Schedule Times of Fasting and Prayer
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. [Acts 13:2-3]
In a few days, I will be ending my 21-day fast. Fasting was never taught in any of the churches that I have attended. Last year I learned the power of fasting and it changed my life in so many ways that I was a bit mad that I didn’t understand the importance of fasting for all the years that I’ve been a believer.
ps. this in one of the 15 Changes to Make to Ensure 2024 is our Best Year!
Again, there are a lot of misconceptions and teachings on fasting that are not biblical or there is no teaching at all in the fluffy churches of today, like I have experienced. Putting the responsibility on myself also, I obviously wasn’t in the Word like I should have been, or I might have learned earlier.
But look at what it says in Acts 13:2-3 Barnabas and Saul were set apart for something specific for the Lord after they had fasted and prayed. There is power and significance in the habit and commitment of fasting and prayer.
Look there is no convenient time to pray or to fast, these are both biblical commitments that are part of every believer’s life. Just like being in the Word daily. Fasting needs to be scheduled and committed to😊. I don’t know about you I want to be like Barnabas and Saul and be prepared and ready to do the work of the Lord. Being in the Word, praying, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, being a living sacrifice, and fasting are ALL part of the disciplines of a TRUE believer.
I always like to look at Jesus and the examples that He set. Jesus was baptized in water, then baptized with the Holy Spirit, and then He fasted. One of the most impactful messages is knowing and understanding that Jesus’s ministry and all his signs, miracles, and healings that He did, did NOT occur until after being baptized with the Holy Spirit and a period of fasting.
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy. The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. [Mark 1:9-12]
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. [Matthew 4:1-2]
Think about this, if Jesus was sent by the Holy Spirit to fast, why would we think we don’t need to fast? (more on the podcast). I say this because I have had people criticize and question my motives for fasting. Well, I will tell you more about my motives and the reason I have chosen to do the 21-day fast through this message. But please don’t be like most “Christians” and think that fasting was only done in the Old Testament or it no longer applies to us. That is crazy thinking just like believing that tithing, the Holy Spirit power, and healing no longer exist or apply to us.
Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit but then He was FILLED with the power of the Holy Spirit and had guidance and direction after His 40 days of fasting. Jesus, God himself as a man could not perform miracles, signs, wonders, or healing until He was filled with the Holy Spirit power, and He received a Word from God during His time of fasting. Now that is amazing… think on that for a minute.
Here’s another story that made an impact on my revelation about fasting. (more about this on the podcast)
But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, Why could we not cast it out? So He said to them, This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting. [Mark 9:27-29]
Without fasting and prayer, we don’t have the power to do anything. I don’t know about you but I want everything that the Lord has promised us. I also want to do everything that the Lord has given us the authority and power to do. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that Jesus expects.
I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! [John 14:12-14]
Right before Jesus left this earth He left one message to the disciples. This also applies to us and is the great commission, this is our purpose, and God’s will for our lives.
And then he told them, Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.
- I want to have the ability to share God’s Word
- I want people to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ
- I want people to be baptized
- I want people to miraculous sings when I’m around
- I want to cast out demons and set people free
- I want to speak in tongues (my prayer language) and have the Holy Spirit speak directly to God on my behalf.
- I want to be protected from snakes and all evil and demonic forces
- I want to lay hands on the sick and they are healed.
Yes, I want all these things because God said it and I want to do the will of the Father. The only way that we can do this is through the Holy Spirit power. The only way that the Holy Spirit power becomes even more present in our lives is through fasting, prayer, and meditation on the Word of God. We need to EAT the Word of God.
But Jesus told him, No! The Scriptures say, people do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. [Matthew 4:4]
The only way that we can fully have the Holy Spirit embody us is to kill our flesh. Our carnal, worldly, earthly thoughts and actions must be put to death. Think about this, sin came into the world through food, that beautiful red apple. The only way that we can subdue or kill our flesh is through withholding food and making it behave.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. [Galatians 5:16-17]
Fasting is not a hunger strike; the purpose is to set aside a specific time to press into God more. We do this by not eating, intentionally praying for at least one hour a day, and feeding on the Word of God. Fasting is a spiritual discipline to subdue your flesh, to have less of you, and be filled with more of God. The goal is to not only subdue the flesh but keep it under control.
Sadly, many believers allow their flesh to run wild and out of control. This is dangerous because as Paul was telling the Corinthians this type of lifestyle leads to disqualification.
So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. [1 Corinthians 9:26-27]
So, let me briefly touch on all the other types of “fasting” that are out there. Fasting social media, phones, smoking, cutting out sugar, etc etc. All of these things are great to control and moderate in our lives. But the true biblical fast is not eating food. Because the intention and goal is to subdue our flesh – those other things are good for us but they DO NOT subdue our flesh nor are they combined with prayer and feeding on the Word and that is where the power of fasting comes in.
Jesus expects us to fast and pray. Fasting puts us in a position to hear and receive from God all that He wants to provide to us such as wisdom, knowledge, direction, and so much more. It also confounds the devil, because he CAN NOT withstand believers who fast and pray.
So last year I mentioned that I learned more about the true importance of fasting and I chose to participate in the 21 day fast. It was life changing because I got clear direction for that specific season, and had favor on that assignment. The Word really became very clear, and my discernment became even stronger. Therefore, by December 2023 I couldn’t wait for the fast to start because 2024 is going to be the best year ever. Starting out with a fasting and prayer season ensures that I will receive specific directions and wisdom to start out the new year.
I am also committed to fasting 3 days every month throughout 2024. This is where I’m going to encourage you to consider to start fasting, even if it’s for only one day. Here is a guide from Pastor Ted that I think will be very helpful for your fasting journey. Complete Guide To Biblical Fasting
When you go into fasting don’t do it without a plan. It won’t be effective for you if you don’t have a specific plan.
- KNOW WHY YOU ARE FASTING: is there a specific person you want to come to the Lord, you want to receive your prayer language, you want to stop something that has been hindering your walk with the lord. Whatever your reason is, KNOW why you are fasting. So, in January for the 21 day fast, we always have several things, but during the monthly fasts there may be only one or two things that we are pressing into God for.
- KNOW WHAT YOU WILL BE PRAYING ABOUT: because this is intentionally focused prayer time for a minimum of one hour, you need to know what you are praying about. If you don’t have a plan within the first 5 minutes you are going to be at a loss for words and give up praying and also give up fasting. KNOW what you are going to pray for.
- WRITE DOWN THE GOALS: these goals are based on what you want to pray about. I’m a big goal setter and one of the most important things you can do is WRITE down your goals. You won’t know if your prayers have been answered if you don’t know what you are asking for.
- CREATE PRAYER POINTS FROM THESE GOALS: this to me is one of the most powerful things I’ve done because it helps me get started with praying and then the Holy Spirit keeps leading me to the next thing to pray for, and then the next, and then the next. An example of a prayer point is after the next point.
- INCLUDE SCRIPTURES: all your prayers and requests need to be based on scriptures, this is also the most effective way to pray, is to pray what the Word says. This is a way to supercharge your prayers.
Here is an example of a prayer point. Make it your own and personalize it = then come up with your own or use the points from the book recommendation that I gave you.
PRAYER POINT: Pray that the Lord will guide you, keep you in perfect health, that you strength is restored and you will always have health and energy.
SCRIPTURE: The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. [Isaiah 58:11]
Once you have a plan then make a vow to God to keep the fast for as many days as you have chosen, consecrate yourself to Him, and dedicate yourself to prayer and study of the Word.
When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5]
Make sure you have the right motives. It’s not something flippant to do because it will make a great post on social media or make you look holy because you are fasting. Just as Jesus said about prayer (Matthew 6:5), hypocrites love to fast. Therefore, it is the motive of the heart, and not the action itself, that is important. The reward that hypocritical fasters have is the recognition they get from man, they don’t receive any reward from God.
And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. [Matthew 6:16-18]
Because of the time I am going to close this out for now. But I do want to share with you in another episode the spiritual supernatural benefits of fasting. There are many so want to take the time to outline them in detail.
In the meantime, make a plan to commit to a biblical fast and set it on your calendar. Then follow the other five steps for an effective fast. Please follow these guidelines otherwise you are going to starve and waste time and it will be a disappointment to you and the devil will convince you that you can’t fast or it’s not relevant for today.