Why Fast?

Fasting is fervantly praying while giving force to your pleading. James 5:16 says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

Biblical fasting is abstaining from food or drink for a period of time. When Daniel fasted in the Bible he, "...ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks." -Daniel 10:3

Fasting is seeking God's divine strength and guidance while sacrificing something. Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who seek Him".

Fasting can be time-sensitive temperance. Fear of God's judgement can posture you to pray now! In 2 Chronicles 20:3, "...Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah."

Fasting is interceeding in dyer circumstances while depending on God for the outcome. "Then Ezra rose from before the house of God and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib. Although he went there, he did not eat bread nor drink water, for he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles." -Ezra 10:6

Fasting never dissappoints when led by the Holy Spirit. Obedience produces blessing. Matthew 6:16-18 states, "So when you fast, wash your face and make yourself look nice. Then no one will know you are fasting, except your Father, who is with you even in private. He can see what is done in private, and He will reward you."

Fasting includes grieving sin (both your own and the sins of others). A good example of this was Ahab in the bible, God heard his cry and redirected his circumstances. “He tore his clothes…and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning. [God said], ‘Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days.’” -1 Kings 21:27-29

Have you considered adding fasting when praying for an unsaved loved one or a spouse?