness, he stopped eating
until it came back.
3. John Wesley said when he felt his power waning and a coldness
coming over his heart, he fasted & prayed a few days and God heard
and answered.
4. J.
Harold Smith an American who died in 2001 practiced fasting. After
leaving the pastorate he entered evangelism. He soon found that he
did not have the power to win the lost in his meetings. He
understood that he would have to fast 40-days and nights to get that
power. He drank only water, eating no food for those 40-days and
received the power to win the lost. He wrote a booklet on fasting.
He said his best evangelistic meetings were those in which he fasted
from the time he got on the air plane to go to the meeting, to the
time he got back on the plane to return home. Br. Smith in his book
gives suggested food to eat when breaking a long fast.
5.
Lester Roloff encouraged fasting. He encouraged the students at
Tenn. Temple Schools in the 1960’s to fast one day a week. I have
followed that practice. Br. Roloff wrote a booklet on fasting. It
is titled Food, Fasting & Faith. He spoke of the value of a
juice fast. In a fast with no food, he encouraged drinking much
water. A complete fast is going without any sort of food or
liquid. I understand Bill Bright suggests a juice fast as well.
Bill Bright wrote a book on fasting. Christian Literature Crusade
in Fort Washington, PA 19034, sells at least 2 books on fasting.
One is GOD’S CHOSEN FAST by Arthur Wallis
FASTING IS FOR SETTING THE OPPRESSED FREE, AND FOR UNDOING THE HEAVY
BURDENS.
In anguish of soul. Hannah yearning for a child stopped
eating, 1 Sam 1:6-8. I can think of 3 women I know who are grieved
because they have no child. Note Hannah’s fasting was accompanied
by tears.
Do you have a heavy burden? Is a member of your family
lost? Is a friend bound by evil spirits and or evil actions? Is a
member of your family an alcoholic? a drug addict? Are you faced
by danger? Are you bound by a sin? Do you have friends who are
seriously sick? Your fasting prayers can help in such situations.
Perhaps the lesbian or the homosexual’s last chance is the fasting
prayer. The fasting prayer can bring a backslider back into the
church and the Christian life.
FASTING FOR BACKSLIDERS IS STRATEGIC.
“Is
not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of
wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go
free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isa 58:6) This is the key
verse about fasting. Is 58 deals with fasting, especially the
fast rejected by God. Attitude is important in fasting. Jesus
dealt with this problem in Matt 6:16-18. But after dealing with the
false fast God gives a clear statement as to what proper fasting can
accomplish. That is found in verse 6 just quoted.
Saul at
death’s door fasted. 1 Sam 28:7-25 Saul had not eaten all the day
and all the night (20). Saul was distressed (15) because the
Philistines made war against him and God had departed from him. The
medium brought up Samuel who reminded Saul of his sins and that God
had departed from him. Samuel told Saul he and his sons would be
with Samuel tomorrow. Saul was desperate and distressed. It was a
natural time to fast. The witch and Saul’s men had to force Saul to
eat (23-25).
David
grieved for his dying son. The son was dying because David had
conceived him in adultery. 2 Sam 12:13-23
These 7
days of fasting (v 18) were for David a time of seeking God. It was
a time of returning to God. I believe also a time of inner mental
healing for David. It was also a time of intercession for the life
of the child.
FASTING IS FOR TIMES OF
DESPERATION. David was
desperate.
FASTING IS A TIME OF KEEPING AN URGENT MATTER
BEFORE GOD.
I am reminded of Jesus’ parable of the unjust judge
and the widow who insisted her case be heard. Luke 18:1-6. Jesus
taught this parable to instruct believers to always pray and not to
faint.
FASTING IS TAKING HOLD OF THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR.
There were two altars related to the
Tabernacle. The larger was outside the tent. It was the altar of
burnt offering. The smaller one was inside the tent in the Holy
Place next to the veil which led to the Holy of Holiest. It appears
to me both are mentioned in Lev 4:17-18. The first one is near the
vail in the tabernacle and the second one is the altar of burnt
offering where all the blood of the sin offering was poured. In Lev
4:25 blood of the sin offering is put on the horns of the altar of
burnt offering and then the rest is poured out at the bottom of the
altar.
The altar of incense was smaller than the altar of
burnt offering. Ex 27:1 gives the dimensions of the altar of the
burnt offering. It is also called the brazen altar. It was 5
cubits long and 5 broad. It was 3 cubits high. One cubit = 1 foot
5.48 inches, or 45 cm, though some put it at 55 cm. Which means the
altar of burnt offering was four and a half feet high. Ex 30:2
gives the dimensions of the altar of incense. It was 1 cubit long
and broad. It was 2 cubits high, which is 3 feet (1 meter).
Zacharias was on the right side of the altar of incense when the
angel of the Lord appeared to him to announce that Elizabeth would
have a son. Lk 1:10-13 From Lev 4:17-18 it appears blood was also
sprinkled on the altar of incense.
The horn was from an ox or a ram. It was a symbol of strength,
might and power. It is an image taken from bulls and other animals
which push with their horns. The ram’s horn was used for the shofar,
to make a noise. In Amos 3:14 God’s judgment is to fall on
Beth-el. To mark this judgment, the horns of the altar shall be cut
off and fall to the ground.
Adonijah tried to take the Kingdom when David was dying. While
Adonijah had his feast to celebrate him as king, Solomon was
proclaimed king! Adonijah feared Solomon and headed for the horns
of the altar! 1 Kings 1:50-53 Says of Adonijah “they brought him
down from the altar.” To bring him down from the altar would seem
more likely to be the brazen altar. With the fire burning it would
be a hot place to hold on to.
Soon after Adonijah was holding onto
the horns of the altar, Joab was as well. Joab had sided with
Adonijah to make him king. 1 Kings 2:28-34 Joab caught hold of the
horns of the altar. Verse 29 says he “was fled unto the tabernacle”
and that “he is by the altar”. Joab refused to “come forth” so
Benaiah went in and got him.
Holding on to the horns of the altar was a place of pleading for
grace, for ones life and for pardon. Those who went there were
desperate. Fasting is for the same. It is for life threatening
situations.
FASTING IS A TIME OF PRAYING FOR THE SICK
Adding fasting in our prayers for the sick is helpful.
Fasting
is important in freeing those bound by demons. "The boy
was a lunatic and sore vexed. The disciples could not cast out the
devil so they asked Jesus why they could not. And Jesus said
unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If
ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and
nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not
out but by prayer and fasting." (Matt 17:14-21)
Horatio
Guy who was a fellow seminary student had dealt with demons in the
Philippines. He said it is necessary to fast when dealing with
demons. He said a backslider should not be present when casting out
demons.
FASTING IS FOR
CHANGING THE MIND OF GOD.
See also Jonah 3:7-10. David was not able to change the mind of
God, but the Ninevites did change God’s mind.
In
the Acts 27:33 of the NT, 276 men despaired of their lives. For 14
days while they still had life, they ate nothing. God delivered
them all.
FASTING IS HEARD ON HIGH. See Is 58:4.
FASTING AND WEEPING GO TOGETHER.
1. We
saw how Hannah wept and fasted. 1 Sam 1:8
2.
David fasted and wept for his dying child. 11 Sam 12:21-23
3. Ps
69:10 A Psalm of David “When I wept and chastened my soul with
fasting.”
4.
Ester 4:3 When the Jews learned of their death penalty issued by
Haman and King Ahasuerus (3:8), they fasted, wept and wailed. Jews
all over the kingdom of Ahasuerus fasted.
Group fasting was practiced in the OT and in the
NT. Note what Ester did when she learned of the fate of her people.
4:16-17 She was willing at the risk of her life to go before the
King to try to save her people. But in the face of death, in a
desire to escape death, and to gain her people’s lives, she
proclaimed a 3 day fast, with no drinking. She did not want to go
before the King without fasting. She also did not want to fast
alone.
FASTING IS FOR THE TIME OF DANGER.
FASTING IS FOR
LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS, IT IS NATURAL TO FAST AT SUCH TIMES.
CORPORATE OR GROUP FASTING IS ESPECIALLY BLESSED OF GOD.
A
THREE-FOLD CORD IS NOT QUICKLY BROKEN: PRAYER,
FASTING AND
AGREEMENT. Ecls 4:12
Joel
called the priests to an all night fast because there were no meat
and drink offerings being given."Sanctify
ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the
inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry
unto the LORD." (Joel 1:14)
FASTING IS FOR A TIME OF SPIRITUAL UNFAITHFULNESS.
FASTING IS HOLY.
Then God called the Jews to be ready for the judgment of God.
"Therefore also now, saith the LORD,
turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with
weeping, and with mourning:
And
rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your
God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great
kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he
will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat
offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly." (Joel
2:12-15 )
There were no meal or drink offerings. Therefore a fast was
sanctified. (Joel 1:13-14)
FASTING CAN STOP JUDGEMENT.
This can be seen clearly in the
judgment pronounced on Nineveh by Jonah.
David
practiced fasting.
1. 11
Sam 1:12
2. 11
Sam 3:35
3. 11
Sam 12:
4. Ps
35:13 David humbled his soul with fasting. FASTING
HUMBLES THE SOUL.
5. Ps
69:10
6. Ps
109:24 David’s knees were weak through fasting, and he had no fat
at that time. I have seen times when my knees buckle (give in)
because of fasting. I assume from David’s statement in v 24 that he
practiced long fasts. It also takes some days before one notices
that he is losing fat. I am overweight so it takes me longer to
notice it than people of a proper weight. I loose about 20 kgs when
I fast 40 days. In 10-day fast of 2002 I lost about 15 pounds in
10 days.
FASTING WEAKENS THE BODY BUT STRENGTHENS THE SOUL.
FASTING
IS PRAYING IN WEAKNESS.
God
recognizes your earnestness when He sees that you are fasting.
There are times when God comes down to see what is going on. Gnu
18:20-21 As in the case of Sodom.
FASTING IS A TIME OF PRAISE. (2 Chron 20)
FASTING IS FOR THE FEARFUL.
2 Chron
20 - A fast was proclaimed (v 3), because 3 armies were approaching
Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat feared and therefore fasted.
FASTING IS ASKING HELP OF GOD. (v 4) "They asked help of
God".
FASTING IS SEEKING THE LORD. "They sought the Lord".
FASTING RELEASES THE POWER OF GOD. In v 6-12 is recorded Jehoshaphat’s prayer. This was a fasting prayer.
FASTING IS FOR AFFLICTION. (v 9) "They called out unto God
in their affliction".
FASTING IS FOR KEEPING YOUR POSSESSIONS. (v 11)
FASTING IS FOR THE WEAK (v 12) “no might”.
FASTING HELPS YOU KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD. “But our eyes are upon thee.”
FASTING IS PUTTING GOD FIRST. (v) 13
Praise puts God first. God and
what He wants is more important than anything else.
FASTING IS STANDING BEFORE GOD. (v 13) All their “little ones” were there.
At the
meetings in Rosiori de Vede in Feb. 99 a boy of about 11 asked me if
fasting is for children. I said yes with the parents’ permission.
I think this boy comes to the meetings without his parents. Pastor
Ion Toni thought of the fast of Nineveh. Jonah 3:7-10 Neither man
nor beast was permitted to eat or to drink. This may have included
the children.
FASTING IS VICTORY. (vs 14-16) God answered and said He would
fight the battle. .
FASTING IS STANDING STILL. Ps 46:10
FASTING IS A TIME OF WORSHIP. (v 17) Jehoshaphat worshipped. (v
18) Then the praise began. (vs 19-22) They sang and praised The Lord
as they marched to the battle.
FASTING IS A TIME OF PRAISE! AND A TIME OF SINGING.
FASTING IS A TIME OF TAKING THE SPOILS. (v 25)
FASTING IS A TIME OF BLESSING THE LORD. (v 26)
FASTING IS A TIME OF JOY. (v 27)
I
started in the early 90’s giving the next to the last day of a long
fast to only praise. I did not offer any prayer requests on that
day. I sang songs, read scripture, and let the scriptures guide me
in my praise. I walked worshipping Our Risen Glorious Christ. I
walked and offered thanksgiving. In 1995 I sensed the fast of 1996
would be a fast of praise. It was a 15 day fast. I took the 7 days
of rejoicing of the Feast of Tabernacles as my guide. Lev 23:40b.
I tried to rejoice before God for 7 days, 7 hours each day. Most of
the time I walked and praised God and the Lamb. In the 30 day fast
of 1998 the Feast of Tabernacles fell during the fast so I took
those 7 days of the feast to praise the Lord for 7 hours each day.
God the Father and God the Son await our praises. In the 40-day
fast of 2000 again during the Feast of Tabernacles, I praised God
and His Lamb for the 7 days of the feast for 7 hours per day.
What
happens when we are filled with the Spirit? Eph 5:18-20.
Psalms, hymns, songs, singing are what the Spirit leads the
worshipper into.
FASTING HELPS IN THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE AGAINST THE DEVIL AND HIS
DEMONS.
FASTING ALSO HELPS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST THE WORLD AND THE FLESH.
FASTING IS BRINGING THE BODY UNDER SUBJECTION.
1
Cor 9:24-27 Paul wanted to “keep under my body, and bring it into
subjection.”
FASTING CAN BE REGULAR
A one day
fast each month Zech 8:19
a.
These times (moadim) were of joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts.
b. Many Christians have greatly benefited from a one day fast each
week.
FASTING IS FOR CONFESSION.
Nehm 9:1-3 The Jews fasted, stood and confessed. It is helpful to
begin the fast with confession. It was a natural way to get close
to God for the fast.
FASTING IS FOR READING THE BIBLE. Then they read the Word of
God. (Nehm 9:1-3)
FASTING IS FOR UNDERSTANDING DIFFICULT PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE
Dan 9:1-23 Daniel understood from Jeremiah that Israel had 70
years in the desolations of Israel (v 2). He sought understanding
of these years and therefore fasted. He naturally started with
confession. (vs 2-3).
FASTING
IS FOR MOURNING FOR SIN. (Ezra 10:6)
Yom HaKippurim, Day of Atonement, Lev 16. In v. 29 the Jews were to
afflict their souls. The Jews understand this to mean fasting.
Ezra 8:21 ¶ Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava,
that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a
right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our
substance.
FASTING IS FOR REPENTANCE. Yom HaKippurim, Day of
Atonement is a Day of confession and repentance.
FASTING IS FOR BREAKING UP THE FALLOW GROUND.
Jrm 4:3 Hos 10:12 It brings the heart out of hardness into
openness to God ‘s word, and His will.
Far too many times I have experienced that I was only able to accept
God’s will in a particular matter while fasting. A striking example
was in Feb-May 2005. I was pressed. Time was too short for all I
had on my heart. June 1, I would leave again for the 8 month trip.
I sensed I needed to go to Israel for 2 weeks. I said no. I fought
it. While fasting on my one day a week, I gained grace and
surrendered to the will of God. I decided I would go to Israel. I
needed to clear out all my things from Beit el Beraka, which had
been sitting there for too many years. It took 6 days to clear them
out. I had been already working on them on previous visits,
especially the books.
FASTING IS FOR FINANCIAL NEEDS. Here is the missionary’s
resource.
In
March and April 1999, I needed extra gifts of money, beyond that
which I normally receive. Since my yearly summer trips to East
Europe beginning in 1990, I made for the first time a winter trip in
1999. With my credit card I drew on April’s funds in March. I
began praying and during my fast days I brought my financial needs
before our Heavenly Father. On May 25, a French sister who has
never given to me before, sent me about $1666! Endless praises unto
Our All sufficient Faithful God and Our Able Savoir Jesus Christ!
Two
or three days before a 30 day fast in 1998, I was with a Greek
missionary couple in Athens. They are George & Aleca Dragotas.
Their car was no longer dependable. In 1989 they were already
having trouble and a brother said he would help them to get another
car. Nothing was again said about this. Aleca asked me to pray for
another car during my fast. After the fast I came to stay in their
home. While I was there they received a call from the brother who
had said he would help them. He said he would put $20,000 in their
account! They got a 1997 Subaru 4 wheel drive!
The 30 day fast of 2005 was characterized by deep callings out unto
Christ for finances. I was given extra finances for Sept. One gift
was $2000. By the time I left BG on Sept 2, most of it was gone.
A missionary can not normally work for money. I suggest he try to
get the money he needs by fasting for it. I encourage this method
rather than depending on asking God’s people for it. I do share
financial needs of some with whom I am working. We are encouraged
to trust God for our finances. If we give, God will give to us “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philip
4:19) That was a promise to the Philippian church which had
supported Paul financially. God would re-supply them for they had
given to Paul. God will supply through the body of Christ, but we
want God to do it, not just the body of Christ. As God supplies I
feel free to share it as a testimony of His faithfulness.
FASTING IS FOR GUIDANCE.
Ezra
8:21-23 - Ezra fasted with Israel to seek from God a right way.
Also see Is 58:11.
FASTING IS FOR TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY.
Is
58:11 - After fasting in the proper manner God promised to guide
continually.
FASTING IS FOR THE TIME OF DESOLATION.
Joel 1:13-14 - There were no meal or drink offerings. Therefore a
fast was sanctified.
FASTING IS FOR SOLEMN ASSEMBLIES.
For the transition from the OT to the NT, let us
observe Anna who saw the baby Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38). She had been a widow for 84 years. She served God
with fasting and prayers night and day. The Jewish fast was night
and day. The Muslims fast is only during the day.
FASTING IS SERVING GOD
I see in Anna a mighty ministry for sisters. Especially for widows
or sisters who never married. (Lk 2:37) And she was a widow of
about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple,
but served God with fasting and prayers night and day.
FASTING IS FOR INTERCESSORS.
Mat 6:16-18 Jesus teaching on fasting.
a. v
16 “When you fast.” He expected His disciples to fast.
b. v
18 Appear not unto men to fast, but fast unto God. We fast not to
be seen of men, but to be heard by God. When men see our fasting,
it can be a testimony to them. Moses recorded his fast. Jesus’
fast is given to us. Paul spoke of his fasting. It is recorded in
the book of Acts that the early church practiced prayer with
fasting. Acts 13:2-3, 14:23
FASTING IS TO GOD.
Acts 10:30 Cornelius fasted, and he prayed and his prayers were
heard. Peter was in prayer and became hungry. Perhaps he was
fasting. But before he could eat he fell asleep and God spoke to
him. He was told to go to the Gentile Cornelius. In 10:22 it is
clear that Cornelius was in close contact with the Jewish people.
He was acting on the light which he had received from the Jews. And
God gave him further revelation.
FASTING SHOWS SINCERITY. Cornelius’ earnestness was
clearly seen in his fasting and he was wonderfully rewarded.
FASTING IS FOR MISSIONS.
Acts 13:2-3 The first
missionaries were chosen during fasting and praying by leaders and
others of the church in Antioch. Here is the beginning of the
missionary movement. May this movement continue to use fasting.
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had
prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they
believed. (Acts 14:23)
The first
missionaries used fasting and praying to strengthen the elders and
the churches they founded. The missionaries' ministry began with
fasting and prayer and they continued fasting and praying in their
labors for Christ and His Church.
FASTING IS FOR CHURCH MINISTRY.
(1 Cor 7:5) Paul expected the believers to fast. He said that when
husband and wife fast they should not have sex. Fasting creates a
unique bond between the believer and God. The believer has deep
concerns which have driven him to fast. The faster is to keep
Christ before him in his fast.
Paul fasted often. (2 Cor 11:27-28) In spite of the fact that he
was often hungry, he still had fasts.
FASTING IS FOR AGRESSIVE EVANGELISTIC MINISTRY.
The fasts were necessary in his aggressive evangelistic ministry.
Paul was willing to add to his sufferings, fasting. He was so
convinced of its effectiveness. He needed
power. (Eph 6:12)
FASTING IS FOR SPIRITUAL BATTLE. The
believer’s spiritual battle is against Satanic forces and
wickedness.
FASTING IS FOR SPIRITUAL POWER. (Mark 3:22-27) Satan is the
strong man and must be bound before we go in and take possession of
that which is bound.
All my
bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the
poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the
needy from him that spoileth him? (Ps
35:10)
FASTING IS FOR DELIVERANCE.
Those who are bound have great
difficulty delivering themselves. They need help. The believers’
fasting prayers are what they need. Paul wanted God to go before
him, preparing the way and the work.
FASTING IS FOR ENCOURAGEMENT. Paul needed encouragement.
FASTING IS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE. We have noted several
men who fasted. They proved their love to God and to men by their
fasting.
FASTING IS BIBLICAL. We have seen fasting in the OT and
the NT.
My Observations
FASTING INCREASES FAITH The combination of the fasting body and
the believing prayer increases faith. This has to do with the
nature of our human body.
FASTING INCREASES THE POWER OF PRAYER.
FASTING IS GOOD FOR THE HEALTH.
I can not speak with the knowledge of a
doctor. I am convinced fasting is good for the health. That is if
one is able to fast. There are physical problems in the body, which
make it unwise for that person to fast. Fasting eliminates toxic
poisons from the body. I knew a man who sprayed oranges, and after
spraying he would fast for 3 days to get the chemicals out of his
body. Fasting gives the digestive organs a rest. Fasting cleanses
the body. Drinking water helps to cleanse the body. The breath
will smell, and the cleansing process may create a back ache, or
head ache especially in the first day or two. It usually takes my
body 6 to 7 days to clean itself. I sense the change as I receive
more strength as the body has stopped working to clean itself.
FASTING IS FOR POWER AND RESULTS.
For power and results, the longer the fast the better. I sense the
blessing and power is accumulative. The more time of the fast
consecrated to prayer the Word and praise the better. In Is 58:3
the faster is warned not to “find pleasure” during the fast. In v.
13 the same expression is used for the Sabbath. I put a limit to
the fast: 40 days. Beyond that it is dangerous for the body. I
believe the human body was designed for a 40 day fast.
FASTING SAVES TIME.
There is no preparing of food, neither cooking, eating nor cleaning
up. I have tried when fasting and continuing my regular schedule,
to stop for meal time to read the Word and to pray.
Conclusion
Fasting
is taught in the Bible, OT and NT. Christians have used fasting
through the centuries. As we approach the last days of the age of
grace, Satan is working hard to gain people and ground. He is
mightily opposing the work of the church.
"Therefore
rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the
inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down
unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a
short time". (Rev 12:12)
We need
the power and the help of God. Fasting will help the church to have
God’s power and His help. We need our prayers answered. Jesus said
that when the bridegroom is gone then we should fast. Now is the
time of fasting, just before His return.
This
message as originally written I preached and it was translated into
Romanian by Rodica Hortupanu in Feb. 1999. She died in the summer
of 99. I dedicate this message to her memory. She was in full time
youth work.
I highly suggest to the Church of Jesus Christ fasting: for
individuals and for church groups.
Michael
David Bentley Feb. 15, 1999, Updated from time to time.
Fasting is weakness.
CMC P.O. BOX 12964
Houston, TX
77217-2964 USA |