Both the Old Testament and New Testament teach the VALUE OF FASTING, which is abstaining from food or drink in order to focus on prayer and seeking God’s will. FASTING IS MENTIONED OVER 70 TIMES throughout Scripture.
Through many examples of people in the Bible who fasted, we can know that GOD GRANTS SUPERNATURAL REVELATION AND WISDOM through this practice. Scripture tells us that FASTING WILL HELP US GROW A MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST and will OPEN OUR EYES to what He wants to teach us.
“Is not this THE KIND OF FASTING I HAVE CHOSEN: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food…to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—to clothe the naked… Then YOUR LIGHT will break forth like the dawn, and YOUR HEALING will quickly appear; then YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS will go before you, and the GLORY OF THE LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and THE LORD WILL ANSWER; you will cry for help, and HE WILL SAY: HERE AM I.” (Isaiah 58:6-9)
“…some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. THEY STONED PAUL AND DRAGGED HIM OUT OF TOWN…as the believers gathered around him, PAUL GOT UP and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, where they encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. WITH PRAYER AND FASTING, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” (Acts 14:19-23)
Jesus taught us this, “WHEN YOU FAST, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, 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 others 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 OPENLY.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
LET’S PRAY AND FAST AND SEE MIRACLES HAPPEN!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham