WHAT’S FASTING, ANYWAY?

Fasting is a spiritual exercise where you give up the craving of the flesh because of a greater need of the spirit. By fasting, you demonstrate to God that your desire to meet spiritual needs is greater than your de¬sire to meet physical needs.

To fast, simply use the time you would have taken to eat or watch television or whatever you’ve chose to fast from, and instead use it for spiritual enablement through prayer, meditation and praise.

Bear in mind, the Christian primarily fasts for spiritual purposes and not for health reasons. Obeying spiritual principles can produce positive physical results, but they are added blessings.

The Scriptures (Matt 6:16-18) shows us that the Lord drank water but did not eat food, for it says that after forty days he was hungry. The nor¬mal fast is without food, drinking water only.

There are also absolute fasts recorded in the Bible. Upon Saul’s conversion in Acts 9:9, he immediately went on an absolute fast for three days, having neither food nor water.
“For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything” (NIV).

The Lord did not set up any specific duration that we are to fast, but from his teachings, we see that he did expect us to fast.

Fasting can be done for one meal, one day, one month or for however long God leads. It depends on how the Holy Spirit speaks to us.

Many people believe that fasting is to move the hand of God, when in actuality it is to make Satan turn loose of the things he is holding.

Different kinds of fasts:
(1.) Normal Fast - No food, water only.
(2.) Absolute Fast - Absolutely no food or water (Caution: Should not be undertaken over 3 days and only then if you have a clear directive from the Lord and are in good health).
(3.) Partial Fast - Abstinence from certain kinds of foods, or anything you highly value.
(4.) Juice Fast - Fruit and vegetable juices only.

II. WHY FAST?
What does fasting accomplish that won’t happen if I simply pray? Fasting helps to subordinate our fleshly desires to our spiritual ones. It shows humility and de¬pendence, and demonstrates to God how se¬rious we are about a matter.

1. Fasting is a primary means of restoration. By humbling us, fasting releases the Holy Spirit to do His revival work within us.
2. Fasting reduces the power of self so that the Holy Spirit can do a more in-tense work within us.
3. Fasting helps to purify us spiritually.
4. Fasting increases our spiritual reception by quieting our minds and emotions.
5. Fasting brings a yieldedness, even a holy brokenness, resulting in an inner calm and self-control.
6. Fasting renews spiritual vision.
7. Fasting inspires determination to follow God’s revealed plan for your life.

Of the sixty-six books in the Old and New Testaments, 30 of them mention fasting. It seems to have been practiced for a variety of reasons.

What happens when you get hun¬gry? Ignore the pangs and determine to pray through them. But bear in mind that when you fast, you are engaged in spiritual warfare! Satan hates to see believers deny their flesh. He will do everything he can to stop you.

Fasting builds our faith. Matthew 17:21. Fasting also makes it easier for us to hear the voice of the Lord Acts 13:2-3. Fasting reminds us that we are nour¬ished by the Word of God, not by bread alone. John 4:32,34. Fasting can bring about breakthroughs in the spiritual realm that will never happen in other ways.