Pastor Tim sent this to me when I asked him for some teaching on fasting. I believe the Lord is calling me to a 40 day fast for my movie ministry. I am starting February 22, the day after my 32nd birthday and ending Good Friday, April 2nd. Pray for me. I am expecting an encounter.
The Spiritual Discipline of Fasting |
Joel 1:14 “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.”
Fasting may be defined as periods of time when believers choose to go without food or other things with which we commonly fill up our lives, in order to become more fully dependant upon God. Fasting is “unplugging” from other power sources so that we can more fully “plug in” to God. When a believer fasts, he or she is saying to God, “I trust You for all that I need; because of Your power and provision I don’t need anything else.” It also says to our flesh, “You don’t rule me—God does!” Fasting is a radical way to grow in our relationship with the Lord and prepare ourselves for His work.
As important as it is to discover what fasting is, it’s also crucial to understand what it is not. First, fasting is not a way to rid ourselves of evil. Some false belief-systems consider our flesh to be evil and that people must work their way to God through the “purification” of our physical bodies. People that believe this lie have starved themselves, crawled for miles on their knees and have even allowed themselves to be nailed to crosses in order to “purge themselves” of wickedness. God’s Word is clear—Jesus made the perfect sacrifice once and for all so that ALL of mankind’s sin might be washed away. The only way to get free from our sin is to receive His free gift of salvation! 1 Peter 2:24 states, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”
Second, fasting is not a way to “look religious,” lose weight, or affect any other aspect of a person’s outward appearance. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 6:16‑18, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” If someone’s motivation to go without food is to appear religious or to lose extra pounds, then this is not a Biblical fast and it will not bring any spiritual reward. True fasting is always a reflection of the passion of one’s heart to grow in the Lord.
Let’s take a look at several important truths about fasting.
1. Fasting is Biblical. Throughout God’s Word we find men, women, groups and even whole nations humbling themselves before the Lord in times of fasting. Ezra (Ezra 8:21), the Israelites (Nehemiah 9:1-3), Esther (Esther 4:16), David (2 Samuel 12:16-23), Daniel (Daniel 10:1-3), Jesus (Matthew 4:1-2) and the disciples (Acts 13:2-3) are some of those mentioned in Scripture as having fasted.
2. Fasting can include giving up other things besides food. We fill up our lives with so many things that can easily become what “ministers” to us, rather than God. Many people turn to their friends rather than to Jesus. Others turn to music—whenever they want to feel better they just pop in a CD (Christian music as well as secular). Some turn to sports, movies or TV, computer games, educational pursuits, romantic relationships, novels, internet, hobbies, etc. None of these things are inherently bad, however, ANY of them can become “idols” in our lives (things we allow to minister to our needs rather than Jesus). By surrendering these kinds of things to the Lord during a fast, we are declaring to the Lord and ourselves: we will live in freedom and have no master other than Jesus! Whatever type of fast that is entered into, it is wise to ask God what He wants us to give up for that season of time. Obedience to Him will bring great victory.
3. Fasting usually involves going without food. Why? Food is the one universal thing which we all depend upon for strength. Giving it up for a season is difficult—but it boldly declares our passion to be dependant upon God alone. There are several ways that one can fast from foods:
• What is commonly called a “Daniel fast” is one that limits one’s diet to only fruits and vegetables (Daniel 1:8-16). Almost everyone can participate in this kind of a fast without physical difficulty.
• A “partial fast” is where one limits his or her eating to one or two meals per day. If one chooses only to eat dinner during a partial fast, then they will fast from after dinner until dinner time the next day.
• A “juice fast” is one that includes no solid foods but does allow for various juices. This greatly helps to maintain energy for those who have an active schedule. Many people have found that it is quite possible to fast for as long as forty days while consuming only juice and water.
• A “water fast” is difficult for longer periods of time and one should use caution when drinking only water for more than a few days. Preparations should be made to cut back on regular activities when consuming only water as one’s energy level will be significantly effected.
4. For those who are fasting from foods, wisdom should be used before, during and after the fast. Here are four ways that you can help yourself to fast successfully, reducing unnecessary strain on your body:
• Prepare yourself before the fast. Reduce your intake of processed sugar, caffeine and other chemically-laced foods and drinks prior to your fast. This will help to reduce fatigue, headaches and other side effects that may be experienced if you suddenly cut them from your diet.
• Drink more liquids than usual. Drinking extra liquids (especially water) will ensure that you do not become dehydrated and will help to remove toxins from your body.
• Increase your sleep and rest while fasting. This will help you to maintain your energy levels.
• End your fast slowly. Especially if you have been on a liquid fast for more than a couple days, your body will need time to readjust to digesting solid food again. Take a couple of days to ease into foods by eating mild fruits and soups—and NEVER break a fast with a large meal!
5. For some, fasting should NOT include going without food! Those who are involved in sports or jobs that require heavy activity, those with diabetes or other illnesses that are affected by food intake, those who are pregnant and those who that struggle with eating disorders should NOT go without food! People in these categories can fast in other spiritually powerful ways. Remember that fasting has to do with becoming more dependent on God and less dependent on those things with which we normally fill our lives. Fasting has nothing to do with hurting our bodies! If you have any question about whether going without all foods or certain foods for a period of time might have a harmful effect on your body, then seek the advice of your doctor before fasting.
6. Set aside time during your fast to pray, read God’s Word and worship. Just because you are fasting doesn’t guarantee you’ll have special times with the Lord—you have to make room for these in your busy schedule. Before fasting, select the “prayer targets” for which you will be praying. Are there areas in your life, family, friends, church, world, etc. that need spiritual breakthrough? Allow these to become specific target areas for which you will pray during your fast.
7. Before your fast, seek God for direction as to how you are to fast and for how long. Sometimes there are times of “corporate fasting” when someone will call people to a specific time of fasting (read examples of this: Esther 4:16, Jeremiah 36:9, Ezra 8:21-23). Other times we choose to enter into fasts individually in order to humbly come before the Lord for worship and spiritual warfare. When we obediently commit to a certain type of fast for a certain length of time, we can then find others who will help to hold us accountable.
8. Do not allow the devil to condemn you if you don’t complete your fast exactly how you had intended. We are used to eating or doing whatever we want whenever we want! It’s not easy to give things up—even for a short time. Remember that God never condemns us for falling short, but in His grace always allows us to pick up and keep going. The devil is the only one who wants us to feel like we have failed God! Don’t give our enemy an inch—rather, continue on in your fast with a renewed commitment to rely on the power of the Lord.
9. Get ready for breakthrough! Though we do not fast to get something from God, when we begin to plug into Him, aligning our passions with His and declaring our dependency upon Him, we are setting the stage for what God wants to do both in us and through us. Many have experienced great spiritual insights and points of breakthrough during times of fasting. Some have received visions, healings and other miracles during and after times of fasting. Expect God to do great things when you obediently step into this radical form of worship.