06/09/2020
*PRAYER WITH FASTING*
Church Kiriri Date: 06/09/2020
Introduction: Fasting was a common practice among the Jews, the early Christians and remains a common spiritual discipline among Christians today. Though it is a God appointed means for the flowing of His grace and power into our lives, to some believers, it has fallen out of favor because of the developed culture of instant gratification. Therefore, it needs to be restored to the prayer-equation, lest we forget about it. As is in the case of intercessory prayer, fasting is co-laboring with God. It is a privilege to be able to seek favor of God as Moses did in Deuteronomy 9: 18-27.
*What is fasting?*
It is voluntary abstinence from food (or other personal appetites) with a goal of focusing one’s attention on God. It represents a very real sacrifice that releases power or a display of God’s blessing by aligning us with His purposes and will. It is a key to the supernatural that releases God’s presence in our lives.
*Types of Fast*
Complete (Absolute or dry) fast in which one refrains from all food and all liquid, normally for three days, for instance Esther (see Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9).
Regular (Normal) fast involves refraining from all food and drink except water; no nourishment is consumed, including juice, alcohol, or sweeteners. That’s the kind of fast that Jesus undertook during His temptation in the wilderness (see Matt. 4:2). This is quite feasible and can last for one day to several weeks.
Partial fast means you refrain from part of your nourishment. You may decide to skip a certain meal every day, or you may restrict your intake of certain foods. It is seen in Dan. 1:8-16; 10:2-3), Daniel and his friends refrained from eating meat and rich foods. Their partial fast consisted of a vegetable-only diet. This fast is of great value when circumstances hinder or inconvenience one from undertaking a normal fast. It is also a great first step toward a more complete fast.
Liquid fast, you partake of liquids such as juices, clear broth, and water, but you take no solid food for a determined period. People who undertake extended fasts will use this form, even adding nutritional supplements to help sustain them for the duration.
*Fasting must be unto God and in God’s way*
Prophet Zechariah addressed the God’s people’s fasting which had nothing to do with the celebration of the goodness of God or the desire to be obedient to God or any genuine desire for inward change. The people’s fasts were just futile rituals devoid of any spiritual meaning, undertaken as they commemorate past tragedies like the destruction of the temple. Such fasts were earlier condemned by the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 58 (Zechariah 7:5-7).
Jesus teaches that we should not undertake fasting simply to appear pious but should be focused on enjoying close converse with God who sees what is done in secret (Matthew 6:16-18).
The call to set Barnabas and Saul as missionaries came while the believers were worshipping the Lord and fasting. Thus, we should be we willing to seek the Lord for his direction in the work of ministry. (Acts 13:2).
*Reasons for Fasting*
To express consecration to God. Through fasting we consecrate ourselves to do God’s work. This was illustrated by Jesus’ 40 days of fasting to consecrate His ministry (Luke 4:1-2). Moses consecrated himself through 40 days of fasting on Mt. Sinai with God (Exodus 34:28) and another 40 days to reverse the judgement of God against His people (Deut. 9:18-20).
Elijah after being ministered to by an angel in the wilderness, consecrated and prepared himself to meet with God on Mt. Horeb by fasting 40 days (1 Kings 19:8).
To be heard on high. Fasting gives power to a demand, bringing pressure to bear in support of one’s request. Prayer is warfare, wrestling. There are opposing forces. Often pressure must be maintained before breakthrough comes in heavenly warfare (Matt. 11:12)
To change God’s mind. In case of an imminent judgement of God, if people humble themselves before God in fasting and repentance, God can change his mind and give up (relent) the Judgement against them as he did in Nineveh (see Jonah 3:5-9; Jeremiah 18:7-8).
To free the people from the bonds of wickedness (Isaiah 58:6). Many people are bound by drugs, cults and occults, fear, resentment, jealousy, and various kinds of uncleanness. A fast often softens the ground for deliverance. It is a secret for the deliverance ministry from the power of Satan (see the Disciple’s Fast Matt. 17:14-21 NKJV)
For revelation (Isaiah 58:10-11). Through fasting we can walk in revelation knowledge. For example, Daniel was given a view of the end times as he fasted with prayer for 21 days (Daniel 9:2-3; 21-22)
To buffet the Body (1 Corinthians 9:27; Jer. 5:7; Luke 21:34)
For health and healing and restoration (Isaiah 58:8; Nehemiah 1:11; 2:8). Upon hearing of the broken-down walls of Jerusalem and the conditions of the captive Jews, Nehemiah wept, mourned, and fasted. He asked for favor before the king and the needed materials for the rebuilding works; and the king gave him permission to return to Jerusalem and the materials.
To win great victories over our enemies and protection from evil (Isaiah 58:4-9). King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout Judah when he was greatly outnumbered in battle by the Moabites and Amorites (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). The people responded, humbled themselves, acknowledged their dependence upon God, asking for deliverance from their enemies (2 Chron. 20:27). (See also Jer. 29:13-14; Joel 2:12). Another example is the Ezra’s fast (Ezra 8:21-23; 31 NKJV); when we fast for solutions to problems, inviting God to overcome obstacles and furnish protection so that we can complete a task or a journey successfully.
To intervene for nations. The Esther’s fast involved abstaining from both food and water for three days in a desperate effort to stave off an enemy attack. Her husband had signed a decree to destroy all the Jews. She was seeking favor in the King’s sight to deliver the Jews (Esther 4:15-16). She was successful, the Jews were spared, their enemy Haman hanged, and Mordecai was promoted (see Esther 5 & 6; Isaiah 58:8).
To see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Cornelius fasted and prayed, and an angel appeared to him in vision and told him to send for Peter who came (Acts 10:30-33)
To be delivered from harm. Paul aboard a ship to Rome was caught in a storm. As a result of fasting and prayer all were saved, although the boat was lost (Acts27:33, 44 see also Isaiah 49:24-25)
To overcome distress. Examples: Hannah was greatly distressed due to her barrenness, so “she wept and did not eat” (1 Sam. 1:7 NKJV). King Ahab, when he failed to obtain Naboth’s vineyard, lay down on his bed, turned his face to the wall, and “would eat no food” (1 Kings 21:4 NKJV). David used fasting to express his grief at Abner’s death: “When all the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, ‘God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down’” (2 Sam. 3:35 NKJV).
*Conclusion.*
According to Jesus’ words to His disciples in Matthew 9:15, they would fast after he has left them. While he was with them, they did not need to go to great lengths to seek his presence. We are also included here; we are post ascension disciples.
So, we must fast with a focus on Jesus as the Bridegroom; and this will result in our maturity as well as entering intimacy with Him, assuming our identity in Him and become fully prepared for His return.
By Pst. Francis Kariuki
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