What is Fasting?
Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food or other legitimate enjoyments for a specified period to focus on spiritual purposes. It can involve fasting from food, technology, or entertainment. The essence of fasting is setting aside bodily appetites—be it for food, entertainment, or technology—for a specific time to concentrate on praying and seeking God. Fasting not only adds urgency and persistence to our prayers but also serves as a powerful personal discipline to train our will, develop self-control, and enhance our spiritual sensitivity toward God. The purpose of fasting is not to manipulate or force God into action, as God answers according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). Instead, fasting and praying align us with the purpose God has for us, helping us see beyond our immediate concerns and recognize His broader plan for our lives.
Introduction
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that involves voluntarily abstaining from food or other legitimate enjoyments for a specified period to focus on spiritual growth and seeking God. While often associated with abstaining from food, fasting can also involve giving up technology, entertainment, or other activities. The primary purpose of fasting is to set aside physical appetites to concentrate on praying and seeking God. This discipline not only lends urgency and persistence to our prayers but also trains our will, develops self-control, and tunes our spiritual sensitivity toward God. It is important to note that fasting is not about manipulating or forcing God into action but about aligning ourselves with His purpose.
The Purpose and Benefits of Fasting
Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline with numerous benefits. It initiates revival and spiritual growth, provides clear revelation and direction from God, frees people from spiritual bondages, loosens demonic powers over situations, helps navigate life's journey with confidence, and deepens intimacy with Jesus.
Initiating Revival and Spiritual Growth
Fasting can initiate revival and spiritual growth. In Joel 2:12, Jonah 3:5-10, and 2 Chronicles 7:14, we see that when God's people humble themselves, pray, and fast, they experience revival and spiritual renewal. Complacency and spiritual dullness are common, but fasting and praying can restore spiritual vitality. God does not move away from us; rather, we drift away from Him due to life's distractions. By fasting and praying, we can rekindle our relationship with God and ignite spiritual fires once more.
Receiving Clear Revelation and Direction
Fasting helps us receive clear revelation and direction from God. In Acts 13:1-3 and Acts 14:21-23, we see the early church in Antioch fasting and praying together. As they worshiped and fasted collectively, they received direction and revelation from the Holy Spirit for upcoming decisions and tasks. This collective prayer and fasting played a vital role in the growth and development of the New Testament church. When we fast and pray as a community, we can expect God to speak clearly into our lives and provide direction for our church.
Freeing People from Spiritual Bondages
Fasting can free people from spiritual bondages. In Mark 9:28-29, Jesus' disciples were unable to cast out a demon from a boy. Jesus later explained that this kind of demon could only be cast out through prayer and fasting. As we fast and pray, God gives us the power and wisdom to move in spiritual authority and set people free from various bondages, especially in a world rife with occult practices and new age beliefs.
领英推荐
Loosening Demonic Powers
Fasting helps push back or loosen demonic powers over a situation. In Daniel 10, Daniel fasted and prayed for understanding and the fulfillment of God's promises. As he prayed, an angel appeared and assured him that his request had been heard from the first day he began to pray and humble himself before God. Our fasting and praying can bring about God's appointed time for deliverance in various situations, such as in the lives of our extended family members, spouses, children, or parents. As we fast and pray collectively, we can push back the powers of darkness and bring about the promised deliverance we have been longing for.
Navigating the Journey Ahead with Confidence
Fasting helps us navigate the journey ahead with confidence. In Ezra 8:21-23, Ezra proclaimed a fast to humble themselves before God and seek His guidance for a safe journey. This collective prayer and fasting helped them navigate their journey with confidence and served as a testimony for future generations. As we begin a period of fasting and praying, we seek God's guidance for the journey ahead, not only for ourselves but also for the next generation.
Deepening Intimacy with Jesus
Fasting deepens our intimacy with Jesus. In Matthew 9:14-15, Jesus explained that His disciples did not need to fast while He was with them, but they would fast once He was taken away. Fasting conveys a deep longing for His presence and a desire for the "not yet kingdom" of His presence and power to manifest. By fasting, we express our desire for Jesus above all else, declaring that He is more important than food, entertainment, and technology. Fasting is a powerful statement of our hunger and desire for Jesus, our treasure, and our longing for His return.
Conclusion
Fasting is a profound and powerful spiritual discipline that offers numerous benefits. It initiates revival and spiritual growth, provides clear revelation and direction, frees people from spiritual bondages, loosens demonic powers, helps navigate life's journey with confidence, and deepens intimacy with Jesus. By nature, we tend to avoid discipline and take the path of least resistance. However, God rewards those who fast and pray. To get ready for fasting:
By embracing fasting, we can experience profound spiritual growth, draw closer to God, and align ourselves with His purpose for our lives.