The difference between what our Christianity ought to be and what it actually is in our day comes down to a lack of prayer and fasting. We plan to do something about that. See my challenge at the end of this article.
Fasting for Personal Freedom
If you are miserable, and your prayers have remained unanswered, it is because you are not sufficiently in tune with God yourself. Sometimes our impure motives block answers from coming, sometimes it is an impure theology which denies the power of God. Combining FASTING with the Word and prayer will eventually eliminate both. The problem is not God's unwillingness to give good things. Don't ever think that. (See Matthew 7:11). God is a good God, but we have become fleshly. To fast unto God means to stop eating for a few days, or many days, and intensify your prayers. Boldly speak out the promises of God during this time. Your answer will come.
Fasting to Minister like Jesus
Jesus fasted 40 days before starting to destroy the works of the devil with power, and we won't do the works he did - especially the miracles - unless we also fast with similar dedication for long fasts. John 14:12 records our Savior saying, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also." There are very few Christians who believe in Jesus enough to follow His example in fasting. But that is what it takes to consistently do the works He did. Short fasts can produce miraculous results, as they have in my life, but the results consistently fall short of the glory of God also. God is calling us to longer fasts. He is calling us to be prophetic, not pathetic. We should stop making excuses. Yes, it is a battle, it does involve moments of pain, but as one Christian said, "Pain is weakness leaving". Godly leadership is related to our willingness to bear pain, where required (and it often is).
It will no longer do for one in ten thousand Christians (if that) to be serious about undertaking long fasts for the glory of God. God is calling His people everywhere to undergo extended periods of fasting and prayer, as well as many short fasts, in preparation for a huge harvest of souls that has already begun in some places - for example - Central and Latin America. The church leaders in these nations are people of fasting and prayer, or at least they got started that way.
Fasting and Grace
God has already given us every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3), including the love of God poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), but we don't experience much of it, we don't walk in much of it, until we learn to "cash in" God's checks through persistent fasting and prayer, with a focus on Jesus and the Word of God. Fasting, when combined with prayer and a determined focus on speaking and applying the Word of God, will root out the garbage which is clogging us up, both spiritually and physically. We see too much evidence of sin and unbelief to deny that we are need of radical cleansing.
Fasting does not earn us merit with God. The salvation and forgiveness of God is a gift (Ephesians 2:8,9) and fasting can't buy it. But fasting is a major key to actually, in reality, putting down the flesh and worthless thoughts, and humbling ourelves before God that we might receive greater grace (James 4:6). Fasting brings us into line with the will of God. Very few people on this planet experience much of the will of God for them. The will of God is expressed through the Word of God. That should not surprise us.
Fasting as a religious practice puts the practitioner in touch with the
spiritual world and deepens devotion to whatever spirit one is worshiping.
That is why muslims, who during Ramadan fast 30 days a year during daylight
hours, are generally so deeply entrenched in their beliefs (though there
is no solid basis for them). We as Christians, have often failed to deepen
ourselves in consecration and faith towards God through fasting, which
is why the Spirit of God often has so little effective power in and through
our lives. It won't do to decry the lack of power, love or holiness in
the chu
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About Fasting and praying
Look forward to hearing back from you. I pray that you will be strengthened in the inner man for this fast, and that God reveal many things to you. Amen.
My fasting experience
So as you know from my recent post, I fasted for the first time in my life. I chose to fast and pray for three days for the deliverance of my drug addicted sister. However, in the midst of it I felt that God saw it fit to change me instead. I was given two dreams during my fast. One of them was about several small fires that were ablaze all over my neighborhood showing me that he was refining and changing me. In the second dream my sister in the was on the other side of a door and I would not let her in to help her because she was high and just as I woke up Gods voice said "Behold I stand and the door and knock!" So He definitely showed me my unwillingness associate with and help her. In all actuality, during these hard times with my sister, I got so tired of being hurt and depressed and caring about her when she doesn't care about herself, that I got the point where I just started fanning her off and shutting her out of my life because it's just easier for me not to deal with her at all. So I used the excuse that I gave it to God so that I would not have to have her in my life anymore. So He showed me that when I reject her, I am directly rejecting Him also, and that cut me pretty deep. The last thing I would ever want to do is reject God. Either way, I learned a lot about myself during those three days. I was talking with my husband about it all and he was telling me how much I was changing and it really made for an emotional moment because during my fast I felt like I was so far away. Even though I was still here going to work and participating in every day life, my mind was so focused on God that I checked out for a while. That's the best way I could describe it. It was amazing and from this experience, I have experienced just how near I can draw to God if I just deny myself and make the conscious choice to put him first. I got so much out of those three days and I know that I will definitely fast more and more in the future. Thank you to those who prayed!
Your sister in the Lord,
Hannah B.
God grant me strength!
I came across this article tonight after doing a search on fasting. The past few days I have felt that God is calling me to fast for the deliverance of my sister. She is a very rebellious drug addict with a seizure disorder. Her afflictions have caused her, her children and all of us as a family great grief! I have cried and prayed for her deliverance with no return and no sign of any type of any recovery. Even so, I still feel that God hears my cries and sees how my heart is poured out. He knows that I feel helpless and he knows how I long for her to have a better life. Recently I remembered a scripture in Matthew (17:14-21) about the boy with the demon that caused him to have violent seizures. When the disciples came to Christ and asked why they were unable to drive out the demon he told them that this kind came out through prayer and fasting only. So I feel this is my last hope and my last resort. All I want for her is for her to be sober and healthy. I want for her to be the mother that her children need and the great woman of God that she was intended to be. Please, if you're reading this. Please pray for me that I am given a measure of strength as this is my first fast. I do not want to fail. This is my last hope. PLEASE pray for me and pray that my sister Risa is delivered!
Sincerely,
Hannah B.
PS: Here's the passage in Matthew
I listed above.
NKJV
*******
Matthew 17:14-20
14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
*******
Please pray for me
Hi, Michael! I'm going to be fasting this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Please pray that God gives me wisdom and guidance to know and do the things He's called me to do. Please also pray that I will be filled with greater boldness through the Holy Spirit to share the Truth of God with others.
Peace and blessings.
Yes I have prayed
that you will be filled with the Spirit of Wisdom and the power of God from this time on. Let me know how it goes.
Fasting for deliverance from bondage
Hello Michael,
I just came across this site about an hour ago. I was looking up curses after a dream I had 2 nights ago and last night. Basically the dream let me know that the devil was trying to destroy what God is bringing to pass in my life right now and in the near future. The Lord was warning me that if I did not come against the devils stronghold on me that he would devour what has already been shown to me by God. I am starting my fast tonight and will be going at least 3 days but shooting for more until I receive full deliverance from the enemy and his curse. Pray for and with me as I go into battle.
Thanks,
Ken
Fasting
Dear Michael
Please pray with me, i will start fasting tonight at 21:00 for 3 days on water only fast.
Im am a born again christian but my life is not going accordingly now im just asking for God to intervene because all the problems that i have are making me drift away from him.
I know all things are possible with God im asking for a miracle in a this situation that im going through.
Nwabisa
The POWER of fasting!!
Hi everyone! I would like to share my story with all of you. Me and my best friend had misunderstanding and ended our friendship. As a christian person I knew that I have to forgive and forget all the pain that seemed so deep and sharp. In my heart I knew that I had to pray and maybe even fast for that person. I was wrongfuly accused of things that I didn't do and it was very difficult to forgive and more difficult to forget and pray for someone who betrayed my trust. I came across a few web sites that contained articles on " power of fasting". I used to fast before and it always helped in any situation. So I decided to start fasting as much as I could for salvation of my friend. I was fasting for 6 days a week. 3 days , than I ate for 1 day and than fasted another 3 days...I ate only 1 day a week...I did it for about 1 month...I wept and prayed for his salvation day and night but it seemed like God didn't hear me...or didn't want to answer me...Than I suddenly realized that I have to confess all my sins and humble before God more....Than I fasted for 7 days straight ,drinking only water...after that I started fasting 6 days in one week -every week....in 2.5 months my friend called me on my phone and appoligized...He said that he was wrong and that he needed my forgivness...I told him that " I forgive him" and our conversation ended . I kept fasting for another month . He called again and told me that he wanted to talk to me in person. He was shocked to see how skinny I looked ...Barely recognizing me...Tears were dripping down his face...He told me that he changed and that he is close to Jesus now. We became good friends again. This experience of fasting changed me inside out..I became humble, calm, peaceful...
Fasting does wonderful things...With Jesus Christ anything is possible!
Alana A
The scent of deliverance
i am thinking of nothing but water for one week i am of a strong but slender build but i trust the lord that he will greatly appreciate my sacrafice, prayer, and i will also speak his words to others for i know he has heard my prayrs but i feel i am not worthy so i must show him my love and devotion i also smoke a pack of cigaretts a day which i will also give up and i know if god was not with me on this fast i would surly have a heart atack reguardless the fact i am 18 i have been smoking a pack a day for about three years i thank you for your website and i ask you and anyone reading this to pray that i sucead it is sunday 02/24/08 i will begin tonite and end in exactly one week (this will be the most dificult thing i have ever done)
blessed be the word of GOD pray for me
Knick of Time
Well today is Valentines day, and of course the traditional thing for me is to go out on a romantic date with my husband, and [EAT]----I repeat----[Eat] at a fancy restaurant, however, God is always on time, and so, since I came across this article about fasting. He's pulling me in another direction--lol-----Pray for me--for strength, and for my husband to understand.
I'll fast for three days begining today.
Please pray for me during fast
I have been lurking on this site for sometime now. Figured it is time to become a member. Tomorrow I will begin fasting. 6 days. Please pray that I will complete the fast and my motives for the fast will be seen. For answers to unanswered prayers......for peace.
Thank-you. Rina
Prayed for you
Hi Rina,
I have prayed God enable you to complete the fast, and reveal any blockages or hindrances to your prayers. I pray God give you the power to change as you wait on Him.
Michael
Prayer and Fasting
I will begin my (at least) 3 day fast tomorrow for clarity and actions to protect and restore my marriage.
Trapped
Dear Michael,
I thank Jesus Christ for leading me to your blog here on the website. I sit an think about how long perhaps God had been waiting for me to get here. I have began a fast due to last only two days after prayer and planning. I have been born again for about two years and we have done some coporate fasting in our church. However, I have a strong desire to fast to draw closer to God and get some direction on what is happening to me. I seem to be unhappy and can't figure out why. Agree with me in faith that God will touch me and that this is just the beginning of conditioning my will to diminish and his will to have full control in my life.
S_A
Dear Michael, i have been
Dear Michael,
i have been reading this site for the past two weeks or so. thank you for this informative and empowering site. hosea 4vs 6,says people perish because of lack of knowledge.
i have been praying to god that he strengthen and annoint me with the holy spirit because i feel i have moved into a different spiritual level. can you also pray for me to recieve an overflowing annointment of the holy spirit.
thank you for your wonderful site once again
I prayed for you
as requested. What you want here is what God also wants for you, so focus your heart and determine that nothing else is going to stop you from having this new closeness to God, and corresponding empowering.
God bless you
May my fasting glorify God. Please pray for me.
Dear Michael,
I came across this website on fasting and prayer and faith in my search for strength and faithfulness in fasting, the Lord led me here. My heart is to fast for 30 days or longer, as the Lord is gracious and allows me to be blessed by dedicating this part of my life in overcoming my flesh. The purpose of this fast is for a deeper walk in Christ, a greater anointing to pour out to others in Christ, increase in healing and miracles, and further ministry direction. I really need to hear from the Lord, and I'm praying that the fasting will increase my sensitivity and enable me to hear His voice much more clearly. I started the fast on Friday, Oct. 12th, yesterday.
Lately it feels like quite a war to fast and pray for an extended time, but I'm totally committed to giving the Lord His way, and not my own will. Reading the article helped me to see that God truly has given power to us through fasting and prayer to do mighty exploits for Him, just as Jesus did when He fasted and prayed. I just wanted you to know I'm very grateful for the website, and I'll try to post entries during the fast now and then. Thank you for your prayers. All my love in Jesus.
Praying for you
I pray the Lord will strengthen and sustain your soul during this fast, and delight you with His presence. Please let us know how things go.
Fasting
I have fasted for two days a few months ago without a real focus on what my fast was for but my prayer was that I could be delivered from past hurts. The second day was Sunday night and moments after I entered the church, (for Tehellia worship), the Spirit came upon me and I will never forget the feeling I had inside, just under my ribcage, this feeling subsided after worship but the joy stayed with me for awhile, until the worries of my life entered my mind again.
I will never forget the intense feeling of love and lightness with joy. Thank you for the article, I will start my fast, much needed, tonight.
(Also, thank you for your patience Michael, with my registration !)
Thats great let us know how it goes
Look forward to hearing back from you. I pray that you will be strengthened in the inner man for this fast, and that God reveal many things to you. Amen.
Thats great let us know how it goes
Look forward to hearing back from you. I pray that you will be strengthened in the inner man for this fast, and that God reveal many things to you. Amen.
Starting a Three Day Fast
Michael, please pray for me these next three days Starting at Midnight tonight Thursday. The purpose of my fast is twofold, on my part it is for God to remove any unbelief that my mind conjures and to draw me even closer to him. The second and the primary reason I feel called to fast is for God to help and heal my little brother from Oxycottin addiction and also for the area of Pradesh India which was hit by a massive fire leaving many homeless and without anything.
Thank You
Scott
~~~Sol Shkr~~~
Very true
Before I read your article I had the same insight.
The Lord Jesus fasted before he started to destroy the works of the devil with power.
What an encouragement! WOW!
.
.
Fasting
Michael,
Thank you for the article on fasting. I need you to stand with me as I have started a 3 day fast today to draw closer to God. I desire to have that intimate relationship with Him where I can be able to hear from Him.
Thank you.
Karen
Realisations
Fasting XD i'm only on my 2nd day of fasting, and i now i realise how much i take for granted considering food. I have put myself on a partial fast for 3 days only allowing myself plain chiken soup with no solids and water.
Yesterday i had many cups of water and 2 bowls of soup. Today however i feel realli different after last night, after affirming my faith with a few articles i read here that day b4.
I do not feel tired =D haha.. i still feel hungry... but lol i feel energetic HAHA XD.. its rather strange >=) LOL. THX YOU FATHER GOD XD FOR GIVING ME THE STRENGHT TO CONTINUE ON XD. Today i plan to just go with water. Continue reading articles from this site, continue reading the Bible an sing with my heart along to some Hillsong cd's XD to praise n worship Him.
I now realise the importance of saying grace before eating LOL. I REALLY THANKED HIM FOR THE ONLY SORTA FOOD I HAD LAST NIGHT WHICH WAS SOUP. Haha and hes healing me >=) ! B4 i fasted i never realli enjoied eatin that much, after having one severe case of stomach upset about almost a year ago caused by alcoholic binging ( which i refrain from now )... but now.. LOL i can't wait to get my first bite of fruit >=) LOL I WANT A MANGO !! OR AN APPLE LOL! Haha and can't wait to eat what mum prepares for food XD. But that'll have to wait till Sunday morning >< LOL.
I do feel closer to the Lord an excited lol, this is a new experience and its going so well. LoL i've suffered a little >=) ! I saw a packet of lollies out on the table last nite n i was sooooooooooooooo wanting to eat just one ! LOL. Haha and the smell of toast in the morning OH GOSH >< LOL YUMMMMMMMM ! >< but i've succesfulli refrained from eating lol. Haha last nights dinner D= smelt soooo nice LOL.. but i just had the soup =( LOL.
I had a dream last night too... where i was searching for things to eat, and came across like what was suppose to be containers full of pasta in my fridge. I was hungrily searching through each container n found it was empty.. finally i found a pot that had some pasta in it but to no avail it was old... and off ><.. and mum told me not to eat it LOL. Then i suddenly remembered i was on a fast >=) ! LOL n in a way i was glad i had found nothing to eat in that fridge LOL. Haha i'm glad even in my sleep the Lord reminds me NO FOOD your fasting ! XD LOL.
Haha and for the new believers i realli realli suggest u give fasting a shot ! LOL it realli makes u appreciate the food u eat, and appreciate who ever cooks the food, and most of all remember and appreciate God for creating the ingredients for the food we eat that being fruits and animals n grains n that XD.
Haha and wen u dedicate your time to reading and searching the Lord u certainly draw closer to him. I do miss playing my computer games though =( LOL... but i'm beginning to really enjoy this experience and will deffinately do it again in the near future even if it means no computer games for a while =( LOL.
BUT YES XD LOL THX MICHAEL HAHA XD your fasting chellenge and the article realli appealed to me, while i was readin the article b4 i began the fast, i got a lil teary, knowing that this was an experience i realli needed to have to draw closer to God. My fasting i must say is still a little imperfect but i plan to improve with each attempt. Its suppose to be a time of full dedication to the Lord, yet.. i still have MSN on >< just to keep me a little company.
God Bless, i hope that others who have accepted Christ and who have never fasted b4 give it a shot >=) LOL and hey it gives u something else to talk about to other Christian friends XD to me its a victory worth sharing if u complete a fast for the first time >=) ! haha
Goodbye =) ! !!
oops... posted here instead
oops... posted here instead of the forums =/ *copies n pastes*
Avrielle Mcdonald
fasting
How does one get round to fasting...
...when one has a non-Christian family who may think he's mad doing it, and doesn't want to make too much of a big deal of it (either to try and avoid conflict or to adhere to Jsus' command not to draw attention to one's acts in the Sermon on the Mount)? This is how I find myself. I've tried fasting say for one or two meals in a day, nothing really gained as I've not been too sure what to do with it and I admit I keep making other excuses to avoid fasting too! But anyway, shuld I bother mentioning it to my family when I fast or keep it quiet?
I think u should let your family know
I'm sure u respect their choice of free will for them to believe in their religion although your most hoping they believed in Jesus to. Therefore u should tell them u are fasting, and fasting for your own growth and devotion to Jesus. So that they realise and respect what u are doing as u have respected them for their own free will. In doing this they will also not prepare too much food that u'll be forced to eat out of politeness and respect because they made it for u. Because now that u have told them what u are doing they know what you are trying to achieve and will not make your share of food for the few days u've elected to fast.
I think its okay to let family know u are fasting, i believe its when u go out saying n boastin that u are fasting to gain sympathy or status from people that u don't know that, that is wrong. So by all means let your family know.
Remember that when we live for Jesus, we should not be afraid of what others think of us, even our own family. Be right with the Lord and he will look after you no matter the case. Read Matt chapter 10 verses 32 to 40. Read verse 37 especially.
Remember that we are not fighting against one another but against the prince of evil and his dark forces. If you are told your not allowed to fast in your household by your parents, i then think it is best to do as they say. For God says obey your parents. Now when we obey our parents are we not obeying God =) are we not glorifying His name ! In that, u will have shown God that u do love Him and obey His words. Because this is a delicate matter >< and u don't want to stir trouble in your own family i think that is what u should do if your not allowed to fast. So that they may see the work of God in you. That being you obeying them. Hopefully through this and other well meaning things u do, they might be brought to Christ Jesus ^^ and receive salvation.
How ever if they just think your weird or say nasty things for you fasting but still permitting you to fast. By all means continue fasting and forgive them of their insults for they do not know better as of yet. But through your deeds and walk with Christ they may begin to realise what they have done was wrong and repent and be saved ^^. I wish u the best =D ! GOOD LUCK. GOD BLESS !
BTW When we are fasting =P it is an alotted time between yourself and God, u dedicate these moments to Him. Do not get distracted by other things during this time. Pray to God, worship and praise Him and feed on his spiritual words read the Bible seeking His will. If you are fasting for healing that is what u should pray for during your fast. If your fasting to draw closer to the Lord God pray that he draws you near n gives u understanding during your fast. ^^ God Bless hope this helped in some way.
Forgive me if i've said anything incorrect i am still new to His words, and this is my understanding of now. Read what i have written and see if it is right in your own eyes. If it is not continue searching for answers n pray that the Lord reveals them to you =) and then if u so desire offer me your corrected opinion on what i have written, that would be great =) then i could learn to XD.
GOD BLESS GOOD LUCK IN YOUR FASTING ^^.
3 day fast successful
Michael, you had asked for response to your fasting article so I wanted to tell you my experience with fasting. I fasted everything but water this week MTW because I was off of work and wanted to spend the time soaking in the Lord. I spent several hours in praise, prayer and reading the Word each day. The second night I woke up at about 11:00 PM very sickly nauseated, shaky and a headache. As a nurse my first thought was in the flesh, "I must have a low blood sugar from not eating, I need to eat." Then I thought, "no, God is bigger than a blood sugar." I began to pray, "God, you created me, you know what my body needs, please strengthen me to faithfully finish this fast." It was dark in my bedroom and my eyes were closed but I saw a very bright brief flash of bright light and soon after that I felt a numbing warmth come over my body and all my sickness was gone. It was an absolutely amazing experience. I praised God for a while after that and then I went back to sleep and woke up the next morning feeling fine. The Lord allowed me to finish my fast without difficulty and I have tremendously enjoyed spending time with Him and drawing closer to Him. I was not especially hungry this morning but my husband urged me to eat. Food I was accustomed to before the fast tastes so much bolder, sweeter and saltier. I thought that was odd. My fast has given me a burden to pray for the hungry. I live in a land of the plenty and never in my entire life have I ever had to go even a half day without food. These 3 days have brought me closer to God and He has granted me so much peace, love and joy. He answered questions for me that I had even forgotten that I asked about Him! Anyway, I once again thank you for your encouraging article on fasting. It is definitely worth it! All the glory be to God!
Kerry
Wonderful
Thanks for that report, I am sure it will encourage others to try fasting as a means of drawing near to God.
fasting
Michael,
Thank you for your article on fasting. I could not agree more. We do need to fast and pray for spiritual break throughs. I have had difficulty in this area. Please pray for greater discipline and strength for me in this area. I have done 3 day juice fasts which were spiritually uplifting but never have I done nothing but water for more than one day. Please pray I can fast for 3 days for revival in my church. We have become so complacent in our praise and worship and altar services. We need people delivered and healed and my church authorities do not even recognize the need for or believe the need for deliverance in Christians. We need a miraculous move of God. Pray we will have a great move of God to grant desire in our hearts to seek Him fervently.
Thank you,
Kerry
Call to fasting and Prayer
The report is good because many people find it very difficult to fast and that is why the fire of revival is going down.
Ebenezer
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