FASTING AS PART OF OUR PRAYER LIVES.
By ANNE MANNING

WHAT IS FASTING?
Fasting IS the withholding of food and/or water from the body in order to benefit the "spirit". It is a physical symbol of a spiritual reality. It is spiritually valuable only when done deliberately, in order to seek God. Matt 9:14-17 - Jesus said that from the time He ascended until He returns in glory, we will be "expected" to fast when required. Jesus expects us to fast!! Fasting IS NOT something we do to manipulate GOD. It is not a spiritual tantrum. "God, You have to give me this or else I'll go on a hunger strike.

SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT
Fasting that pleases God - Isaiah 58
What Jesus said - Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33-39. (They WILL Fast). The Bridegroom has been taken away. The time to fast is NOW.
Matthew 6:16 - WHEN you fastnot IF

WHY SHOULD WE FAST?
Ezra 8:23 To be heard on high
Deuteronomy 9:9-14 To hear from God on behalf of the people.
Jonah 3:5,10 To change God's mind.
Isaiah 58:14 To increase intimacy with God, resulting in supernatural victory.
Daniel 10:1 To receive revelation from the heart of God
Joel 2:13- To help self-examination.
1 Cor 9:27- To buffet the body.
Matt 4:4 - To discover the real source of our life - the Spirit (Word, breath) of God; discovering our spirit and its role in our triune makeup
Matt 6:16-18 - Public answers to private prayer, and a testimony to the heathen.
Matt 17:21 - To increase our spiritual authority (casting out demons). Some types of deliverance need fasting with prayer.
Isa 58:6 To free the captives
Luke 4:14 - Moving in the power of the Spirit
Luke 5:38 - Renews our wineskins.

WHEN SHOULD WE FAST?
Matt 9:15 Now is the time, when the Bridegroom has been taken away.
Jer 36:6 Regularly, on a fast dayyou shall read the words of the Lord.
Joel 2:15 When God instructs us as leaders to 'call a fast'.

HOW SHOULD WE FAST?
Zech 7:5 When you fasteddid you fast unto Me? We should fast unto the Lord.
Acts 13:2 They ministered to the Lord and fasted.
Matt 6:1618 When you fastto your Father in secret...

Like any spiritual exercise, fasting is learned and developed by practice.
- Come to God with a willingness to learn and an eagerness to do.
- Begin a little at a time. Teach your body to submit to your spirit.
- Your body must learn to deviate from the "normal" routine of 3 meals a day.
- Once you prayerfully decide, don't give in to your bodily cravings. (1 Cor 9:27)
- Begin with a mourning diet like Daniel or a normal fast of one meal.
- Gradually increase the duration.
- Fasting is a good 'regular' spiritual exercise. If it becomes too ritualistic or religious,
Break the routine for some time and then restart.


TYPES OF FASTS
1. The absolute fast - Withdrawal of food and drink.
Deuteronomy 9:9, 18 - Moses - 40 days
Acts 9:8, 9 - Paul - 3 days
Esther 4:16 - Esther & the Jews - 3 days and 3 nights
2. The normal fast - Withdrawal of all food.
Luke 4:1, 2 - Jesus - 40 days
3. The partial fast (termed mourning) - Withdrawal of pleasant food and drink.
Daniel 10:2-3 - Daniel - 21days.

The above three types of fasting gives room for every believer to fast. Note that Daniel
had one of his most exciting encounters with the spiritual world while on his 21 days of mourning diet. It is not what you eat or drink while you fast, but what you set your heart
to do before your God (Daniel 10:12).

STEPS:
BEFORE
1. Set your specific objective. It is a spiritual exercise - to teach your body to submit to your spirit? Ask yourself - what is my specific goal? Is it for repentance, guidance, spiritual renewal, healing, or grace for a particular problem? A specific objective will help specific prayer, and will help you to spot a specific answer. 2. Decide or make a commitment.
- Duration of fast- One meal, one day or more.
- Type of fast - What kind of liquid and how much. Don't drown yourself in juices!
- If the fast is for more than 3 days, then you need to decide what type of physical or social activities you will need to restrict.
- How much time you will give to the Word and prayer.
- Decisions like these made before you begin, help you stick to your commitment
through the temptations and pressures of the fast.
3. Prepare yourself spiritually. Remember that fasting involves more than the abstinence from food. It helps us with our inner focus on God and the readjusting of our priorities. It includes ceasing from our own ways and serving others. To prepare your heart - Confess every known sin and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Our very foundation is repentance for our sins and forgiveness towards others. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers (Mark 11:25).
4. Prepare yourself physically. Do not rush into a fast (of more than 3 days). Eat raw fruit and vegetables for 2 days before starting a long fast.

DURING
1. Avoid any drugs. Withdraw medication only with your doctor's permission.
2. Exercise only moderately.
3. Rest as much as your schedule permits.
4.Be prepared for temporary mental discomforts like impatience and irritability. These are only signs of low sugar levels.
5.Be prepared for some physical discomforts, especially on the second and third day. These may include headaches, hunger pains, dizziness, weakness, tiredness or sleeplessness.
6.Drink as much water as possible, unless you have chosen an Esther fast.
7.Spend maximum time in prayer, so you can listen for the Lord's leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful will your fast be.
8. Stay with the schedule and commitments that you made before you began the fast.

AFTER
1. Break your fast gradually. Temptation to binge can be very strong. Keep regular meal
times and amounts. Matthew 4:2-9 (look at Jesus' fasting experience) -
V.2 - Jesus was tempted after He finished His fast. His temptation was 3 fold.
V.3 - Physical - Turn stones to bread.
V.6 - Soulish - 'If You are the Son' - egotistical.
V.9 - Spiritual - Worship me.
Watch out! Temptation is greatest when you complete your fast.

2.Expect results. If you have gone into a fast for a specific reason, you should come out with a specific answer. The answer may be immediate or later, but it should come. Luke 4:1-2 - Jesus went 'to be tempted'. He fasted 40 days. Verse 13 - He was tempted and overcame. Verse 14 - He returned in the power of the Spirit.

CAUTION!
Daniel 10:13 - Don't take it lightly. It causes warfare in the heavenlies!
Luke 18:12 - Don't boast about it.
Matthew 6:16 - Don't put on a fasting face!
Matthew 6:18 - Don't make it public.
Luke 10:20 - Don't make it your priority.

1. Jonah 3:5-8 FASTING MUST BE A RESPONSE TO GOD'S INITIATIVE.

2. Matt 6:17,18 FASTING MUST BE DONE ACCORDING TO GOD'S RULES.

3. Mark 2:18-20 FASTING MUST BE A PART OF A DISCIPLE'S WALK BECAUSE THE MASTER EXPECTS IT OF US.

4. Matt 9:15-17 FASTING IS THE RENEWING OF OUR WINESKINS READYING THEM FOR NEW WINE. FASTING KEEPS US PLIABLE, RENEWED AND FRESH FOR THE MASTER'S USE.

IT IS TOUGH, BUT WELL WORTH IT!

My writing is inspirational and Bible Study based. God the Creator has gifted me with the ability to write creatively. I want to use this for His Glory. My writing may be freely used to help and bless people through their journey of life. More on my website http://www.annemartinmanning.blogspot.com

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