03. Fasting
We started this year with a time of corporate prayer and fasting. Remember that we aren’t studying this book just so we can learn about fasting, nor any of the other disciplines. We are walking through this together so that each of our spiritual formations can be built up through the ongoing practice of each of these disciplines. So, don’t let the only time you fast be when we call a corporate fast! You can and should have regular times of your own individual fasting.
Fasting is abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.
Types of Fasts
When we couple prayer and fasting together, we take our relationship with God to a whole different level. Fasting and prayer allows us to prioritize our relationship with the Lord. Fasting and prayer transform us spiritually and physically. It also connects us with God on a deeper level. As we empty ourselves, we hear His voice more clearly and His Word takes a different spin—it becomes more alive and we get revelation, understanding, and new perspective of the Word and our situations. I love to fast because it causes me to pause from the busyness of life and focus on God and hear His voice more clearly.
There are nine different fasts found in the Bible.
Disciples Fast
This fast is one that frees one from addictions to sin or besetting sins as referred to in Hebrews 12:1. In Mark 9, Christ’s disciples were frustrated because they could not cast out an evil spirit. Jesus said in Mark 9:29 “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting”. Through fasting and prayer, we can break free from the addictions and habits that are not pleasing to God. As Christians, we are responsible to be free. James 5:16 tells us to “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen. NCV” . This year, we pray that you offer your body to the Lord so that you can serve, witness, and do what He has called you to do.The Ezra Fast
Ezra found himself in a difficult situation. He needed God’s protection and divine direction. When you are in a bad situation and don’t know what to do or which way to go, don’t quit and throw in the towel; instead, fast and pray. Ezra had 7500 lbs. of gold and silver to take to Jerusalem but there was only one problem – thieves (Ezra 8:21). We know that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give us abundant life. Maybe you feel like thieves have stolen what belongs to you financially, relationally, professionally, or physically. When Ezra was faced with this great problem, he declared a fast and God answered his prayer. (Ezra 8:23) God showed him the way. God is our Extraordinary Strategist (Isaiah 9:6 TPT) and He will show you ways to overcome every situation, and He will bless you as well. John 14:13-14 tells us “For I will do whatever you ask me to do when you ask me in my name. And that is how the Son will show what the Father is really like and bring glory to him. Ask me anything in my name, and I will do it for you!” TPT. Unlike Ezra we have Jesus, and we can pray and ask in His Name!The Samuel Fast
When the Philistines were preparing to attack Israel, Samuel declared a fast for a national revival. Samuel told the people to fast and seek God to return His presence to the nation. (1Samuel 7:3-6) They still attacked him. Fasting agitates the devil so you can expect trouble to come as you fast but use the Word on him like Jesus did. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God tells us “If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” We can return God’s presence and glory to our personal lives and our nation(s), as we fast, pray and seek Him.The Elijah Fast
This is one of the most powerful fasts because it breaks negative mental and emotional problems and habits. In 1 Kings 19:4 we learn Jezebel sent word to Elijah that she was going to kill him. He became so upset that he was an emotional wreck. He became depressed and even suicidal. But God send an angel to Elijah and instructed him to journey back into the presence of God. The Bible says that Elijah fasted for forty days and forty nights. God delivered him from feelings of suicide and fear. God gave him hope, courage, and direction. Whether you suffer from emotional bad habits, a negative self-image, fear, insecurities, depression, or some other emotional bondage, fasting and praying will help you open your heart and mind to hear the still small voice of God.The Widow’s Fast
This fast is about sharing our bread with the hungry and poor. In 1 Kings 17:10-16. We read the story about a poor woman with very little food who helped Elijah. It was all part of God’s plan. She was gathering sticks, and the prophet came and said, “give me the last meal you have, and she said, “No, I am going to eat it with my son and die.” How many times do we say no to God when He asks us to do something. The good news is that this woman, changed her mind. She made a choice to fast along with her family so that someone else could eat. In Isaiah 58:6-7, God’s chosen fast, we read “is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out.” In Matthew 6 Jesus commanded that we give, pray and fast. When will do all these, we are close to God and He is close to us. Like with this widow, God will multiply and bless us. Her barrel was multiplied, and it lasted her three and half years! If you have a financial need pray for others and ask God how you can be a blessing to others in need.The Paul Fast
In Acts 9:3-6, Saul was going the wrong way in life. He was hunting down followers of Christ and persecuting them when the light of God’s truth knocked him off his path. He was headed to Damascus when he was struck down and for three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank (Act 9:9). Saul didn’t know what to do, but he fasted for God’s divine direction. Maybe today you are faced with a major decision and don’t know what to do? Maybe you have a job opportunity, a broken relationship, or an unfulfilled dream. The Word tells us to pray about everything for God has good plans for each of and He delights in our success. As a result of the fast, Paul got the direction he needed and so can you. When you are faced with a major decision fast and pray and your light will break forth as the morning (Isaiah 58:8) in the areas that are dark and confusing. God will supernaturally lead you the way you should go.The Daniel Fast
The purpose of this fast is for a healthy lifestyle that will produce healing and long life and for supernatural breakthroughs. In the book of Daniel, we see that he fasted two different times. Once for 10 days and second time for 21 days. The first time was for health benefits and the second time was because there was a spiritual battle in the heavenlies. It is important to note that Daniel was a praying man. He prayed three times a day. These fasts yield health, healing and victory in the spiritual realm. I’ve heard of several testimonies of people that have gotten off their high BP and diabetes meds after doing the 21-day Daniel fast. (Please consult your doctor before doing a fast or getting off any medications.)The John the Baptist Fast
John and his disciples fasted often according to Matthew 9. He was on the Nazarite diet which fasted alcohol all the time. Because of John’s constant fasting, he had a greater testimony and influence on the lives of people in his generation than any other man (Matthew 11:1 and John 1:6-7). John was consistent. He was disciplined. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us “Make your life a prayer.” TPT If we don’t know how to do that, then John and Jesus are our examples. The purpose of this fast is so that your influence will grow with people, in certain areas, and so others can see more of Jesus’s character in you. The more influence we have the more impact we can have for Christ.The Esther Fast
This fast is for protection against danger. I call this the “Power of One” fast. Esther fasted and prayed and as a result God saved a whole nation. She was bold and brave. She said if I die, I die but I am going all in. Her cousin told her what if you were born for such a time as this – to save a nation. We are someone’s Esther. Will you pray for the nations, our children, the lost, the prostitutes, the addicts.... Be confident that God will save, deliver, and protect you as you pray and fast.
In all these Biblical fasts we see that God answered prayers and made a way for His children. I must tell you though God is not a genie in a bottle. What He desires most is for our hearts to be right and for us to be close to Him. But I can also testify that the character of our God is to bless us, forgive and be close to us, so expect that He will do the same for you as you fast and pray. Our greatest gift in praying and fasting will be His presence. One fasting teacher says it best, When we fast from food, we feast on Him! Happy Feasting!
Father thank You for providing us examples of our faith siblings that encountered the same issues we are facing today. We believe that as we fast and pray that You will hear us and heal us. We thank You for wanting to be close to us, may we continually pray and seek You first. May we also be Your hands and feet to those around us. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen!
Written by Diana Perez
