Galatians 5: 16-26 ; Daniel 9:2-3

‘Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

There are several spiritual exercises that benefit us as Christians. Examples are personal bible study, prayer, scripture confession and declaration, fasting and prayer, worship, etc. While most of these exercises are rewarding, none of them disciplines our physical body as much as fasting.

The Bible makes it clear that our spirit is at war with the flesh; but if we walk in the spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Consistent feeding of the body (i.e. food intake), without any break, weakens our spirit man. However, on the other hand, fasting strengthen our spirit and weakens the flesh.

If we much hear God clearly and frequently in this end time – both for directions in life, and furtherance of the Gospel, we must learn to fast regularly. The benefits of fasting cannot be over-emphasized. From the medical point of view, fasting gives the body the much needed break it needs to heal and mend.

From Biblical perspective, fasting produces the following benefits:

Passion: Isaiah 58: 8 says ‘our light shall break forth like the morning’ – fasting rekindles our spiritual flame! Having been born again, each of us carry a certain level of anointing for kingdom work. Fasting ignites the flame such that we begin to thirst more for the things of God.

Power: Fasting produces certain power that enables you to deal with specific issues or situations. It loosens you from bondage; and breaks the yoke of captivity over your life. More so, fasting gives you the capacity to deal with principalities and power as they arise (Matthew 17: 19-21).

Preservation: Fasting preserves our body; and gives it the necessary break to heal and recuperate. Isaiah 58: 8 says ‘Your healing shall spring forth speedily’.

Purity: Fasting helps us overcome sin and temptations; because it produces an appetite for righteousness. When we fast and are drawn closer to God, we lose taste for sin and things displeasing to God. ‘And your righteousness shall go before you (Isaiah 58: 8)’.

Provision: Fasting facilitates open heavens; it opens certain doors of God’s provisions, opportunities, and blessings. ‘Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am’ (Isaiah 58: 9) – God promises to reward us when we fast.

Presence of God: Fasting release the presence of God. It attracts the glory of God. Moses experienced the glory of God on the mountain, and the glory /presence of God enveloped him. Isaiah 58: 8 says ‘The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard’.

Promptings: Fasting makes our spirit sensitive to the voice of God. Most people believe they are not capable of hearing God; but the truth is that God is constantly speaking, but our spirit man is too weak to receive or hear Him. ‘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 (Acts 13: 2)’. Fasting puts us in a position to be sensitive to God’s whisper!

Fasting is a discipline that is worth cultivating. Make a decision to take your fasting life to a deeper level this year.