Why Prayer WITH Fasting Part 1

Why Prayer WITH Fasting
A two- part short series: Part 1

Many Christians fast as a part of their prayer life but deep inside may ask “why do we actually have to ‘deprive’ our bodiesof food?” Jesus fasted 40 days before his ministry kicked off, why? Moses fasted 40 days and 40 nights as he received the10 Commandments from God, why? Do we still need to fast in this period of Grace? Jesus recommended that we do but he never taught on it as he did on prayer (Luke 11:1-4). We are going to use Biblical “circumstantial” evidence to understand why in this short series.

1. Fasting is a self humbling experience as we get to know God

Psalm 35:13

“I humbled myself with fasting”

There’s a spiritual humility that takes place when we fast. Humility that allows us to say to God’s Spirit, “you are enough and you are all I need. Speak and feed my spirit”. Jesus debunked the food theory when he told Satan than “Man shall not live by bread alone..” When we do this God’s Spirit strengthens, feeds and speaks to ours. We are then are able to overcome natural barriers and temptations as Jesus did. 

The Word of God becomes our food a true living powerful and sharp tool in our lives. Can you imagine Moses taking lunch breaks as God ministered to him? Jesus gave us the scriptural reference when he quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. In that little known scripture, God explained that He can sustain us in ways we do not know.  Fasting helps us to realize that God is able and he is enough!

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” 

Deuteronomy 8:3 NKJV

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

It’s the kind of humility that empowers us because it lets God’s will for us be clarified. Remember after Jesus fasted forty days, the Devil came to tempt him but failed. Also remember Satan tried to tempt Jesus by diabolically quoting scripture. Jesus countered back with quoting living scripture because he is The Living Word himself. When we fast we are empowered with the right words at the right time. Words of power and wisdom. We pray to God with the right words and requests as well and thus He always delivers. Below we see Ezra calling his community to humility through fasting.

Ezra 8:21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 

Fasting is powerful in situations when we need God to provide, protect and lift us up as we humble ourselves.

2. Fasting helps us overcome our natural limitations and invokes our supernatural position by emphasizing our rightful place in Christ 

Renouncing the natural simply means recognizing who you are in Christ, acting  and speaking accordingly. As a believer in Christ, you have authority to speak in His Name to affect change in situations and circumstances around you. If you are submitted to God and his Spirit, God will give you the word(s) of power to speak.

Luke 12:11-12 NLT

“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

The Bible says that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ who is seated on the right hand of the Father. Jesus also said that if we asked anything in his name the Father will do it. Be cautious though, this “anything” has to be in God’s will. Think of it, if you’re seated next to Jesus as the scripture says, would you ask anything that is outlandish. According to Romans 8, the Holy Spirit will help you with your request. 

John 16:23 NLT

“At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.”

As New Testament believers Jesus explains to us how and when to use his names as we petition God. In the verses of Ezra below we see how fasting helped them to walk in that authority before the benefit of Jesus’ Name. They “looked to God” which spiritually positioned them under his “Gracious hand”.

So when we fast, we activate Grace, the unmerited favor of God. Additionally using the Name of Jesus activates his hand of Providence. This is the power of prayer and fasting, Praying With Impact.

Ezra 8:22-23I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king,  “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. 

3. When you are overwhelmed individually or corporately, fast!

When you are confronted with a situation(s) and you feel powerless, exhausted and do not know what to do, fasting may be in order.  The natural circumstances around you may be so overwhelming and you feel cornered.  Adding fasting to your prayer can be a quick and powerful way to make spiritual declarations that cause real change. It could be for you as an individual, a family or body of Christ. We see how King Jehoshaphat recognized this and called for a community fast in order to overcome an invading army. 

2 Chronicles 20:2-3

Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 

Here God’s Spirit spoke to the community encouraging and giving them wisdom and direction. It was a very unconventional war method that God led them into. It required a lot of trust to believe that it will work. Placing a choir ahead of the fighters requires real faith and trust. This unusual advice caused confusion among the invaders and they started to fight among themselves. When we fast, God’s Spirit speaks to us in unusual ways that increase our trust and faith in him confusing satan and our detractors.

Impact Prayer

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power of your Spirit, teach us to pray and help understand why weened to fast. Strengthen us where we are weak in spirit and body. Increase our faith and trust in the wonderful Name of your Son Jesus Christ and instruct in your most holy doctrines. Amen.