Breakthrough |Freedom | Dominion.
Have you ever engaged in fasting and prayer with the hopes of divine intervention, only to find yourself unanswered by God? Have you ever considered the possibility that your fasting may have been carried out incorrectly?
What does scripture teach us about the practice of fasting? Is there a correct method to fasting that differs from an incorrect one?
What does the Bible say about fasting? Is there a right way to fast and a wrong way to fast?
Let’s look at what God says about fasting in Isaiah 58:3-12 KJV,
“Why have we fasted; they say; and You have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed? Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen, to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings”.
The inquiry arises as to why God expressed dissatisfaction with the fasting practices of the people during Isaiah’s time. The displeasure stemmed from the fact that, while observing their fasts, the individuals engaged in quarrels and conflicts amongst themselves.
It is imperative, during periods of fasting, to extend forgiveness to those against whom one may hold grudges. This is because fasting serves as a heartfelt connection with God, and harboring bitterness towards others is incompatible with this spiritual practice.
During periods of fasting, harboring grudges or unforgiveness in your heart against anyone grants the devil access to a space that should be reserved for God. Just as darkness and light cannot coexist, the devil cannot share a dwelling with God.
Therefore, it is imperative that you forgive anyone who has wronged you while you are fasting, be it family members, friends, co-workers, or acquaintances. By doing so, your fasting and prayers can reach the throne of God unhindered by interference from the realm of darkness.
During the period of their fasting, they disregard the plight of the impoverished, the disadvantaged, and the undernourished.
Have you engaged in fasting and encountered individuals in need, such as someone begging for money whilst displaying a sign, only to bypass them without offering assistance? Have you viewed televised advertisements showcasing impoverished children in dire need of sustenance and clean water, yet promptly changed the channel upon the appearance of a donation request phone number?
Consider the plight of the homeless individuals residing in your neighbourhood who have been less fortunate, grappling with various forms of addiction, reaching a state of destitution, and resorting to begging for alms.
According to the scriptures, the duty of individuals observing a fast is to support the less privileged and provide sustenance to those in need. This principle, as outlined in the Bible, is exemplified by the story of “Cornelius”, highlighting the importance of benevolence towards those enduring hardships.
God said this about Cornelius, “your prayer has been heard, and your alms (money giving to the poor) has been noticed by God” (Acts 10:31).
When you extend your hands to assist the impoverished through acts of giving or care, it is acknowledged by God. He retains this act in His memory and will provide rewards accordingly.
What outcomes transpire when God’s followers fast in accordance with His intentions?
God says in Isaiah 58:8, “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard”.
The light is Jesus Christ who is also called “the light of the world” (John 8:12). The light is also the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of you (1 Corinthians 3:16).
God conveys that there exist specific matters of the heart that hinder the radiance within you from shining, thus eclipsing the glory that envelops you. Consequently, forces of darkness are presently striving against your advancement and prosperity.
As a result, you are currently facing challenges in various facets of your life.
Even when you fasted, breakthrough seems so far away, perhaps you’ve heard or read the entire chapter of Isaiah 58, but God is saying to look at that chapter again carefully and see what you have missed. As the Holy Spirit reveals these revelations to your heart and you begin to apply them to your life, you will start to see greater results in your spiritual walk with the Lord.
God says in Isaiah 58:9, “Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say, Here I am, If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk”.
In other words, God is saying that while you are fasting, cease from blaming people for wrong doings (pointing of finger and malicious talk) even if they are at fault. Cease from fault finding in other people’s lives. Why? Because fasting is a moment of cleansing yourself from the filthiness that this world pours in the lives of believers every day.
Fasting is a moment when the believer who has been sanctified by the precious blood of Christ approaches a Holy God with their request in prayer. Therefore, there shouldn’t be strife, unforgiveness and animosity in their hearts towards anyone but rather, it is a moment to pray and intercede on behalf of all men (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
Remember what the Lord said in Matthew 5:44, “love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully hate you”.
God cannot override His own words (the Bible). Therefore, when we do the opposite of His Word, we will begin to encounter difficulties in many areas of our life regardless of whether we’ve fasted or not. Breaching the Word of God is an invitation for Satan and his demonic agents to enter a person’s life and cause havoc, confusion and losses.
The Bible says in Isaiah 58:11-12, “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings”.
In other words, God says that when you fast according to His Word, you will be fruitful in every area of your life. Generational curses in your family lineage will be broken.
When you pray for your family members, God said He will hear and answer you, your family members will be blessed because you sought the Lord and fasted the right way.
Prayer
Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you and teach you to fast the right way through His Word.
Declaration
I declare, that I have dominion over my flesh. It will not rule over me to dictate how I should live, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will rule over the appetite of my flesh.
Author: Andrew A.
