What Does The Bible Say About Fasting And Why Should I Do It?
Simply put, fasting from the Bible perspective is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.
According to the Word, there are three responsibilities of every Bible believing, strong faith Christian: give, pray and fast.
Biblical fasting takes a bit of discipline and strength—strength which you can only receive from God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Your personal discipline in this area will bring you rewards in Heaven, according to Matthew (chapter) 6.
At the beginning of every year, you can create some very effective habits by blocking out the distractions and focusing on God and your relationship with Him. When you give God your first through fasting, prayer and giving at the start of the new year, you will set the course for the entire year and beyond. Even if it’s it mid-year, it’s not too late to get God’s direction.
Why should I fast? There are many good reasons but here are a few things you should be thinking about
- Are you in need of healing or a miracle?
- Do you need a touch of God in your life?
- You have a dream but not sure how to realize it.
- Are you interceding for unbelieving friend to come into the full knowledge of God and salvation?
- Are you wanting a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?
- Do you want to be more sensitive to the move and guiding of the Holy Spirit in your daily life and dealing with others?
- Are you in bondage to some bad habit or sin that you know you need to get out of?
BIBLE Passages With A Fasting Emphasis
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
-1 Timothy 2:1-2
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.”
-Romans 12:1
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
-Matthew 6:33
“[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?”
-Isaiah 58:6
When you are praying you should target your prayers. Two specific areas we should be focusing on together in fasting are leadership and finances. The Bible instructs us to continually pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). When we lift up our leaders, here in our country and around the world, we can expect God’s peace in our lives and in our nation.
Another great promise, from the book of Isaiah, proclaims that the chosen fast will “undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free.” We are living in tough economic times and we know that so many people are under a financial burden. As we come together to fast and pray, we believe that your burdens will be lifted and that financial blessings will be released into your life!
We encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and let your decisions about your biblical fasting come from Him. Ask the Lord to show you areas to target during your time of fasting and prayer. We believe that, as we pray and seek God and give Him our best at the first of the year, He will bless your WHOLE year (Matthew 6:33)! The more frequently your fast during the year, the more sensitive you will be to hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Fasting is a essential piece to living and strong faith lifestyle. It is something you should do. We recommend you do it at least once a month as it helps you to get your mind off the distractions around you and focus on the Father and His Word.
We should all be fasting and praying, then we can watch the power of God working even more in our daily lives.
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