The Necessity for Fasting and Increased, Focused Prayer
The New Testament has much to say about the necessity for Fasting can be used to accomplish a spiritual purpose. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to fast once each year. Lev. 16:29 says "This shall be permanent statue for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month (aprox Sept 26 according to our calendar), you shall humble your souls (CEV "go without eating")..." This fast took place on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur.) On this day, the high priest would conduct special sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. During the service, the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies-the only time of the year that he was allowed inside. God wanted His people to fast on this day to identify with the high priest who sacrificed a lamb for the forgiveness of their sins, and in order to remember the experience of their salvation.
I THE PURPOSE FOR FASTING & PRAYER BASED ON JESUS' TEACHING
A. For appreciation of God's grace, to gain His favor and reward of what is done in secret. As Christians we live under grace, so we are no longer required to fast. However, Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 6:16-18 that we are allowed to fast and encourages us: "Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, buy by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret WILL REWARD YOU!"
B. For connection with the bridegroom during the time He is away from Us and direction in His will. In Matthew 9:15 Jesus answers why (up to that time) His disciples did not regularly fast, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and THEN THEY WILL FAST." Just as Jesus predicted, we see the Early Church fasting for spiritual purposes such as in Acts 13:2-3 "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."
C. For increased faith & power for deliverance, casting out hard cases of disease and gaining the impossible. In Matt 17:19-20 Jesus answered why His disciples could not heal the epileptic boy. "Because of the littleness of your faith: for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard see, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and NOTHING will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting!"
II. THE POWER OF A DANIEL FAST & PRAYER BASED ON GOD'S WORD
A. The benefits of a Daniel Fast
See Dan. 1:8-16 "Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself."
1. First, you reevaluate your life in light of God's perspective.
2. Second, you gain power over the flesh to break bad habits, which will begin to restore you to better health.
3. Third, as you join your church to pray for a spiritual goal, the outward accountability you gain, helps strengthen your self-control.
4. Fourth, you begin the process of purifying your body from fats and perhaps other negative side effects that come from eating meat. You repent of sin and are drawn closer to God through the experience.
5. Fifth, a Daniel Fast leads to worshiping God. When you fast and pray, you honor the Lord with your body and soul.
B. The backbone of a Daniel Fast
1. A Daniel Fast is time vow, so you need to decide ahead of time how long you will fast and be firm to that commitment to the end.
2. A Daniel Fast is a discipline vow. You strengthen your character in every area of your life. When you take control of your body (your outer self) -- you begin to take control of your inner character. You discipline your body to glorify the Lord.
3. A Daniel Fast is a spiritual commitment. You pray while fasting for a spiritual goal. Remember, fasting will not accomplish much without serious, sacrificial prayer. As you discipline your body, you are "disciplining" your prayer life.
4. A Daniel Fast is a faith vow. In Mark 11:22-23 Jesus exhorted us, "Have faith in God...Whoever SAYS to this mountain (problem or goal)...and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he SAYS is going to happen, it will be granted him." So Daniel began his fast with a statement of faith to eat only vegetables and drink water, your fast is a verbal statement of what you want God to do!
5. A Daniel Fast is a healthy vow. You can't give up all food (an absolute fast), nor do you go on just a juice fast (a normal fast.) Instead, you omit certain foods (meats, party food, junk food, desserts) that you would typically eat for a specified period of time. It may also (or instead) involve omitting other fleshly practices so you can "feed" your inner person on prayer and God's Word. Jesus again describes this spiritual energy needed to remove spiritual barriers in Mark 9:29 with fasting! Note: Elmer Towns in The Daniel Fast says "If you're flippant with the Daniel Fast, you are likely to be flippant with your prayer dedication.
C. The basic Principles of a Daniel Fast.
The basic principles of discipleship were not just denial or self-discipline, but following Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "If any one desire to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." This involves turning to the Lord and putting Him first in your life, and then turning away from anything that keeps you from following Him!
1. Conviction (Three words in Luke 9:23 should influence your Daniel Fast)
a. The first word "deny" means that you should get rid of anything that hinder your relationship with Christ. You must get off of the throne of your heart, and Jesus must sit here and control what you eat and drink.
b. The second word "daily" means a 24-7 dedication to following Jesus. So your Daniel Fast requires a 21-day vow accompanied with continuous prayer.
c. The third word "follow" means that as Jesus fasted in preparation for His spiritual work, you follow Jesus' example with a Daniel Fast for your spiritual vow.
2. Commitment
When daily prayer is not enough, fasting takes prayer to a higher level. God knows your heart, buy when you demonstrate your sincerity with fasting, God listens attentively and responds.
3. Community / Unity
There is power in two or more people agreeing to pray and fast together. Jesus taught in Matt 18:19, "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven." So, there is power when you join together with your spouse, your church, or another believer to set a goal and make a vow to fast for that goal.
4. Continuation
Persistence is key. Once you begin fasting, don't quit. Continuing to fast demonstrates your faithfulness to God and your belief that He will do something mighty--in answer to your prayer.
III. THE ATTITUDES FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAST WITH PRAYER
A. Focus on God's ability. Get the Word into your Spirit and why you need to draw closer to Him to gain strength for breakthrough in your life and situation.
B. Focus on your need. You are going to do something that is not in your normal routine or inclination. You are choosing to not eat (or not participate in fleshly activities) for a purpose. Focus on what you want God to do for you. Write the need exactly; it will help you focus what you are doing in your mind and bring out your sincerity to follow through.
C. Focus on your action. You are going to bring the problem to the Lord God of the universe. Focus on your prayer relationship with God to solve the problem.
D. Gather the needed resources. Before you begin your fast, gather resources that will be needed during the fast. If you're fasting for a person, get a picture of that person to hold during prayer and to heighten your memory. If you're fasting over bills, spread them out before you as you pray over them. Get a Bible Reading Journal you want to use while fasting and Music CDs for 1-Hour segments.
E. Make a vow. Again, remember that fasting is a private vow that you make to God. Even if your joining with others in your church in doing the fast (or even joining just one other person, such as your spouse,) you must deal with the issue privately with God before you join with others. Just as a person never takes a journey without first planning the journey within, so you must prepare yourself inwardly for a fast before you can be successful outwardly.
F. Begin and end with a purpose. Some people find they have missed a meal and decide to call it a "fast." Just missing a meal because of circumstances in NOT a fast UNLESS you purposed before hand to pray and use the time of not eating for a spiritual purpose. God knows your heart. Also, don't enter into a fast with the idea of seeing how far you can go or how far you can hold out before you have to eat. Begin on a specific date, time and place with purpose and end at the assigned time...finishing strong! Then break your fast and eat in victory, with rejoicing.
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