As a member of the RCCG, Daddy GO (Pastor Enoch Adeboye, The General Overseer of RCCG) has mandated us to embark on a 100-day fasting and prayer exercise. I am excited about it because, I perceive that God will indeed do supernatural wonders in our lives this year. Therefore, I feel led by the Holy Spirit to write this article to encourage The Hope Church family and any other believer reading this about some of the benefits of fasting.
Quotes on fasting by Pastor Myles Munroe
- God gives you answer to questions quickly when you fast
- Fasting makes your brain sharp. It makes your memory so sharp, that you remember things you have forgotten
- I get more work done on a fast than I do all year because you have time to think for the first time without distraction. You get time to plan. God gets time to give you instructions to save you time
- Fasting is so awesome, when you read things, you retain them
- Fasting will clean out your life.
Fasting holds significant importance for believers, both as a spiritual discipline and as a means of growing closer to God. From a biblical perspective, fasting is a powerful way to demonstrate humility, seek God’s guidance, experience personal transformation, and align with God’s will. Here’s an exploration of the importance and benefits of fasting:
1. Draws Believers Closer to God
- Fasting is a practice that helps believers set aside earthly desires to focus on their relationship with God. In doing so, it cultivates intimacy with Him as they seek His presence more intentionally.
- Example: In the book of Joel, God calls His people to return to Him with all their heart, “with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning” (Joel 2:12). This act of returning with fasting expresses their desire to restore their relationship with God.
- Related Verse: James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Fasting enables believers to approach God with their whole heart, allowing for a deeper spiritual connection.
2. Demonstrates Humility and Dependence on God
- Fasting is an outward act of humility and dependence on God, expressing that our true sustenance comes from Him. It’s a way of acknowledging our spiritual need for God over our physical needs.
- Example: In Psalm 35:13, David humbled himself through fasting, saying, “I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.” This shows that fasting is a means of surrendering pride and acknowledging our need for God.
- Related Verse: 1 Peter 5:6 encourages believers to “humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God.” Through fasting, we lower ourselves before God, inviting His strength and provision into our lives.
3. Provides Spiritual Clarity and Guidance
- Fasting helps believers seek divine direction by quieting distractions and focusing on God’s voice. Many in the Bible fasted to receive God’s guidance before making significant decisions.
- Example: In Acts 13:2-3, the leaders of the early church fasted and prayed before the Holy Spirit directed them to set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary work. Their fasting helped them discern God’s will in choosing leaders.
- Related Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 advises believers to trust in the Lord rather than leaning on their own understanding. Fasting helps believers rely on God’s wisdom and gain clarity on His direction.
4. Brings Spiritual Breakthrough and Freedom
- Fasting can break strongholds, bringing deliverance from spiritual oppression or habitual sins. Through focused fasting, believers submit their struggles to God, allowing Him to bring victory.
- Example: In Mark 9:29, Jesus explained that certain forms of spiritual bondage could only be overcome “by prayer and fasting.” This implies that fasting, paired with prayer, is powerful against forces of darkness.
- Related Verse: Isaiah 58:6 emphasizes that God’s chosen fast is to “loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the straps of the yoke, and let the oppressed go free.” Fasting is effective for those seeking freedom and spiritual renewal.
5. Increases Faith and Spiritual Strength
- Fasting, combined with prayer, strengthens the believer’s faith and deepens their spiritual resilience. It helps them focus on spiritual realities and strengthens their reliance on God.
- Example: Jesus Himself fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-2). Through this time, He was spiritually prepared to resist Satan’s temptations, showing that fasting can fortify us spiritually.
- Related Verse: Matthew 17:20 highlights that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, yet fasting can further strengthen and purify that faith, enabling believers to face spiritual challenges with God’s strength.
6. Deepens Repentance and Confession
- Fasting is a powerful way to express repentance and remorse for sin, acknowledging our need for God’s mercy and forgiveness. It humbles the heart and brings believers to a posture of contrition.
- Example: In Jonah 3:5-10, the people of Nineveh fasted and turned from their wicked ways when confronted with God’s judgment. Their fasting showed their genuine repentance, and God spared the city from destruction.
- Related Verse: Joel 2:13 says, “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” Fasting can help soften hearts to acknowledge sin and accept God’s grace.
7. Promotes Self-Discipline and Control Over Fleshly Desires
- Fasting trains believers to deny themselves, gain mastery over their appetites, and exercise self-discipline, aligning the body and spirit under God’s control.
- Example: In 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul mentions disciplining his body, keeping it under control as he pursues Christ. Fasting teaches believers to say “no” to physical cravings, strengthening their spiritual resolve.
- Related Verse: Galatians 5:16 encourages believers to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Fasting empowers the believer’s spirit over fleshly desires.
8. Invites God’s Intervention in Times of Crisis
- Fasting and prayer are often responses to times of great need or crisis, as a way of imploring God’s mercy and intervention.
- Example: Queen Esther and the Jewish people fasted for three days before Esther approached the king to save her people (Esther 4:16). Through fasting, they sought God’s favor and intervention in a time of impending danger.
- Related Verse: Psalm 50:15 says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Fasting during crisis demonstrates dependence on God’s intervention and a readiness to give Him glory.
Summary Reflection for Believers
Fasting, when done with a sincere heart, allows believers to draw nearer to God, increases spiritual strength, and opens the way for divine guidance, breakthrough, and renewal. It isn’t just a ritual but a means of surrender, aligning ourselves with God’s purposes and inviting Him to work powerfully in our lives.
God bless you
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name
