Bible Reading: Amos 1-3; Revelation 5.
Memory Verse: “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29 (KJV)
Fasting is an intentional positioning of your heart for breakthrough and spiritual growth. Yesterday we looked at how fasting could be used to seek for help from God and a show of repentance. Beyond that it can be used for deepening your relationship with God.
If you fast and show love to others; then God said your light will break forth like the morning, your healing will spring forth speedily and the glory of God shall guard you. ( Isaiah 58:8 KJV). Furthermore, when you call on God, He will answer you and when you shall cry, He will be ready for you. Furthermore, the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your soul in drought, make fat your bones and you shall be like a watered garden and likable spring of water , whose waters fail not ( Isaiah 58:11 ).
However this will only happen if you are born again, engage in the fasting in accordance with the word of God. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” Isaiah 58:6-7 (KJV)
In addition to these spiritual blessings, there are physical benefits. These include weight loss, blood sugar control, and protection against medical conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
However, the most important reason for fasting is to get close to God by growing spiritually and this is a form of worship just like Daniel did in Daniel 9:3 (KJV), “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” The more you fast and fellowship with God in holiness, the closer you get to him. Then his words in Isaiah 65:24 (KJV), “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” will become a reality in your life. Also there are situations that do not answer to prayers alone but when you are used to regular fasting and fellowshipping with God, they bow to you when you call on God. That’s why Jesus said in Mark 9:29 (KJV), “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” When you are fasting, you need to create time for studying the word of God and praying to Him and also be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Prayer point: Lord, help me to fast often as a form of worship to you.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero