Fasting Prayer has become a fashion statement amongst Christians these days. Every-where you hear, fasting prayers are being held. Some 7 days, 21 days and so on. Inviting visiting pastors, who prophecy what they call it "message of God". Do we really understand what is fasting all about? Let us go thru’ the following and see whether we know, what we think we know.
We call for fasting prayer when-ever we or our beloveds are in trouble, be it financial, health, family, kids related or anything to that matter. This practice is not in line with what scriptures teach us.
Friends, we need to understand what bible says about fasting. In most of the sermons during fasting prayers we quote, Mathew 17:21 but this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. Jesus said this in an entirely different context, which is with regard to a child possessed with demon. For driving out a demon/evil, we need power exceeding that of demon/evil. (Demon/evil also means our iniquities). Isaiah 59:2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden {His} face from you so that He does not hear.
One can cast out such demons only by fasting and prayers. That's what Jesus means. However, we declare fasting for everything that goes against our wish, no matter how materialistic it is, which we should not. We don't have to fast, for our daily needs. What God expect from us is that, you seek his Kingdom first. Obey him, and forget the rest. Luke 12:31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
We children of God, have right to ask our Father God whatever we want. Actually we should ask, because our Father God likes to hear such requests. Sometimes, he waits for us to make requests again and again. It is because HE loves us so much. HE loves to be with us and listen to our voice. Being parents we all know how our kids approach us when they want something. Occasionally, we tease them before we give them what they ask. Similarly our Father in Heaven knows our needs and he provides them from time to time and occasionally, after a brief gap (teasing us??).
Let us go deeper in to the subject:
- What is Fasting?
- Why one should fast?
- What we need to do before Fasting?
- How one should fast?
What is fasting?
Fasting is an essential part of Christian Life. It is to strengthen the intimate relationship between us and God. It is a way of humbling one-self before God. Dissociating one-self from rest of world, and getting closer to God. Fasting also means sharing God's love with those under-privileged, those who are suffering.
What is not fasting?
One should never fast for materialistic needs, viz. his own health, financial problems, family problems, for his kids schooling etc. If you do so, Bible says there is nothing as miserable than that. 1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Do not fast & pray for the sick. (This is applicable only to believers, not non-believers). Let us classify the sick in two groups. 1- General sickness 2- Victims of accidents.
Reason why one should not engage in fasting prayer for people who are sick, bed-ridden, accident victims:
1. General Sickness: Bible teaches us that, sickness is the fruit of our own sins. Unless the sick person repents for his sins and gets cleansed by the Blood of Christ, deliverance is a far cry. No matter how many days we fast, how many visiting pastors we invite. Depending on the intensity of the sin one commit, the seriousness of the sickness one gets into. A person praying for deliverance of another person's sickness, without knowing his spiritual condition, he is challenging the "Will of God". Our God is not a respecter of face. His judgments all are just, HE is a righteous God. You might have heard people saying, I prayed for xyz, he was healed but I have got the same sickness. This is the result of forcing God to heal somebody who did not repent. So friends, while praying for our friends who are sick, choose the words in such a way that won't be conflicting with God's Will at the same time, at the same time comforts our friend in suffering. For E.g. "Let they "Will" will be done in the life of our friend", or "If it is thy Will, please heal him" etc.
We all are born sinners, and thereby we are prone to one or the other type of sickness. Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me... Psalms 14:2-3 The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
Having said this, we know Jesus healed people who are blind from birth. John 9:2-3 and His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind. Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. For such deliverances, one doesn't have to declare fasting prayer.
In short, when we hear some-one is sick, we shouldn't just jump on our knees and start praying for his deliverance. Be patient; seek the guidance of Holy Spirit. Jesus said that I am going, but will send a guide for you who will take you thru’ all twists and turns in your life. John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
2. Accident Victims: Bible says in Psalm 91:12, they shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. This promise is available only to those who abide by Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Given this unchanging word of God, which is a promise to all those who dwell in the secret place of the most High, can one get in to an accident? If one gets into, isn't that clear indication that he was not dwelling in the secret place of the most High, at that point of time?
Our God is a God who is unchanging and so are HIS Words. It will not change according to the situation, or according to the financial status of the person, or according to a person's social stature. 1 Peter 1:25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER. And this is the word which was preached to you
Once again, unless the person, who swayed away from God, repents and gets back to God's protection, we as brothers/sister should avoid praying for the deliverance. Instead, we should pray to God to open his spiritual eyes, so that he can see where he faulted and rectify himself. We may pray to let Thy "Will" will be done in his life.
In both the cases, it may not be out of place to mention that, "Salvation is Personal or individual". In the day of final judgment, God rewards each one of us in accordance with our deeds.
Why one should fast:
One should fast, to strengthen the relationship between man and God. Fasting will help one grow spiritually, it is a time to cleanse one-self from all sins, to share the kindness and love Jesus bestowed up on us, with your neighbor and the deprived.
As the day of rapture is around the corner, we need more and more power and strength to push thru this wicked and sinful world. Fasting is the only tool available to mankind to secure that extra power and strength. By fasting, one is renewing his relationship with Father God and securing his seat in Heaven.
2 Chronicles 20:3 - Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
Esther 4:16 - Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.
What we need to do before Fasting?
Isaiah 58:6 - Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke?
Before one can even think of fasting, he should be clear in his mind about his objectives. They should be for his spiritual growth, for the unity of Church, for the country, for those who are under-privileged, those who are suffering in the hands of evils. "Bonds of wickedness" – back sliding, succumbing sinful habits, addicting one with unholy relationships. "Bands of Yoke" – getting entangled with materialistic deals, all types of sins, "go free" – away from, addiction to movies, TV serials, reading books of no spiritual benefit, attraction to glitters of the world and last but not the least unholy friendship.
One should submit himself before God, repent for the sins he committed, get cleansed with the Blood of Jesus. Forgive others who might have hurt you, wounded you and do not keep any inequities. Clear off your walk, your talk, what you see etc.
How one should fast:
Isaiah 58:14 - Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Judges 20:26 - Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
2 Samuel 1:12 - They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
Ezra 8:21 - Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.
Above versus clearly tells how one should fast. While at the feet of God, fasting, one should come clean before God, with broken heart. (no ego, no selfishness, remove "I", pure at heart, sincere in your thoughts). Remember, there is nothing hidden before our God. Where ever we hide, HE can see us and read our minds. So let us not play hide and seek with the Almighty, just submit before HIM. HE can forgive you of our sins. Only HE who can forgive, none other on the earth. Once our sins are cleansed, we will not only be reviving our spiritual body, but also our physical body. No sickness, no accidents, nor evil can touch you. Friends, this is not just saying, but un-changing promise of our Lord God. To such people God says:
Psalms 91:4-10 "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
- Amen
