22/01/2024
*Why Fast!*
*Rev. Daniel Gitahi, Donholm Cff*
Fasting is not a practice for some people in the Kingdom in God; it is for all.
Going by the characters of the Bible, there are situations that cannot be addressed when your stomach is full.
*Matt 17:21 says that such kinds do not go out but by prayer and fasting.*
Jesus was referring to a situation where the disciples could not cast out a demon. They were full and prayerless.
*Esther, Nehemiah, the people of Nineveh, Paul and many others* fasted to gain victory, to seek the will of God, to mourn and even to worship God.
*1. For God's Intervention*
_2 Sam 12:16_ "David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth."
There are so many situations where we need God's intervention. In his case, David sought God in fasting and prayer, for his son's life to be spared.
*2. For Repentance*
When seeking forgiveness, it is important to fast and pray.
_Joel 2:12_ says “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
It is in fasting and mourning that God is truly touched by the cry of his people.
In _1 Sam 7:6,_ the Israelites sought God in fasting and repentance.
They cried and confessed their sins. God gave them victory over the Philistines.
*3. For Directions*
In _Acts 14:23,_ Paul and Barnabas appointed church leaders and committed them to God through fasting. It is important to go before God for a certain period in prayers and fasting before making a major life decision.
*4. To Worship*
In _Luke 2,_ there is this lady Anna whose husband died a few years into their marriage.
As a widow, she dedicated her life to service and prayer. She fasted to worship God.
( *Luke 2:37)*
You can choose to go for a certain period without food, not to ask for anything, but to honour God.
*5. Strengthening Our prayers*
In Matt 17, the disciples could not cast out the same demon,