Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Fasting is to go without food and/or water for a period of time. We can also fast digital distractions, media and speech yet, it must be accompanied by sacrificing meals, pleasant bread or treats. A prayer of repentance in the Bible was always followed by a time of fasting. Fasting does not change God, it changes us and draws us close to His presence. Fasting clears our spiritual ears to hear Him and opens our spiritual eyes to see the truth clearly.
After the sin of Achan, the army of Joshua was defeated at a city called Ai. They did not approach Ai with humility and with the hosts of the heavenly army but with their own strength. If Joshua had enquired with the Lord for the battle strategy the Lord would have revealed the sin that was hidden in the camp but overconfidence after the victory at Jericho resulted in a shameful defeat. Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening (Joshua 7:6a). After a day’s fasting, the Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? (vs 10). Similarly, we see the repentance of David followed by 7 days fasting (2 Samuel 12:16-18). Further, Saul did not eat or drink for 3 days after his encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything (Acts 9:9).
Fasting is an act of humbling ourselves before the Lord. It is an expression of true repentance, genuine love and reverential fear of the Lord.
Proclaim a Fast:
- Accuse: Fasting silences the accusing voice of the guilty conscience and the enemy and overcome shame and stigma.
- Attack: Fasting empowers us to overthrow demonic attacks and closes the doors opened by careless, unknown or stubborn sins. God will reveal the cause of the attack and will arm us to overpower it.
- Anguish: Fasting turns anguish into artillery.
Fasting that follows repentance empowers and liberates.
Prayer: Father God, reveal and deep the secret things of my heart and empower me to overcome. Amen.
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