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This book
is for spiritual development and is vital to know while on our Christian Journey;
it is for all, both beginners and those grounded in Christ. I want you to have
this book - "Fasting and Prayer." Reason being, it is an ancient
landmark that is quickly fading away in all the newness of today's church.
However, as alluded to by Christ, it is of vital importance (Matt
“Nothing shall be impossible unto you…
but by prayer and fasting” (Matt
I remember while young, in
my late teens, I did a series of fasts and hadn’t heard from the Lord,
concerning my purpose; unfortunately I wasn’t doing it as stated above. Later I
spoke with an old Deacon in our church, Deacon Johnson, when I told him how I
was successful in doing a couple days of fasting yet with my blight; he quickly
shut me up and told me I’m not doing it right. He said to not drink any water
or eat not even the slightest of food, don’t do anything but focus your mind on
the Lord, study his word and lift him up. He said from you get up that morning
don’t think on nothing else but praying and fasting for this thing, don’t work,
don’t play and you can use the prayer room all day if you like. I was taken
aback because I thought I was doing the fast right but that God choose not to
answer me. Anyway, I did just that and even before I could reach a quite place
to spend the day in prayer, I receive an evangelical postal mail indirectly
tell me I’m a preacher and to preach his word. While in the prayer room it was
emphasized through Acts 1. Then 6:00 on the dot when I finished the fast a lady
whom I had no dealings with came up to me and said she was awakened in the
night by a vision and in the vision the Lord told her to anoint me concerning
the same thing. I was really ecstatic, finally knowing my purpose and even to
know that fasting could really push God to answer you if you do it right; I
really thought I had always done it right.
In that respect, a Jewish author wrote the following biblical proof. This
example of a Jewish holiday brings about some of the key points mentioned
throughout this study, like abstaining from water and work, the duration of a
one day fast which I later found out is 24 hours and much more. He wrote:
On the 10th day of the
Seventh Month (Tishrei) is the holiday known as Yom Ha-Kipurim (or Yom Kippur),
"The Day of Atonement". This is a day dedicated to fasting and prayer
on which we ask YHWH to atone for our sins.
Ye shall afflict your souls"
On this holiday the Torah commands us to "afflict our souls ('INuI
NeFeSH)"
as we read:
· "And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh
month, on the tenth day of the
month, ye shall afflict your souls,
and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a
stranger that sojourns among you... It
shall be a Sabbath of rest unto
you, and ye shall afflict your souls,
by a statute for ever." (Lev 16, 29.31)
“Speak unto all the people of the land,
and to the priests, saying,
When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month,
even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me,
even to me?” (Zec 7:5)
Secondly,
If you’re a married you have to get consent from your spouse, as this verse
tells us, “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time,
that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again” (1
Cor 7:5). Why did Paul say this? “That Satan tempt you not for your
incontinency” (1 Cor 7:5). Therefore, it is not necessarily a commandment.
Nevertheless, at one point it was; recorded here, “Every vow, and every binding
oath to afflict the soul [fasting], her husband may establish it, or her
husband may make it void. …These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded
Moses, between a man and his wife” (Num 30:13-16). But since the strict keeping
of the letter of the Law is taken away with Christ, we are no longer under the
curse of it; but the essence of it is still present and needed today (LOVE),
which eventually will mirror the letter of the Law itself; that’s why Christ
came to fulfill it and not take it away. Because what Paul told us above is
almost the same thing to the Law. But he added why he said it and then said,
“But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment” (1 Cor 7:6).
Fasting is a sacrifice and
sacrifices are never easy or else it's not a sacrifice; for instance, drinking
excessive amounts of water to inflate your belly during a fast is not necessarily
a sacrifice. Try not to be too comfortable. Remember what was said earlier,
"fasting involves subduing and conquering the flesh ... No wonder it is
disturbing to one's flesh. It's meant to subdue the flesh's proud spirit and
suppress lustful desires."
Now, when undertaking a long fast, it would be wise to properly hydrate your
body, prior (before) to the fast - eight glasses per day is recommended; And
eat lots of fruits and vegetables. As it pertains to drinking water during this
lengthy fast, this scripture comes into play "as your faith is be it unto
you." Nevertheless, a true spiritual fast involves abstinence from water.
Today we make so many excuses to try and conform to modern days. You can’t
water down doctrine and not water down the effects. If a queen, the most
sumptuous and fairest of women, could have gone on three days and night without
food or drink, how much more us. Esther, the Jewish Queen said, “Go, gather
together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither
eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast
likewise” (Est 4:16). If Moses stricken in age could have done two 40 days
fasts back to back (Due
On the fifth point, anybody who fast regularly would know that a
negative spin-off of fasting is "bad breath." So if you are
particular about self-image (and one should be), then proper dental hygiene
should be practiced. Avoid eating mints, as that is a form of food. Preferably
travel with a small bottle of mouthwash. Eating sweets is eating food. Notice in
1 Samuel 14:24-29, that after a fast was declared, no one would dear to even
touch the honey (sweets). Because sweets, even in it's lowest capacity is
considered food. In 1 Samuel 14:24-29, Johnathon had only dipped his staff in
the honey and tasted it and he was deemed as breaking the fast; of which he was
going to be put to death, but the people rescued him.
Six, have
a bath, wash your face and be normal. Nobody, by looking, should know that you
are fasting. Ask the Lord to keep you throughout the fast. Ask him for
sustenance from dizziness, headaches, fatigue and belly-aches, especially if
you are a novice. These are natural occurrences but usually when I pray for
them to go away, they do and upon regular fasting they become non-existent.
If your mind is on the Lord, you shouldn't have a problem, "Set
your affections on things above."
Seven and last point it, worshiping
God throughout the fast is vital. One cannot fast without worshiping God. Not
just a word of praise in the morning and song before bed. I mean locked in your
bathroom and lift holy hands and out of the bowls of your belly magnify God;
not necessarily for only what he has done for you but for who he is. Then there
are times you can be worshiping him in your mind `aloud', while doing something.
The point is, consistent worship must be done. A fast is not accepted unless
this is done (Zech 7:5, Acts 13:2,
I remember at school (BCC), while fasting, I felt dizzy like I was about to
pass out. All I did that day was to get up, pray about the fast, abstain from
food and drink and went about my business. That evening, when the dizziness
came on and I felt like I was going to pass out, I said to the Lord,
"Please allow me to break this fast, I can't manage." I wasn't driving
that day so I was about to ask someone for a lift to the nearest fast food
restaurant (of all places). Then the Lord said to me, "don't go,
worship." I hesitated and thought, "I'm the one feeling like I'm
going to drop down." However, I began to sing a chorus, then it broke out
into tongues and all of a sudden I felt revived and strengthened; to the point
that I reached in my bag and started passing
out tracks.
This one thing I learnt, a fast is a spiritual endeavor, therefore spiritual
things must be used to sustain it: worship, prayer and the “word”. This last
point brings us to the next sub-topic; and that is, fasting must be coupled
with prayer and studying God's word.
“ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove …and it shall remove…
but by prayer and fasting” (Matt
It is imperative that one
prays and studies God's word while fasting. You might not have a successful
fast unless you study and meditate upon the word of God and pray, pray, and more
praying! Sleeping through an entire fast is not accepted either. Fasting is not
just going without food; if that was the case, we would be the best of saints,
because we don't eat while we're sleeping and therefore fasting. On the other
hand, fasting is ministering to God and receiving his reflection, as outlined
in the acronyms below.
P - Praises and supplication W
- Weapon used to smite the heart
R - Resources are emptied
A - Adapt to his will O
- Offers pathway to reconciliation
Y - Yokes are broken
E - Energy perfected R
- Reproves the world of sin
R - Renewal of body, spirit and soul
D - Directs you back to God
The above acronyms are similar in outcome at the end. That is, the letters R
and D both bring us back to God. The first half of both words causes a state of
brokenness. A prayer of confession at the initial stage of fasting leads to
humility in the presence of God. You have acknowledged that your efforts have
failed and that only God can sustain you. Reading the "word" can rip
your conscience and show your sins plainly. Both usher you to develop a
"broken and contrite heart." And of course, this the Lord will not
refuse (psalms 51:17). Prayer and the word combined will carry you through a
process of reconciliation to God. One feels much closer than before, like God
is physically beside you hearing your prayers; “And if we know that he hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
(1 John 5:15).
When you are about to read the word, pray first and ask God to open your
understanding to the scripture. Ask for wisdom and not only knowledge,
illumination as well as revelation. Then secretly read the word of God and
allow the Holy Spirit to teach you. The bible did say, "Study to show
thyself approved unto God." In other words, for one to be approved unto
God for service, one must know God's word through studying it with him. You
should be able to talk (pray) to the Lord on the level of his word, as the
saints of old did. And may I also add that the word did say, "study to
show thyself approved unto God," and not merely unto men for a
show.
On the note of prayer, Matt. 6:5-7 shows us how we must pray and it states,
"when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love
to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they
maybe seen of men.... But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and
when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy father which is in secret: and thy
Father which is in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not
vain repetitions as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for
their much speaking."
Need I say more on prayer?
The above scripture is self-explanatory and should be followed for a successful
prayer life.
Verse 9-13 of the said Matt 6 then gives us an excellent example of a prayer.
Note an example ("after this manner"). Notice how this prayer begins
with worship, as ours should. That is, "our father... hallowed (holy) be
thy name." The prayer progress in such a fashion that the person praying, prays
according to the will of God and not "amiss" (James 4:3). The person
praying concludes with his own will broken and the desire is that God's will be
done. Take note at what preceded that, confession. Bookmark this prayer in your
memory and as the occasion arises, pray likewise. Here is a little more on
prayer with fasting:
“Fasting
is designed to make prayer mount up as on eagles' wings. It is intended to
usher the suppliant into the audience chamber of the King and to extend to him
the golden scepter. It may be expected to drive back the oppressing powers of
darkness and loosen their hold on the prayer objective. It is calculated to
give an edge to a man's intercessions and power to his petitions. Heaven is
ready to bend
its
ear to listen when someone prays with fasting.
How often we have made earnest prayer to God for some specific need, with the
assurance that this was in the will of God, and yet there has been no answer
from heaven. Why? It could well be, and often is, that God is saying to us,
"When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you" (Jer.
29:13-14). When a man is willing to set aside the legitimate appetites of the
body to concentrate on the work of praying, he is demonstrating that he means
business, that he is seeking with all his heart, and will not let God go unless
He answers.
This thought of fasting being an expression of whole-heartedness is clear from
Joel's call to the nation: "Yet even now," says the Lord,
"return to me with all your heart, with fasting..." (Joel 2:12).
”Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to conform the resolution that we are
ready to sacrifice anything [even water], to sacrifice ourselves to attain what
we seek for the
Without
a doubt this is an important aspect of the fasting prayer. Of course we must
not think of fasting as a hunger strike designed to force God's hand and get
our own way! Prayer, however, is much more complex than simply asking a loving
father to supply his child's need. Prayer is warfare. Prayer is wrestling. There
are opposing forces. There are spiritual cross currents. When we plead our case
in the court of heaven, when we cry to the judge of all the earth, `Vindicate me against my adversary' (Luke
18:3), that adversary is also represented in court (Job 1:6, 2:1, Zech 3:1).
It is not enough that the Judge is willing; there is the opposition that must
first be overcome.
The man who prays with fasting is giving heaven notice that he is truly in
earnest; that he will not let God go without the blessing; that he does not
intend to take `no' for an answer. He or she is using a means that God has
chosen to make his voice to be heard on high.”
-Arthur Wallis (God’s Chosen Fast)
In concluding, prayer and
reading the word of God is indispensable to a dynamic, anointed, result
producing and successful fast. It is also very important to listen to the voice
of God in whatever way he speaks. Whether through dreams, visions, “angels”,
scriptures, miracles, preachers, a song dropped in your soul, direct word from
God and many more ways (don't limit God). However, anything you perceive God to
be *speaking to you must not be contradictory to his rightly divided word, or
else it's not God.
END
NOTES: * This
asterisk denotes that many false spirits Have deceived many who are called
‘Christians’. This can be attributed to a Lack of knowing his word. This
deception is so serious that many among the Body of Christ have operated under
the influence of these spirits without realizing it. It's often called
mediumism and it's eternally deadly. Go to this link to learn more http://www.threeq.com/audio/occult.mp3
“all the people, went sat there before the
LORD,
and fasted that day until even” (Judges
The original principle duration
of a one-day fast is from sunrise to sunrise the following day (that's where
the term "breakfast" or "break-fast" comes from in the
morning) or from sunset to sunset (as commanded by God in Lev 32:31 - “from
even unto even”). That is, from
Many have also created their own time system, for instance
Nevertheless, a real one-day Holy Ghost, soul satisfying, landmark, God
answering fast is usually
If you are attempting a lengthy fast, over one or three days, two methods can
be applied; for example a twenty-one (21) day fast. The first method is to
begin the first day at 6:00 am, eating and drinking nothing until 6:00 am on
the twenty-second (22nd ) day; Saints this is not impossible but only attempt
if you believe God and possess that relationship with him; "as your faith
is be it unto you." We should strive to such levels and not exclude
ourselves with certain patriarchs of God.
The other method involves starting at
I once fasted for 60 days
unintentionally. I started out to fast for about 40 days and it was going well
until the 20th day. It so happened that I had a function to go to.
Surprisingly they had my favorite dish serving and I couldn’t help but to eat.
It was a two day meeting so I did the same thing the next day also. So I
started over the 40 days fast the following day, plus two added days for my
stupidity. The most I’ve gone straight without food or drink entirely is four
days ending that forty days fast. I did a few 40 days fast since then, graced
by the Lord. Nevertheless, I was under the age of 23, single and pulled to do
so. But anyone meaning business for God should strive to push the limits within
the confines of the set time principles of fasting.
“This kind goeth not out but by prayer
and fasting” (Matt
Verse 6 of Isaiah 58
typified the spiritual results of fasting, "To loose the bands of
wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and
that ye break every yoke." Fasting will produce the power and faith that
cuts asunder all wickedness, dismantles heavy burden, break every form of
bondage and free all who are oppressed. That is more than enough reason to
fast. Because the righteous are afflicted all day long. They are bearers of
many burdens; and the enemy tries to oppress us and bring us in yokes of
bondage daily. I know that a believer has a specific number of demons specially
assigned to them. So it is obvious why fasting is needed, as lack of it can be
disastrous to you spiritually.
Secondly, if a person depends on prayer alone without fasting, for flesh
control, this way will of necessity absorb very much of one's prayer time.
Prayer with fasting can attain far more immediate and direct results.
"Fasting gives us a much better grip on our fleshly, carnal nature; thus
enabling us to bring it into subjection unto Christ. This means that the more
we fast the more control we will have over our carnal desires. Some folks
struggle greatly with the sexual instinct. They could greatly reduce the
intensity of the conflict if they would engage in some "bona-fide"
fasting."
Another benefit of fasting is for ministering or ministry. Let me add that no
minister or ministry of any caliber can be effective without prayer and
fasting. Fasting is what generates new life and fresh anointing in your
ministry. Fasting strengthens your ministry and takes it to levels
unimaginable. God said in Matt. 17:20-21, "If ye have faith as a grain of
mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place;
and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this
kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." In other words, the power
needed to say to the mountain remove and to do the impossible, comes by faith
through fasting and prayer. When preachers preach to you to speak to your mountain,
it’s not going to move except you fast and pray; that’s the fatal part they
don’t tell you.
Fasting in terms of ministry brings about a resounding connection with God and
faith that one ceases from ministering for God and minister with him. So that
your very shadow passing by the sick heals such a person. In fact, without this
faith, certain demons cannot be cast out, as stated above. If a church needs to
propel to the next level in God, prayer and fasting are vital factors.
Fasting brings such belief and anointing! Do you believe it! Ah! Just thinking
about it and writing it makes me want to fast more. Think of what the church
could accomplish through fasting. Saints "buckle up," get consecrated
and anointed through fasting so we may gather the end time harvest and eat of
the fat of the land.
It is obvious how important fasting is in a believer's life, especially for
living and ministering: And guess what, once you're born-again, you're
automatically a minister.
So start a serious fasting
life today, Amen!
Fasting has many physical benefits as well, like keen perception, enhanced
memory, body system filtration, weight loss, ‘cleanse toxins,’ boost immune
system and many others. Usually for these types of specific results certain
types of fasting will be done; like a fruit fast, water fast or any of these
‘new fasts.’ These fasts are good and have physical benefits, but don’t present
that to God for spiritual results. For spiritual results, a fast should be
undertaken as outlined in this study – without food or water and with much
prayer, worship and study. This discourse is limited to the spiritual
values; which usually secures the natural, in the long and sometimes short run
(1 Tim 4:8).
“And when he had fasted forty days and forty
nights,
he was afterward an hungred” (Matt 4:2)
First, of course, one must
usher up praises, thanksgiving and worship to God for sustenance and his grace.
Not only for your break through but also for his tender mercies; for your prior
venture could have been disastrous spiritually or even fatal physically.
Remember, “when your car runs out of gas, it stops. When your body runs out of
gas, it has to keep going. If you don’t have enough energy or nutrients or fuel
coming in, your body still has to get by somehow. How it gets by,
unfortunately, is that it starts eating away at itself – meaning not just body
fat stores, but also muscle. Bodies, even at rest, do a lot of work. Internal
organs are always moving” (Cynthia Sass, Good News S. Florida, April 2003). So
the mere fact you survived is enough to give God thanks. But more so because we
know that “he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”(Heb 11:6).
Break with some form of liquid, preferably warm. Avoid heavy meals and fry
foods. Eat lightly, especially if you're going to begin the next day. Stop at
the first sign of being full. During the fast your belly was contracted, damage
can be done if re-stretched too quickly. “Eating large meals directs blood to
the stomach to help digestation. This makes you feel sluggish because there’s
less oxygen and nutrients going to the rest of the body – lighter, smaller
meals allow blood to flow to rest of the body normally” (Cynthia Sass, Good
News S. Florida, April 2003).
Rest a while before doing any physical activities or labor; let your body
recuperate. And remember dental hygiene. Thank the Lord again and expect your
"thing" from God and walk in it by faith.
In closing, Fasting is for
every saint and no limits should be set on gender, age, physical location,
daily vicissitude and other
variables. "As your faith is be it unto you." I believe if you set
your mind to it, no matter what, you will accomplish it with God's help. I
remember watching an N.B.A basketball series final one year. Hakeem was the
'star' of the Houston Rockets team, so he played the entire 40 minutes of the
game. Guess what? According to the commentators, he was on fasting; being a
devout Muslim. Imagine, a non-Christian can be on fasting during the most
pulsating and energetic sport. Not only that, he was even fasting during the
entire series. Then how is it some Christians find it hard to fast? Saints,
start fasting today!
May the Lord bless you as I hope you were edified. You owe it to yourself and
more so to God, to start fasting today! As I was told at Student Fellowship and
later came to realize, “You fast, last. You pray, you stay.”
Chapter 7
“So we fasted and besought our God for this:
and he was entreated of us” (Ezra
We have touched on almost
all the major scripture verses on fasting. However, the word fast, fasted,
fasting and fastings occurs elsewhere approximately 62 times. The intension of
this chapter is to explain all these other verses that have not been dealt
with. Making the reader not only knowledgeable in fasting from a biblical
perspective, but also having the assurance that every possible scripture verse
on fasting in the Bible is dealt with and rightly divided.
What had happen here was that
the children of
It
reads, “And they gathered together
to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted
on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged
the children of
Here the children of
Here the men that had buried
the bones of Saul fasted seven days. The reason for the fast is not clear, but
it could be for mourning, reverence, cleansing, astonishment, or all of the
above. While mourning for the loss of lives, they were sometimes fastings.
Nevertheless, upon burying Saul they went without food or drink for seven days.
Note: I Samuel 31:13 and 1 Chronicles 10:12 are the same
account of the same event.
Here King David had slept
with the wife of a chief soldier of his, Uriah. Having found out that she was
pregnant, he had Uriah killed. God knowing the deed sent a prophet to David for
this evil action. The prophet prophesied a coming judgment to David for this
deed. Amongst that was the death of the child that Uriah’s wife bore. So in
verse 16 he wept and fasted for the child when it became sick, remembering the
Lord’s judgment to kill it. In this case, God being sovereign hearken not to
David and the child died. When the child died his servant dialogued with him in
verses 21-23 about fasting for the child again in its death. But he refused, cleansed
himself and had sex with Bathsheba for another child, which was Solomon. Here
we see God not hearkening to the voice of fasting and prayer for reasons not
clear, could be for the child’s sake, not to have him born in shame.
It
reads, “And she wrote in the
letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the
people…They proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.”
Unlike most of the fasts
mentioned earlier, this was a set up by that wicked Queen Jezebel to slay a man
called Naboth to take his land. In verse 9 she wrote the letter for them to set
up a fake fast to get Naboth to attend. Then in verse 12 they had the false
fast where Naboth was slain. In Acts
23:14, there was
another case where men fasted to do evil. It reads, “They came to the chief
priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves
under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.”
Of course this didn’t work and Paul escaped with you and I being blessed by his
ministry even to this day. But Naboth died, but that wasn’t the end of it.
It
reads, “And it came to pass, when
Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his
flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.”
After Jezebel had Naboth
killed for Ahab, God sent Elijah to meet Ahab by Naboth vineyard. Elijah then
prophesied evil against him and his whoring wife Jezebel, because they both
were extremely wicked in
It
reads, “And Jehoshapat feared, and
set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all
Here the enemies of
It
reads, “Then I proclaimed a fast
there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God,
to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our
substance For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and
horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way; because we had spoken unto
the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him;
but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted
and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.”
Here Ezra did a most
honorable thing. He fasted and sought the Lord rather that seek secular help.
To “afflict ourselves,” as previously discussed, meant they abstained from
water and food, plus went in sackcloth and ashes seeking direction from God.
This is what it meant to fast, that’s why he said in verse 23, “we fasted.”
Here Nehemiah went on
fasting for
It
reads, “Now in the twenty and fourth
day of this month the children of
Here the children of
It
reads, “And in every province,
whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great
mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many
lay in sackcloth and ashes.”
Because the Jew’s enemy,
Haman, had finally gotten permission to execute the Jews, many went on fasting;
which was accompanied with great mourning, weeping, wailing and of course,
sackcloth and ashes. This fast continued for an additional three days when
Ester said in verse 16 of chapter 4, “fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink
three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise.” You also
should fast likewise.
It
reads, “To confirm these days of
Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the
queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their
seed, the matters of fastings and their cry.”
Here the Jews “took upon
them…that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation”
(Esther
It
reads, “But as for me, when they
were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting;
and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”
Here David lamented that
those whom he showed favor to or had done them good has turn around and did him
evil. In this verse he gave an example
of the good he did for them, which was prayer and fasting – “when they were
sick…I humbled my soul with fasting.” What love! This is the fast God wants
rather than fasting of strives (Isa 58). This also shows that you can fast for
others and not just yourself. But do so unselfishly, not expecting anything in
return, even without them knowing; because like here, the devil can stir them
to do you evil and you can feel hurt or even upset with God. You do not want
anything from them, nor should you expect anything, you are doing it because
the spirit of the Lord stirs you to do it, with love.
It
reads, “When I wept, and chastened
my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.”
Here David was again in separation
in prayer without food or drink seeking the face of the Lord. But he became a
proverb or byword to the people (Ps 69:11). Reason being, “the zeal of the Lord
had eaten him up.” In other words, he was striving to live godly - fasting
often, praying always and meditating on the scriptures. But this doesn’t go
well with all people, especially if they think you shouldn’t be doing it. As a
result, they will do things to exclude you and talk behind your back. This will
most often occur if you live how God intends you to live. Because ”all that
will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”(2 Tim
It
reads, “My knees are weak through fasting;
and my flesh faileth of fatness.”
In other words, because he
had gone without food or water for a period, his physical body became weak. His
strength was abated. Of course this is normal and an obvious effect of fasting,
but we should rather pray and ask God’s strength to go on; which he will give.
It
reads, “When they fast, I
will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I
will not accept them: but I will consume them by thy sword, and by the famine,
and by the pestilence.”
Here
It
reads, “Therefore go thou, and read
in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in
the ears of the people in the LORD’s house upon the fasting day: and
also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their
cities.”
Here God instructed Jeremiah
to have the words of a book to be read on a day of fasting; which usually
occurs on a Jewish Holy Day. Reason being, on those fasting days all the people
were gathered. This also showed that fasting is not only meant to be personal
but also corporate – “church fast”.
It
reads, “And it came to pass in the
fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month,
that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in
Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto
Jerusalem.”
This was the fasting day or
Holy Day that Jeremiah choose to have the book read,
as commanded by the Lord in verse 6. Again, this was appropriate because on
these general fasting days, all the people were gathered.
This is another scenario
where the word fasting was used merely to mean no consumption of food and
possibly drink, rather than fasting and prayer to the Lord. Here King Darius, a
heathen King, loved Daniel greatly but was confined to have him put in the
Lion’s den. However, he greatly hoped nothing happened to him; he even said,
“Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Dan
It
reads, “And I set my face unto the
Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and
sackcloth, and ashes.”
Here Daniel sought the Lord
to know the visions and mysteries of the end time. Notice that even though he
went without food or water in prayer for a specific reason, he started out by
making a prayer of confession, “And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my
confession” (Dan 9:4). Which he did for himself and all
It
reads, “Sanctify ye a fast,
call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land
into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD.”
Here the Lord was
admonishing the people through the Prophet Joel to call a general fast; which
would also gather the people in a general assembly and among that would be
crying, mourning, lamenting in sackcloth and ashes. Reason being, God had
purpose to destroy and it was at hand. This destruction was described in
chapter 2. God was admonishing them to turn to him with fasting because even
though he plans to destroy, “who knoweth if he will return and repent, and
leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the
LORD your God” (Joel 2:14)? Thus the reason for this calling to fast. We can
see here that fasting is a means whereby we say, “God we are sorry, here we
are, make a mense and help us to turn to you.” It shows you are serious and God
set it so.
Here the Lord is calling for
the people to turn to him. But notice that he didn’t just say to turn to him,
but rather with fasting and prayer. In other words, God not only is reverenced
with fasting, but also wants us to do it.
It
reads, “Blow the trumpet in
Because of the Lord’s
calling the people to turn to him with fasting in Joel
Of course most are familiar
with Jonah and
It
reads, “Speak unto all the people of
the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the
fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me,
even to me?”
Here is another verse
similar to Isa 58:3,4,5 and 6. This showed that one can go on fasting and God
choose not hear, because one did not do it right, had wrong motives or practice
evil deeds while fasting. This showed that they were not fasting with a sincere
repentant heart, but rather out of ritual or custom. That’s why God chasten
them in this scripture by rhetorically asking, “which God did you fast to those
years while being evil, stiff-necked and untrue; Surely not me?” He went
further to admonish us by saying we should, “execute true judgment, and shew
mercy and compassions every man to his brother” (Zec 7:9) rather than come
before him with fasting while not doing these. In other words, it has to be
balanced. Fast but also do good. Do good but don’t neglect fasting.
It
reads, “Thus saith the LORD of
hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth,
and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be
to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the
truth and peace.”
They were set fasting dates,
from even the Laws given to Moses; for certain times of the year. Now the children of
Here Jesus had fasted 40
days and night and naturally he hungered; if not, he wouldn’t be human and thus
couldn’t have been a sacrifice for you and I. Notice the occurrence of 40 days;
this number is used most often in scripture for preparation and that’s why
after this his earthly ministry started. It was a preparation for things to
come.
It
reads, “And the disciples of John
and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast,
but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them Can the
bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they
have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come,
when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast
in those days.”
It
reads, “And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make
prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?”
Here the disciples of John
were enquiring a most pertinent question of Jesus – why aren’t the disciples
fasting often as they do or even as the Pharisees? Christ made it clear that
while he is with them why should they fast, they simply ask him for what they
want or reverence him there. Why mourn when he is there? This showed two great
points. One, in the resurrection when we are reigning with Christ, they will be
no need to fast anymore. Two, men usually fast to God who they deemed far away
and fasting would draw them near. This then showed that Jesus is God, because
he, the one whom we fast to, was with them – the one and only God from Due 6:4.
Remember, they were Jews and knew no Trinity, so the God that Jesus be that was
with them is Yahovah (Jehovah) who appeared to their ancestors on
But now that Jesus had ascended
we are to fast as he himself alluded to, “But the days will come, when the
bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” We know that
the disciples fasted (Acts 13:2) after Christ’s ascension and we should too
(Matt
It
reads, “Then Jesus called his
disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they
continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send
them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.”
It reads, “And if I send them away fasting to their own houses,
they will faint by the way: for divers from them came from far.”
Here the people weren’t
fasting to the Lord. They were following Jesus were ever he went, to either
receive a miracle or see a miracle. With eagerness of both, appetite would be
side stepped without notice or even care. The mind would have simply adapted
not knowing that the body needs food, as in the case when somebody is worrying.
Christ deciding to finish his public appearance had compassion on them, knowing
that after that eagerness and bliss is gone, the mind would kick back in tune
with the body, recognizes that it hadn’t eaten and become faint going back
home. Moreover, there was no food around for miles away. He then decides to
feed them lest when they become faint stumble in the way because of lack of
food; hence the phrase “send them away fastings” – as in simply haven’t eaten
anything and not necessarily fasting to the Lord.
Note: Matthew
It
reads, “And he said unto them, this
kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”
This is the same account of
Matthew 17:20-21, which is exhausted in chapter 5 and on the back cover. We had
realized that this verse of all New Testament account showed the importance of
fasting to us. Unfortunately, Mark did not record as much as Matthew did. Only
the last line of the said account in Matthew 17:20-21 was recorded in Mark.
It
reads, “And she was a widow of about
fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God
with fastings and prayers night and day.”
Here we see Ana, a
prophetess who “served God with fastings and prayer night and day.” Which means
she fasted often. Notice that this should be an outstanding Characteristic of
anyone who claims to be a prophet today, yesterday and until Christ returns.
Might I add, this should be the case for all ministers.
Here Christ was describing a
Pharisee who exalted the things he did to justify himself. Not that the things
he did was wrong, because we should fast, tithe, avoid adultery, extortion and
other sins. However, as alluded to in Matt
It
reads, “And Cornelius said, Four
days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the night hour I prayed
in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing….”
Cornelius, a godly man, was
on fasting with prayer. Meaning he abstained from food or drink with much
prayer. He was always a man of prayer because verse 2 of chapt 10 said he
“prayed to God always.” However, on this occasion he was fasting and praying;
and by now we should know that this bring results. Because at the ninth hour an
angel appeared unto him, like how Gabriel came to Daniel. Notice what the angel
said when someone set aside food and drink to seek God, “thy prayer is heard”
(Acts
It
reads, “As they ministered to the
Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for
the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and
prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Here is a good example of
the results of fasting. Notice also that they ministered to God through
fastings. Then while in this ministration, the Lord spake boldly to ordain
certain apostles for a certain work. So they laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul
while in fasting, to sent them yonder to preach the
Gospel. It is obvious that fasting and prayer was the lifestyle of the early
church and thus much teaching was not needed on it, because even the
non-Christians fasted (Acts 10). Today we shouldn’t let this lifestyle slip and
contend for the faith of the early believers, thus much teaching is needed in
this area. If the salvation doctrine (Acts
It
reads, “And when they had ordained
them elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended
them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
Here is a great example of
using fasting and prayer in everyday things. Many person
just ordain elders and leaders at will or just allow church to flow without
fasting and prayer. But here we note Paul and Barnabas having started several
churches, ordained and set the principles thereof with fasting and prayer.
Though many say the New Testament didn’t give much teaching on fasting and thus
the importance of it is not great, here we see a great example. The reason why
much is not said of it was because it was a way of life, you were expected to
fast once or twice a week and even non-Christians fasted, as seen with
Cornelius (Acts 10). Therefore, fasting was a common knowledge handed down from
the ancestors; and as Jesus even said that when he’s gone (ascension) we his
disciples “shall fast” (Matt
It
reads, “And while the day was coming
on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day
that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.”
Here we see the word fasting
used to simply mean not eating rather than a spiritual task to ask the favor of
God. But even Paul confirm this when he said, “having taken nothing.” Meaning,
he said they were fasting, loosely using the word, because they hadn’t eaten
anything because of the terrifying ship journey.
It
reads, “In stripes, in
imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings.”
It
reads, “In weariness and
painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings
often, in cold and nakedness”
Since Paul used this word
fasting to mean a type of hunger in a difficult time (Acts 27:33) fasting in
both verses then has two meanings. He could have said he suffered hunger for
the sake of the gospel or voluntarily went on fasting to seek the Lord (Acts
Note: Both verses allude to the same thing.
Conclusion
This chapter along with the
rest of the book has cited every verse in the bible were fasting is used,
making it clear to anyone seeking the knowledge of this ancient landmark
satisfied in its full understanding.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Oneil McQuick has responded in a most positive way to
the challenge of youthful strength by choosing the channel
his energy into the very rewarding exercise of the study of the word of
God. This undying love for the Word of
God has allowed him to be the author of several books including “The Voice…,” “Demonology
Revealed” and “You Believe, Now Receive...” (Truth Series).
He will also confess that his studies, however intense, have not afforded him
the privilege to expound on the word of God, but like Jesus, it was simply
given! In other words, it is the spirit of the Lord upon him that has graced
him to write these books, newsletter, tracks, pamphlets and articles; as he
confesses, "Nothing more, nothing less! Grace!"
His Christian walk began in
Elder G. Johnson, M.B.A
(Bank Manager, Bible Teacher, Head Admin Personnel for the Emmanuel Apostolic
Churches)
This is the latest version October, 2003
L.I.M (Liberation International Ministries)
