Fasting and Prayer

 

Written by Mel and Julie

Introduction: Basically, fasting is not a command, but a very strong suggestion when you need a breakthrough in your life and just to show love and reverence to Your God on a regular basis.

Mel's parents used to fast three days in a row every single month and they experienced real breakthroughs and miracles on a regular basis.  Paul & Marie were true warriors of their faith and they had a marriage that was rock solid. 

Do not announce you are fasting as this is between you and God.  The only person that needs to know is your spouse.  We would highly recommend fasting as a couple as this will strengthen your marriage.  You can ask friends and family for basic prayer with or without being specific on why you need prayer and not mentioning that you are fasting.

We all face situations in life that may seem hopeless or unavoidable and God may seem very far away.  But the truth is, that God is our ever present help in the times of trouble and He desires to intervene if we will just ask, as well as learn to trust him. God desires for us to have faith in him, as well as his ability to deliver his children out of the midst of the storm.  It is not always God’s desire to answer our prayers or even heal our bodies, but we need to learn to trust that he knows what is best for us.

 

We have been in many crises situations, including now, and the Lord has always made a way out or brought peace through the storm.  When we really need a breakthrough or guidance from the Lord, we go on a fast.  Fasting is a time honored Biblical principle that many holy men underwent to see the birth of ministries, as well as miracles. The Prophet Daniel fasted 21 days and the result was that God sent the Angel Gabriel to him to give him visions of the last days.  After Christ was baptized, he fasted forty days and was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness, after this, his ministry was birthed.  Fasting shows sincerity to God, it shows God that you are willing to give up something  you love, or need for him. Fasting is making a sacrifice for the Lord. It brings results and is never done in vain because it is also an act of faith.

Fasting is normally the act of giving up food for a period, while praying and seeking the Lord for a need.  However, many people cannot fast off food for medical reasons.  Yet, there are many ways a person can fast.  You may fast, by giving up an activity that you enjoy, such as a sport, television, or music.  The Lord will honor anything you give up for him. When fasting, wisdom should be used.  A person should never give up water while fasting because this can cause serious medical issues.  A person can only go four days without water, the result of dehydration may cause mental breakdowns, kidney failure, as well as death.  If a person goes more than a week without food, it may cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks, allergic reactions etc. in some people, others may be able to go much longer.  The more you give up for God, the more he will bless your fast.

Tips for fasting:  If you have decided to fast, no matter what the length, you already have a reason for this.  Do you need a breakthrough in your life, or do you desire to hear God’s Voice better?  First, pray about it several days before you decide to dive in.  If you get a real check in your spirit that seems as if this is a bad idea, then maybe you should postpone it.  It could be that your motives for fasting are not pure, or that you have an underline health issue that would make skipping food a bad idea.  Also, ask God for direction on how long you should fast and ask Him to use this time before, during, and after to really speak to your heart.

I am not going to say how often we fast or even mention the lengths of our fasting as this is between us and God, but I will say that neither of us has ever sought medical advice beforehand.  That is entirely up to you, as you know your health issues better than anyone does.  No matter the length, it is never a good idea to deprive your body of water.  Even if only a 24 hour fast, staying hydrated is essential.  Some people may say it is not a “true” fast if you include liquid, so I will leave that up to your conscience.  Please consider the fact that people have been known to have seizures and other serious medical issues when going without water for longer than a day or two.  If you choose to extend your fast beyond one day, we really recommend still ensuring you get protein.  “Slim Fast” shakes and “Carnation” breakfast drinks are a great way to get protein without eating.  Drinking good quality juices such as “V-8 Fusion” throughout the day is another way to ward off headaches, dizziness, and shakiness.  Avoid juices high in acid, such as tomato and orange juices, as this will aggravate your empty stomach.  Avoid sugary drinks as the last thing you need is a sugar crash.  Some people advise drinking broth, which we have not tried, but if you do, make sure it is low sodium.  Some also recommend avoiding caffeine, but we still have coffee once a day.

What to expect while fasting (if you are fasting longer than a day): the second day you will feel worse.  Your body is detoxing and you will most likely experience headaches, shakiness, fatigue, dizziness, and moodiness.  This is perfectly normal.  Again, we highly recommend staying hydrated and drinking protein shakes once or twice a day and juice in between.  Get as much sleep as your body needs.  It is not a good idea to do a longer fast if working, and it is not really a good idea to drive if going longer than a day.  If you feel super terrible, do not feel guilty if you need a few tablespoons of peanut butter or something else high in protein.  However, try to avoid all solid food if you can as this shows true dedication to the reason(s) behind your fast.  If you go into more than 2 days, you may feel better as your body begins to adjust and it is purging itself from sugar and sodium, but some people feel worse than day 2.  Follow the same tips as mentioned.  Pray to God to help you endure, but be cautious as well and seek medical attention if you cannot stand or experience other extreme conditions.  You very well may experience liquid diarrhea.  This is normal as your body is purging itself of toxins and this is another excellent reason to stay hydrated.    

Your emotions will not be on an even keel.  You are not only experiencing uncomfortable physical conditions as your body is deprived of food, but if your heart is truly open, God  will want to communicate with you.  Your emotions will go from high to low.  You will feel joy and peace, and maybe some humility and contrition, but also frustration and anger, especially if you feel like you are not getting the breakthrough you were expecting.  God understands, so just be honest with Him during your prayer time.

If your motives for fasting are pure, God will be pleased with you.  He may or may not choose to let you know in dreams and/or visions, but be open to His Holy Spirit before, during, and after you fast.  If you do not feel as if your prayers are answered, do not be discouraged, for God’s timing is usually not as our own.  There is nothing wrong with fasting for 1-3 days then taking a few hours or even days to eat, then returning to fasting again.  Fast as often as you feel God is calling you to do. 

Most people will tell you to go into a fast slowly, but we have always just gone “cold turkey” and started the fast.  However, it is a good idea to work up to an extended fast.  We will not discourage you from fasting longer than a day, but do not recommend it the first time.  Your body will be confused and you will feel sick, but doing 1 day the first time is pretty easy; beyond that may be too difficult and may be too discouraging if you have to break your fast early.  Therefore, work up to it, one day the first 1-2 times, then 2 days, then  when you really feel you can handle 2 days, then advance to 3.  We do not recommend going longer than three days as this often leads to medical issues, but as I just wrote, if you feel the need to go longer than 3 days, take a break in between to eat, then start again.

Conclusion: All in all, the advice here is to pray before, during, and after your fast.  Use this time to seek God and not just to sleep all day because you feel weak.  Spend extra time in worship and getting into God’s Word as well.  Be ready, willing, and able to hear what God may want to communicate to you during this time.  If you watch television, this may be an excellent time to turn off or seriously limit the TV as well as the Internet.  Do not use this as a time to feel sorry for yourself because your body feels uncomfortable, but each time you feel hungry or weak, meditate on God’s words.  Look up in advance scriptures on God’s strength and guidance.  Stay focused on why you are fasting and let that issue, as well as God, carry you through.  No matter what results you achieve, fasting is never a waste of time and God will be pleased with your decision. 

Scriptures on Fasting

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. - Matt 6:16-18

And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” ^- Matt 17:18-21

 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;  and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. - Luke 2:36-37

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. - Acts 13:2-3