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Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the
Bible. Jesus expected His followers to fast and He
said that God honors and rewards fasting. Fasting,
according to the Bible, means to voluntarily reduce or
eliminate your intake of food for a specific time and
purpose.
“When you give up eating, don't put on a sad face like
the hypocrites. They make their faces look sad to
show people they are giving up eating. I tell you the
truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward.
So when you give up eating, comb your hair and wash
your face. Then people will not know that you are
giving up eating, but your Father, whom you cannot
see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in
secret, and he will reward you.” Matt. 6:16-18
WHY FAST?
There are many good reasons for fasting. These are
only a few of those reasons and benefits.
Announce a holy fast. Tell the people not to eat
anything. Gather them together for a special service.
Send for all of the elders who live in the land. Have
them come to the house of the Lord your God and pray
to him. Joel 1:14
We follow the example and admonition of Jesus.
Jesus knew he needed spiritual strength to fulfill his
purposes. Fasting makes us physically weak, but
spiritually strong and prepares us to do God’s work.
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert… There the
devil tempted him. After 40 days and 40 nights of
fasting, Jesus was hungry… Jesus returned to
Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him
spread through the whole countryside. John 4:1,2
And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your
faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a
mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move
from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will
be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out
except by prayer and fasting." Matt. 17:19-20
Fasting gives you more time for prayer.
You can use the time you would normally spend
eating as time in prayer for what God wants to do
among us during this Campaign. In the Bible, fasting
is always connected with prayer.
Bible. Jesus expected His followers to fast and He
said that God honors and rewards fasting. Fasting,
according to the Bible, means to voluntarily reduce or
eliminate your intake of food for a specific time and
purpose.
“When you give up eating, don't put on a sad face like
the hypocrites. They make their faces look sad to
show people they are giving up eating. I tell you the
truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward.
So when you give up eating, comb your hair and wash
your face. Then people will not know that you are
giving up eating, but your Father, whom you cannot
see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in
secret, and he will reward you.” Matt. 6:16-18
WHY FAST?
There are many good reasons for fasting. These are
only a few of those reasons and benefits.
Announce a holy fast. Tell the people not to eat
anything. Gather them together for a special service.
Send for all of the elders who live in the land. Have
them come to the house of the Lord your God and pray
to him. Joel 1:14
We follow the example and admonition of Jesus.
Jesus knew he needed spiritual strength to fulfill his
purposes. Fasting makes us physically weak, but
spiritually strong and prepares us to do God’s work.
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert… There the
devil tempted him. After 40 days and 40 nights of
fasting, Jesus was hungry… Jesus returned to
Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him
spread through the whole countryside. John 4:1,2
And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your
faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a
mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move
from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will
be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out
except by prayer and fasting." Matt. 17:19-20
Fasting gives you more time for prayer.
You can use the time you would normally spend
eating as time in prayer for what God wants to do
among us during this Campaign. In the Bible, fasting
is always connected with prayer.
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the
Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them. So after they
had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on
them and sent them off.” Acts 13:2-3
Fasting demonstrates sincerity and determination.
It shows that you mean business with God – that you
are serious enough about your prayer request to pay a
personal price. God honors deep desire and praying
in faith.
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to Me with all
your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Joel 2:12
Fasting releases God’s supernatural power.
It is a tool we can use when there is opposition to God’
s will. Satan would like nothing better than to cause
division, discouragement, defeat, depression, and
doubt among us. United prayer and fasting has
always been used by God to deal a decisive blow to
the enemy!
“So we fasted and prayed to God about this, and He
answered our prayer.” Ezra 8:23
“God says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have
chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the
cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break
every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6
Fasting is healthy.
It cleanses your digestive system from toxins. Doctors
consider fasting a cure for some allergies and
diseases. By learning to deny ourselves and
exercising discipline, fasting breaks unhealthy
addictions in our life.
TWO CAUTIONS
Remember that fasting is not “earning” an answer to
prayer. God cannot be blackmailed by human effort.
God wants to answer our prayers and He answers out
of grace. Fasting simply prepares us for God’s answer.
Fast only if your health allows it at this time. If you are
able only to do a partial fast - do it in faith and God will
honor your intentions.
Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them. So after they
had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on
them and sent them off.” Acts 13:2-3
Fasting demonstrates sincerity and determination.
It shows that you mean business with God – that you
are serious enough about your prayer request to pay a
personal price. God honors deep desire and praying
in faith.
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to Me with all
your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Joel 2:12
Fasting releases God’s supernatural power.
It is a tool we can use when there is opposition to God’
s will. Satan would like nothing better than to cause
division, discouragement, defeat, depression, and
doubt among us. United prayer and fasting has
always been used by God to deal a decisive blow to
the enemy!
“So we fasted and prayed to God about this, and He
answered our prayer.” Ezra 8:23
“God says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have
chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the
cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break
every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6
Fasting is healthy.
It cleanses your digestive system from toxins. Doctors
consider fasting a cure for some allergies and
diseases. By learning to deny ourselves and
exercising discipline, fasting breaks unhealthy
addictions in our life.
TWO CAUTIONS
Remember that fasting is not “earning” an answer to
prayer. God cannot be blackmailed by human effort.
God wants to answer our prayers and He answers out
of grace. Fasting simply prepares us for God’s answer.
Fast only if your health allows it at this time. If you are
able only to do a partial fast - do it in faith and God will
honor your intentions.
RECOMMENDED KINDS OF FAST
Water fast
You do not eat anything or drink anything but water
only for seven days. Make sure you to drink at least 2
liters of water a day. You may have vitamin
supplements to keep yourself in shape, but it is not
necessary.
Liquid fast
You drink fruit or vegetable juices to substitute your
regular meals. If you regularly eat 3 times a day, then
you drink your juice also 3 times a day. You should not
drink juice several times a day as it would greatly
upset your physical adjustment. Drink plenty of water
in between meals to help tide over your hunger. Do
not drink milk. Not only is it a “meal” in itself, but it
also causes digestive liquids to fill your stomach as it
is high in protein. This will stimulate the digestion
cycle and heighten hunger pangs again and even
cause pain.
Partial fast (eat only one meal a day or abstain from
certain food)
You will eat only one meal a day. If your job requires
too much physical activity, this can work for you. We
highly recommend eating during lunch to sustain your
energy throughout the day. Do not over eat as this will
upset your gastric balance and stimulate hunger
pangs, which in turn will make your fasting more
difficult and physically grueling.
Daniel’s fast
Having fruits and vegetables only for your 3 major
meals and nothing more. This is a kind of fast that can
be extended for long periods. It is highly
recommended to drink plenty of water.
Choose which type of fasting you desire and commit
to it for the duration you have also chosen.
Joel 2: 12 - 17
"Turn to me now, while there is time!
Give me your hearts. Come ...
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Don't tear your clothing in your grief;
instead, tear your hearts."
Water fast
You do not eat anything or drink anything but water
only for seven days. Make sure you to drink at least 2
liters of water a day. You may have vitamin
supplements to keep yourself in shape, but it is not
necessary.
Liquid fast
You drink fruit or vegetable juices to substitute your
regular meals. If you regularly eat 3 times a day, then
you drink your juice also 3 times a day. You should not
drink juice several times a day as it would greatly
upset your physical adjustment. Drink plenty of water
in between meals to help tide over your hunger. Do
not drink milk. Not only is it a “meal” in itself, but it
also causes digestive liquids to fill your stomach as it
is high in protein. This will stimulate the digestion
cycle and heighten hunger pangs again and even
cause pain.
Partial fast (eat only one meal a day or abstain from
certain food)
You will eat only one meal a day. If your job requires
too much physical activity, this can work for you. We
highly recommend eating during lunch to sustain your
energy throughout the day. Do not over eat as this will
upset your gastric balance and stimulate hunger
pangs, which in turn will make your fasting more
difficult and physically grueling.
Daniel’s fast
Having fruits and vegetables only for your 3 major
meals and nothing more. This is a kind of fast that can
be extended for long periods. It is highly
recommended to drink plenty of water.
Choose which type of fasting you desire and commit
to it for the duration you have also chosen.
Joel 2: 12 - 17
"Turn to me now, while there is time!
Give me your hearts. Come ...
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Don't tear your clothing in your grief;
instead, tear your hearts."
PRAYER and FASTING
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