The Prayer Fast the most Powerful Spiritual discipline in the life of the Believer
Please read my blog on a practical outline of how to effectively prepare yourself for your fast, discuss various Fast options that will best suit you.
Let me first talk to you about the Fast that does not please God. Look at God’s precaution;
Why have we fasted,’ they (the people) say, ‘and You have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?’ (Isaiah, 58:3).
Not everybody’s PrayerFast will warrant Heaven’s attention. The reason is simple: the PrayerFast that does not change us first is not an actual biblical fast.
Listen carefully to what God told His people, who fasted but still remain unchanged;
“What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarrelling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with Me. Is this the kind of Fast I have chosen…?” (Isaiah 58:5).
Notice the question,
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen…? God does not sound happy.
If we engage in this discipline of the Prayer fast with the serenity of heart, needless to say, we cannot remain at odds with each other; we cannot continue to stay in offence, un-forgiveness and hatred.
Now, listen very carefully to what kind of Fast God seeks;
“Is not this the kind of Fasting I have chosen: (what’s that?) 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 with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter– when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).
What is God asking from us? Personal transformation!
Transformation in our hearts first and transformation all around us. These requirements are immediately followed by four beautiful Promises; 1) Answered Prayers, 2) Healing, 3) Honor and 4) Protection; for fasting with sincere hearts.
Now listen to Jesus, as He precautions us further, concerning the hypocrisy that is so commonly associated with the Fasting.
Jesus sternly cautioned us not to fall into the snare of Pride and hypocrisy, when He said,
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces …” (Matthew 6:16).
Participating in the Prayer Fast can very easily allow you to think that, your Fasting entitles you to be; aggravated, frustrated and impatient.
The Biblical Fast’s entire purpose is to bloom in us the Character of Christ, with His Humility as the most pungent fragrance that infuses our lives.
The Biblical Fast’s entire purpose is to bloom in us the Character of Christ, with His Humility as the most pungent fragrance that infuses our lives.
When one pursues the Prayer Fast with the “Right Motive”; it produces in us – Christ-like Humility!
If God gives Grace to the Humble, the question is how do we become the embodiment of Christ’s Humility?
I believe the answer is found in the habitual discipline of the Prayer Fast.
Look at this one example from the life of Ezra;
…I gave orders for all of us to fast and (to) humble ourselves before our God (Ezra 8:21 NLT). True Fasting, destroys every modicum of Pride in us forever.
True Fasting, destroys every modicum of Pride in us forever.
Remember;
One-third of God’s angels, including satan, was evicted from God’s Presence because of Pride, but what was it that authorized the other two thirds to remain? Humility!
The most compelling definition of Humility is this;
“Humility is no denying the power you have but admitting that the power comes through you and not from you.”
-Fred Smith.
Yes, you have the power to choose to not inconvenience yourself by fasting or decide not to forgive your offender. However, Humility, on the other hand, enables you to relinquish your rights. It takes exceptional Humility to do this. To give up your right to be right, or even quick to admit when you are in the wrong.
This is how God uses our Humility to allow others to benefit through our endless sacrifices and inescapable pain.
Let’s considers this last example, from the LORD Himself.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2: 5-8).
If Jesus made Himself of any reputation, He would have been totally fruitless, regardless of the great Plan and Purpose upon His Life. Friend it is the same for you.
If by some means, the ultimate Sacrifice made it to the Cross with minute uncia of a “reputation”, God would not have accepted the Sacrifice. God cannot work with a proud heart. He gives Grace to the humble but He resists the proud.
Every request needs Humility of Spirit. Fast then, and you will receive from the Lord what you ask.
– Hermes “The Shepherd” AD 150
Prayer and fasting were a big part of Jesus’s life. Why should it be such a small part of yours? If Jesus needed to fast, how much more should you? -Jentezen Franklin
Fasting requires us to take up our Cross daily and put our flesh on the Cross, crucifying it daily, for the Will of Father to prevail in our lives.
The discipline of the Prayer fast is God’s gift to us to romanticize the Presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
