“Provoking Christian Insights” series

Part 26

When you fast

Right after the Lord’s Prayer at the Sermon on the Mount Jesus gives instructions on fasting and He doesn’t ask if you will fast but gives comment on how to fast in a way that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. Over the past year our church has been fasting for revival. Last year we fasted for three days at the beginning of each month and four extra days to make a total of 40 for the year. This year we are fasting a day each week for a total of 40 weeks.

You may want to fast and not have a planned corporate church fast like we have for the year. You may choose to fast during Lent, or for a particular thing or event. You will want to decide how long the fast will be. Seek God to know when to start, when to stop, and what is to be the focus of your prayers during your fast.

Why fast?

We fast with prayer. We are praying for something to happen with a move of God. Our study of Scriptures reveals that certain prayers need fasting for reasons God only knows. When we pray and fast we can know that we are doing God’s will for our lives and we can pray believing that God will hear our prayer through His son Jesus and will answer our prayer.

I’ve prayed with healing ministries and know that these prayers are powerful.

“Ask and it will be given” (Luke 11:9-13). Seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you (Mark 11:24). For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Or, what man is there among you who if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for a fish will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to you children, how much more will your Father, who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:7-11).

The central theme of prayer and fasting is being all that God wants you to be. It indicates completeness, wholeness and maturity. Though we never fully attain this lofty goal in this life, through prayer and fasting, we are moved closer and to greater service for the Lord.

When you fast

Jesus’ Sermon on the mount: “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly (Matthew 6: 16 –18).

Some people feel that fasting will help them lose weight. That may not happen. Often I’ve fasted and the weight I lost I put right back on. I lose more weight walking our dogs. However, fasting does help cleanse the body in a number of ways. You may want to consult your doctor about your particular fast, especially if you suffer any health issues.

A one day at a time fast of all calories allowing water and drinks with no calories shouldn’t be much of a problem for anyone. But, if that is foreboding, try skipping a meal, then two, then three. Personal fasting is between you and God. Corporate fasting is when a group of people fast and pray such as a church or a small group.

Now a three - day fast takes some work. The first time I did it I was surprised at how well it went.  However, you have challenges like keeping the fast a secret when others ask you to go out to eat, or family members inquire why you are not eating.

Sue Peters of luvetastep.com wrote a letter to our church members quoting a book “Greater Health God’s Way” by Stormie Omartian that had some great tips for people who are fasting. She urged her readers to dig out the book and read the chapter. She also urged people who are fasting to read Isaiah 58 before their fast.

Isaiah 58:5; The New King James “The Open Bible” footnotes; “The fast and other spiritual disciplines are not ends to themselves, but are intended to result in greater godliness in all our relationships. If they do not have the result God has no interest in them.” Fasting can draw us closer to God.

Isaiah 57:17; “At the heart of idolatry is covetousness. A inordinate desire to posses and control is at the root of our refusal to submit ourselves to God in trust and obedience. Frequently, such self-centered desires are the cause of backsliding, as well (see Luke 8:13,14). A heart that is pure toward God cannot be indifferent toward other human beings.

Spending a little time with God in prayer will help you prepare mentally and spiritually for your fast.

Don’t have your own “Fat Tuesday” before your fast. By eating properly, especially incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables will help prevent “problems” during your fast.

Take it easy coming off your fast. I “pigged out” and felt worse after eating than I did at the end of the fast.

If you want to continue taking vitamins or aspirin during your fast, you might want to test them on the first day with a small glass of water. Other medications may have to be ground into a fine powder and taken in a glass of water with a little flavor added. Again, I am not a professional. You will want to consult a doctor or Omartians book for help.

Temptation

“When He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, afterward He was hungry. Now the tempter came to Him, he said. “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written. ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the Mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:2–4).

There will be no doubt temptation to break your fast. If the devil wasn’t afraid to tempt Jesus, he won’t be the least bit afraid to tempt you. Food will begin to look very good, especially smells of food cooking or visits to a restaurant or fast food place. After a while you will be able to overcome the desire to eat, even not be hungry. This is a good time to pray!

Fasting for healing

Jesus made it clear that prayer and fasting were needed for healing and driving out evil spirits. A pastor friend has learned that her father waited too long to go to the doctor and is suffering from a cancer that is in both the liver and the lungs. She said to me, “Would you pray for my father. The doctor doesn’t give him any hope, but I know that all things are possible with God. Do you think that God could heal my father?

I answered her that I had a personal experience with a friend of mine who had liver cancer and came to a healing service held by a Lutheran minister. The power of prayer was so strong in that service that the hair on my arm was like it was electrified. The results of those strong prayers were that the man seemed to be healed. His doctors could find no cancer in his body after that service. He was elated, but for him, he wasn’t saved. Three years later he got saved in a powerful worship service. Some time later the cancer returned and he eventually died. I believe that since the Bible says we are “appointed to die” that, like many of the people that Jesus healed, sooner or later death will come. In the case of this man he received three more years and the blessing of eternal life.

We held quarterly healing services believing that God would heal sick people, even non-believers. I’ve seen answered prayer and praise God for it.

Do not be afraid to fast and pray, especially for someone you know and love. I remember a mothers’ story of how her son got saved after a long life of rejecting God. When she died they found the floor worn bare beside her bed where she prayed for years and years for his salvation.

Fasting and prayer is worth all the effort that you put into it.

INSPIRATION: “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God (Luke 1:64).

Write: croneis@embarqmail.com