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Prayer 101 Have You Ever Thought About Fasting? Fasting has a good biblical pedigree, it was practiced by Jesus, John the Baptist, the apostles, the Old Testament saints and the New Testament church. It has also been regularly practiced wherever revival has come and many of the Christian greats such as John Wesley, Martin Luther, John Calvin John Knox, Finney and Moody practiced prayer and fasting to enhance ministry effectiveness. The merest suggestion of self-denial sends cold shivers down the spine of most modern Christians. We seem to find every excuse to dodge fasting . I might have the wrong motives.. My health isn't quite up to it.... Isn't it a bit fanatical. Unfortunately for us Jesus did say that we were to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Mark 8:34). The spirit of the world is firmly against self-denial and preaches ungodly and profligate indulgence. Perhaps this is why fasting is proving so powerful for church growth today - because it represents Christians making a serious break with the spirit of the world in order to consecrate themselves to God. The motive behind fasting is all important. Fasting in order to lose weight and look good is hardly a Christ-centered, cross-bearing act of self-denial. It may still be difficult and painful but it is essentially self-centered. Fast whenever you desperately want God to do something. Fast when you want power in the spiritual realm for Kingdom purposes here on earth.
Fasting is a potent spiritual weapon for the transformation of difficult
situations faced by Gods people. Esther declared a three day fast
(Esther 4:3) when her people were threatened with destruction from the
wicked Haman. Deliverance came from God, her people were rescued, Haman
hung and the Jews victorious. Jesus fasted to conquer Satan in the
wilderness. (Matthew 4:2) Saul and Barnabas were sent out on their first
missionary journey after a session where the leadership of the church in
Antioch were ministering to the Lord and fasting (Acts 13:3) David even
prayed for his enemies when they were ill - with sackcloth and fasting,
for their deliverance. (Psalm 35:13)
Start with one day fasts where you allow yourself fruit-juice. Skip
breakfast and lunch and after the sun sets eat well. After you have done
this a number of times gradually move to two and three day fasts. Most
spiritual problems can be resolved in two to three days and I have never
had to fast for longer. Wait on God He will indicate to your spirit how
long you need to fast for. It is generally wise not go on ten day or
longer fasts without a medical checkup from a sympathetic Christian GP.
You don't have to pray all day when you fast. Just carry on with your
daily work and use the normal meal and snack times for prayer. Jesus
tells us to anoint our heads with oil..in other words look happy and act
normal while you are fasting. Don't look like a bucket of gloom. Alert
those who need to know and those who prepare meals but otherwise keep
fasting private. This article may be freely reproduced for non-profit ministry purposes but may not be sold in any way. For permission to use articles in your ministry, e-mail the editor, John Edmiston at johned@aibi.ph. Source: http://www.globalchristians.org/starterkit/gospel1.htm. Used with permission from John Edmiston - www.globalchristians.org
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