WHAT IS FASTING & ITS PURPOSE

THE MEANING OF FASTING

Fasting is the key

Fasting is the deliberate abstinence from food, drink, people, and the busy and noisy environment for the purpose of studying God's Word, Praying, and Meditating on God's Word to subdue the flesh and strengthen our spirit to become sensitive to get connected to God's frequency of communication.

Fasting makes our spirit very sensitive to God's signal and we hear from Him (God) clearly and audibly and we know what to do to get our expected results. Fasting is a spiritual exercise that builds us and strengthens us spiritually. Fasting is never complete or authentic without Abstinence from fleshly desires, Bible Studies, Prayer, Meditation, and Hearing from God.

True, Correct, Authentic, and Complete Fasting is the fasting that produces results and testimonies. Result-producing fasting cannot lack any of the following essentials.

RESULT PRODUCING FASTING => ABSTINENCE FROM THE FLESHLY DISTRACTIONS (food, busy activities, noisy environments) + BIBLE STUDIES (especially on the very subject that you want to see changes) + PRAYER (talking to God in Jesus's name) + MEDITATION (pondering on or giving a deep thought to God's word on your subject of change) + HEARING FROM GOD.

NOTE: The main purpose of Fasting is to make our spirit spiritually sensitive to hear from God to know what to do at a particular time to achieve a particular purpose or desired goal.

Why is Fasting Necessary?

The scriptures are replete with numerous accounts of remarkable results and dramatic testimonies produced through Fasting. As Christians, Fasting is one of the godly exercises we should engage in regularly, with the promise of present and eternal benefits. The advantages are numerous, and here are a few:

Through Fasting, we can improve our effectiveness in the things of the spirit; In simple terms, Fasting helps you to tame the flesh and lift the spirit. As Christians, we are required to walk in the spirit, always. This means to be spirit-controlled and not flesh-controlled. This is important because Rom 8:6 says “…to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” also in John 6:63 our Lord Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing….”.

So how does Fasting help you to tame the flesh and lift the spirit?;

One of the cravings of the body is food. It is a craving that is connected to the senses. When we fast, we deliberately abstain from food even though our body craves it. We resist the urge to eat thereby improving our mastery over the cravings of the body and instead focus on activities that build the spirit. Of course, we could engage in activities that build our spirit without abstaining from food, but abstinence from food adds a level of “seriousness” and “discipline” to the exercise.

Fasting helps to sharpen our ability to receive or hear from God. It is like raising a spiritual antenna to pick the finer signals of the Spirit’s communication.

But how does this happen? When we Fast, abstinence from food is a key characteristic but that is not all. The Fasting exercise promotes focus and undivided attention to study and prayer. There should be a deliberate cessation of all unnecessary activities and a conscious increase in spiritual activities. This helps to unclutter the mind and remove the „noise‟ or interference that often prevents the hearing of God's voice. During a period of Fasting, many have received clear direction and heard the voice of God in a more distinct way than before.

Fasting can be a vehicle to effect dramatic and urgent changes in things that pertain to us or even in the circumstances of others around us. In James 5:17 (amp) the scriptures assure us that “….the earnest (heartfelt)…prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic)….” which means power to effect changes, shift things, re-arrange things in the present or in the future can be produced by me – when I pray a certain way. So how do I ensure my prayer is earnest and heartfelt?

When you declare a Fast, you are raising the stakes. It is a declaration of seriousness and urgency in addressing the matter at hand. It helps you to be earnest in your prayers and certainly, it will be heartfelt. Your heart is in it to the point that you are giving up eating to focus on the matter at hand. And when you pray like this, the results are guaranteed!

Fasting and Prayer

FASTING THE RIGHT WAY! MAKING IT EFFECTIVE…..

It is important to note that Fasting is not an effort to change God. When we fast, we are the ones that change and we are the beneficiaries of the Fast. Our Fasting does not change God Mal 3:6 “…I am the Lord, I change not…”
So with this in focus, here are steps that can make our Fasting more effective;

Have a clear objective in focus – what are your expectations from this Fast?
The period of Fasting must include regular intervals of prayer, study, and meditation on the Word. Having a clear focus and expectation will help guide your prayer, study, and meditation time.
Minimize unnecessary activity or distractions during the Fasting period. Though solitude may not always be achievable, strive to be „alone‟ with the Spirit as much as possible.
And while there is no single prescription for the length of a Fast, it should be sufficiently long to be effective. It ought to be long enough to span several normal eating periods. And you should be hungry at some point during the Fast. But this is not a reason to break it but rather to endure and continue! Remember, part of the training of the Fast is to curb the craving for the flesh and maintain focus on the spirit.

WHO SHOULD FAST, AND WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO FAST?

It is quite common for people to Fast when they are in dire need or in trouble, but you don't need to be in trouble or in a messy situation to be compelled to Fast. We can Fast to improve our spiritual acumen, stay ahead of situations, make general improvements in our life and prepare for a greater future.

And while anyone can Fast at any time, there are special times when the Spirit of God leads us to Fast. These are special Fasting sessions not to be missed because they bear an accuracy and grace that is unusual. For instance, the Holy Spirit has instructed me that the first Sunday of every Month is a Fasting and Prayer Sunday. And when I announced it and the Holy Spirit asked us to do this, because He wants to bless us and that these special times will bring to us untold blessings. And it has been exactly that way

Another special Fasting period is our end-of-year 3-day Prayer and Fasting program which holds on December 29th, 30th, and 31st of every year. In the past years, these special Fasting programs have been pivotal in preparing us for the coming year and helped to position us in perfect alignment with the plans and purpose of the Spirit of God for us.

The advantages of Fasting are numerous, and every Christian should benefit from it. What Fasting can do for you, may not be obtainable in any other way. And like many things in our Christian walk, the benefits come to you by doing. You may learn, read or even talk about Fasting – but that won‟t bring the benefits. The benefits are realized when you do it.

Fast and be strong in Christ

FASTING — THE REAL ESSENCE

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly (Joel 2:15).

People fast for different reasons. Some fast because they want to get an answer from God, thinking their fasting would compel Him to answer them. They see fasting as a means of getting God to do something He ordinarily wouldn’t have done, had they not fasted. That’s the wrong idea about fasting. I do fast, but I don’t fast to get God to do something for me.

If you’re fasting so that God will do something for you, then you’re doing it for the wrong reason, because He’s done everything for you already. He already said, “All things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21); so what then is the purpose of fasting? You should fast, primarily, because it's a good spiritual exercise designed to bring the flesh under the subjection of the spirit.

Fasting gets you attuned to the Spirit to hear what God is saying, and be guided to do His will and follow His purpose for your life. Fasting helps you to align with God’s will and purpose, and positions you rightly for God’s Word to come to you. God may have been speaking to you and you may have not been picking His signals. However, through fasting, you become sensitive and ready to receive the guidance and direction He’s giving you.

Secondly, and very importantly, you should fast as an act of worship to the Lord. You can decide you just want to give the Lord a lot of attention, to love and cherish Him for some number of days or over a period. At such times you stay away from everything else, especially food, and just focus on Him, fellowshipping with Him.

As you prepare for the coming year, take time to fast and pray; but let it be an opportunity to love and appreciate the Lord. Let it be a time to celebrate the Word and make your faith effectual by acknowledging the good things the Lord has done in you, and for you, in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!

THE RIGHT TIME TO PRAY AND FAST

Now Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? (Matthew 9:14).

In admonishing His disciples on fasting, the Lord Jesus cautioned, “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:16). The Lord’s remark was both thought-provoking and enlightening.

Importance of Fasting

In the preceding verse 15, He had said, “…Can the children of the bridechamber 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.” Here, He was referring to Himself returning to the Father in heaven. Moreover ever since His ascension, the Church has fasted—the disciples and apostles of the early Church fasted. Prayer and fasting have been part of our spiritual activity as Christians. We fast when necessary. “When is it necessary to fast?” someone might ask.

First, when your local church or congregation proclaims a prayer and fasting program, that’s a time to fast. Never isolate yourself from such a call, because it’s part of our corporate fellowship. They're things we do corporately, such as corporate worship, and many other things that are intended for spiritual growth and edification; prayer and fasting are among them.

Secondly, when you choose to fast and pray, or the Holy Spirit leads you to do so, don’t ignore it. That’s another great opportunity, especially if it’s the Spirit guiding you; and you’ll know when He’s the One leading you to fast.

Some people schedule prayer and fasting as a means for their own spiritual exercise, and that’s excellent. So, in whichever way and at whatever time you’re guided to fast, take it seriously. Make fasting and praying a part of your personal spiritual routine.

If, in your local assembly, the announcement is made for a praying and fasting session, don’t unilaterally decide you’re not going to be a part of it. Don’t, on your own, choose when you’ll break your fast. That’ll be wrong. Be disciplined to always get involved, being aware that the benefits are essential to your spiritual growth (1 Timothy 4:8).

Remember that through fasting and praying, your effectiveness in the things of the Spirit is improved. Your ability to hear and receive from God is sharpened, and you’re more attuned to the finer signals and instruction of the Spirit that you need for a higher level of life; a life of continuous glory and success!

CONFESSION
I’m sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, and His guidance in my life for my spiritual growth and development. My acts of service in the house of God will inspire commitment, growth, and development of younger Christians, such that there will be no cause for stumbling for them, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
Nehemiah 1:4; Acts 13:2; Matthew 26:38-4