Isaiah 58:6 NKJV …
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen.”
Arthur Wallis Says…
Fasting is important – more important, perhaps, than many of us have supposed. When exercised with a pure heart, and a right motive, fasting may provide us with a key to unlock doors where other keys have failed; a window opening up new horizons in the unseen world; a spiritual weapon of God‘s providing, “Mighty, to the pulling down of strongholds.” Arthur Wallis
What is fasting?
Fasting is a voluntary abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.
Why do we fast?
Jesus said… “when you fast” not if you fast. (Matthew 6:17)
Fasting should be a regular discipline practiced by Christians.
Fasting is found throughout the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament.
Fasting was a part of the life and ministry of Jesus and the New Testament church.
Luke 4:1-2 …“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”
Fasting Releases God’s Power In Our Lives…
Apparently, in that time, he (Jesus) had a direct, person-to-person conflict with Satan. Through his fasting, he emerged Victorious from the first conflict with Satan.
This illustration would seem to indicate that fasting is essential in our lives, if we are to be victorious over Satan. If Jesus had to practice fasting for victory, I don’t see how any of us can claim to achieve victory without the same practice. Noticed the result of fasting in the life of Jesus, Luke 4:14 states: “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.”
There is a very significant difference in the two phrases used. When Jesus went into the desert, the gospel says he was “full of the Holy Spirit.” But when he returned from the desert, after 40 days of fasting, it says he went “in the power of the spirit.” In other words, it is one thing to be full of the spirit; it is another thing to be in the power of the spirit.
Fasting assists in releasing the “power of the spirit” in our lives. The result, we are enabled to go forth and do the greater works Jesus spoke in John 14:12: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
Not only was fasting practiced by Jesus, but it was also practiced by the New Testament church. In Acts 13:2-3, we read about the church at Antioch:
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3 NKJV
Fasting Is Humbling Ourselves…
Fasting is a scriptural way to humble ourselves. All through the Bible, God required his people to humble themselves before him. God has revealed that a simple, practical way to humble ourselves is through fasting.
“Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 NKJV
“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 NKJV
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
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. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
One important feature of all these scriptures is that the responsibility to humble ourselves is placed upon us.
Fasting Unto God …
In Isaiah’s day, it was asked…” ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ Heaven’s answer was swift. “In fact, in the day of your fast, you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers. Isaiah 58:3 NKJV
The fasts they undertook, with all their show of piety, were motivated by self-interest and self-seeking. No wonder God asked indignantly, “Is this the kind I fast that I chose?” Vs 5.
The Pharisees paraded their piety for the applause of men by making sure that people knew they were fasting. They were not ministering to God, but to the pride of their own hearts.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luke 18:11-12 NKJV
Fasting Puts The Carnal Man In His Place…
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. I Corinthians 9:27 NKJV
Fasting establishes who is the master and who is the servant. When you fast, you serve notice on your body and your carnal nature: “you don’t control me. I’m not subject to you. You’re my servant. You obey what the spirit of God in me declares I have to do.”
The old, carnal nature opposes the Holy Spirit. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17 NKJV
Our bodies make a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.
For Personal Sanctity/Sanctification …
Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. Ezekiel 16:49 NLT
“When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting,” Psalms 69:10 NKJV
”Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NKJV
To Be Heard On High …
“So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.“ Ezra 8:23 NLT
Fasting Brings Breakthrough…
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV
We fast to break strongholds in our lives, families, church, community & nations. And one of those weapons is fasting.
Matthew tells the story of a father who had a demon-possessed son. For years, he watched helplessly as his son suffered with severe convulsions. As he grew older, the attacks became so severe. The boy would often throw himself into an open fire, or a trench of water. A suicidal spirit tormented him constantly. Jesus’ disciples had failed to free the child from the demon spirit. They ask Jesus why they couldn’t cast the spirit out, and he answers in Mark 9:28-29.
And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting. Mark 9:28-29 NKJV
Something’s Don’t Budge Or Move Until We Fast…
Daniel of old experienced a breakthrough as a result of fasting. He was grieved and burdened with the revelation he had received for Israel. He ate no choice bread or meat, and drank no wine for three weeks. Then he describes the angel that was sent to him, which had been delayed by the prince of Persia for 21 days, with the answer Daniel sought. His fast broke the power of the delay and released the angels of God so that God‘s purposes could be revealed and served.
At that time, I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. Daniel 10:2-3 NIV
The breakthrough that Daniel needed came as a result of fasting. Daniel 10:12-14
Like Daniel, we are in a spiritual battle as well.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17,NIV
Moses fasted. Elijah fasted 40 days. Paul fasted 14 days. Jesus fasted 40 days. If the children of God do not fast, how will we ever fit into the armor of God? How will we effectively wield the sword of the Spirit?
Fasting assists us in winning this battle.
Fasting For Deliverance …
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children. Isaiah 49:24-25 NKJV
Fasting To Free The Captives …
Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 NKJV
In My name they will cast out demons; Mark 16:17 NKJV
Many of the “quote” mental health issues today are demon oppression.
Question: How can we recover apostolic power by neglecting apostolic practice? How can we expect the power to flow if we do not prepare the channels? Fasting is a God appointed means for the flowing of his grace and power that we can’t afford to neglect any longer.
Fasting Helps Us To Determine God’s Will & Purposes And Gives Us Wisdom And Knowledge To Navigate The Future.
When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. Proverbs 29:18 NLT
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 NIV
Fasting can change history…
Jonah warns the Ninevites of impending judgment on the city (Jonah 3:1–4). The response was remarkable.
So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
Jonah 3:5-6 NKJV
The results…God relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 3:10 NIV
Again, 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. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
Fasting For Revelation …
In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. Daniel 9:2-3, 21-22 NKJV
For Health And Healing …
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8 NKJV
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 NKJV
Fasting Causes The Impossible To Become The Possible…
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 NKJV
Fasting removes the doubt that keeps the impossible from happening.
Fasting, Prelude To The Latter Rain…
Joel gives us a brief, comprehensive overview of God‘s purpose for his people in the last days. Joel opens with a scene of total disaster and desolation.
Fasting can turn a desperate and hopeless situation around…
Joel 1:8-12 gives a picture of a desperate and hopeless situation. The situation is one of desolation, blight, hopelessness, morning, and a total absence of joy. But then God reveals the remedy to this dark situation. In Joel 1:13-14, God instructs his people:
“Put on sackcloth, you priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God. Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.”Joel 1:13-14 NIV
God‘s remedy is to consecrate a fast and then seek God with desperate prayer. “Consecrate” means to set apart a time for God when you will fast.
The result… God promised a response to the prayer and fasting of his people (Joel 2:23-29), great prosperity & the last day outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Vs 28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28 NIV
The Time Is Now …
And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matthew 9:15 NKJV
The fast of this age is not merely an act in mourning Christ’s absence, but an active preparation for his return. May those prophetic words “then will they fast,” be finally fulfilled in this generation.
It will be a fasting and praying Church that will hear the thrilling cry, “Behold, the bridegroom!” Tears shall be wiped away, and the fast will be followed by the feast of the marriage, the supper of the lamb. Arthur Wallis
Revelation 22:17, 20 NKJV …“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
“But when you fast… Your father… Will reward you.” – Matthew 6:17–18
There is no way to measure the tremendous power released by prayer and fasting when practiced with right motives and in accordance with the principles of scripture. – Derek Prince.