Fasting & Prayer:

Some Basics

By Ryan Shaw
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2007 Home

Have you ever seen firsthand the sheer might and strength of an army 100,000 soldiers strong as they show their muscle against an inferior group? There is a sense of awe that can be felt as authority is wielded. The firepower at their disposal has the ability to completely change the face of a village, city, or nation. The capability of the person who adds fasting & prayer to their spiritual arsenal is equally as full of firepower. This comparison truly is not an overstatement. There is tremendous, and for the most part thoroughly neglected, spiritual might and authority that is added to the life of the believer that pays the price in fasting and prayer. This spiritual power is within our reach if we will but choose to walk in it. Most of us, however, have not been taught much about fasting in our churches and fellowships. It is seen as something that only the most fanatical of Christians do. In reality, however, it is for the most common and lowly of us as followers of Jesus.

Take the technology age that we live in and the progress made through the use of the internet and digital technology in such a short amount of time. In about 20 years our society has progressed in ways we never could have dreamt of in the 1970’s. Is there a spiritual counterpart that accelerates spiritual progress just as quickly? As with many spiritual truths that are available for every believer to take hold of, this one is not blatant but can be acquired by those who diligently search the Word of God and seek His face for revelation and understanding. The Scriptures and history bear witness that fasting and prayer is such a counterpart. Franklin Hall says, “It is prayer that is paved under the influence of fasting. Our spiritual progress will be like supersonic speed.” Hall goes on to say, “A 21 or 40 day fast will most assuredly hasten the Christian to such a deep and wonderful experience with God that 21 or 40 days can equal 21 or 40 years in spiritual progress.” Fasting seems to restore and amplify the power of prayer.

Many believers today are not seeing their prayers answered. They are not seeing loved ones saved, their friends lives changed, or certain needs met and as a result end up living with a measure of unbelief and doubt regarding the power of prayer. We are sometimes given watered-down reasons for why prayer isn’t answered by those in spiritual authority. But could it be that a main reason behind this is due to a failure to follow Jesus’ complete formula. Fasting is mentioned one-third as much as prayer in the Bible, yet thought insignificant and unnecessary in relation to it by most today. There are a host of factors that possibly play a role in this and I am only suggesting fasting or lack thereof as one of them.

Have you ever considered the increase of influence and focus that Islam is having these days? Could any of it be connected with the reality of the spiritual power unleashed as a result of their commitment to the discipline of fasting during Ramadan and at other times? Spiritual power is spiritual power, whether it’s used for God or the enemy. Muslims have seemingly touched onto something huge that they are probably not even aware of. The enemy knows, more than most believers, the power wielded through fasting and prayer.

Generally when the Bible talks about fasting, it is referring to the abstaining from food, certain foods or meals, and even at times water (though this was only done rarely and for short periods of time). Fasting is one of the great foundation pillars of the Christian faith. It was a vital part of the practice of the early church and the great results that accompanied it were evidently seen and indisputable in those days.

The apostle Paul lived a fasted lifestyle, in fact 2 Corinthians 11:27, which is a verse in the midst of his litany of experiences for the gospel’s sake, reads, “…In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” It wasn’t enough for him to communicate that he merely fasted, but that he did so often.

Jesus fasted (Matthew 4:2). In fact His ministry did not commence until two occurrences took place. The first was His baptism by John and the Holy Spirit descending upon Him, and the second was His 40 days in the wilderness where He fasted and was tempted by the devil. No miracle or healing had taken place until after both of these events happened. The first revealed His divinity and chosen Sonship by the Father, and the second revealed how as a common human being spiritual power can be potentially unveiled.

In the Old Testament we see that Moses fasted (Exodus 34:28). It was when he went up on the mountain to receive the 10 Commandments that he “…was there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water…” The next verse describes his physical condition as he descends the mountain as having a face shining with the glory of God.

In Joel 2:15 we are given a challenge that was completely normal for the Israelite community to receive. “Blow the trumpet in Zion. Consecrate a fast. Call a sacred assembly.” The Lord was communicating a lot in the whole of chapter 2, but specifically was highlighting the place and priority of the discipline of fasting, specifically in the days nearing when the Lord returns.

To see our campuses impacted with a spirit of revival, to see our fellowships consumed with wholeheartedness toward Jesus, to see our churches living as if they really believed the Bible, to see people from every people group given the opportunity to respond to Jesus’ unconditional acceptance and love, we must embrace what these Biblical examples understood and lived by…the reality of God’s call to fasting and prayer.

When Jesus was questioned by the disciples of John about why His disciples didn’t fast, His response speaks directly to us, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15) For whatever reason the twelve disciples were not issued the call to fasting, but Jesus clearly hints that once He was crucified and resurrected, He expected His followers to fast.

When James in James 5:16-18 is seeking to use an example to embody the spiritual truth that the “…effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” he chose Elijah, a man intimately committed to the discipline of fasting. The list can go on and on of those who gave themselves to the fasted lifestyle. Anna the prophetess, King David, Daniel, and John the Baptist all fasted regularly and their lives and ministry demonstrated a spiritual authority that cannot be denied.

King David recognized the importance of offering to God that which cost him something. In 2 Samuel 24:18-25 we find the story of David being offered a free piece of land by a commoner in Israel to build an altar. David rejects the free gift saying that he will pay for it stating as a reason, “Nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” He had a right understanding concerning staying away from a spirituality that was easy and didn’t cost much. To him this was not worship at all. We can relate this to fasting. It is difficult, often painful, and yet if done with the right spirit, can revolutionize your spiritual life.

One primary misunderstanding regarding fasting surrounds Jesus’ own fast. Some might say that His 40 day fast was supernatural and that no human being can do such a thing. After His fast, the scripture says that “He hungered.” (Mathew 4:2) If it had been a supernaturally aided fast, why would He have hungered? As with Jesus’ entire life and ministry, He lived not from His divinity, but from His humanity. Had it been any different, His credibility to invite us to do seemingly impossible things would be shattered. Instead, He can call us with confidence declaring that He has led and shown the way through His own life lived in His complete humanity. Thus we can fast as He did. In fact, I have known literally countless people who have gone on 40 day fasts where they abstained entirely from food. They are regular people, like you and me.

Along this line, there is a misunderstanding that food is absolutely necessary or we die. This is true overall, but our bodies can go a lot longer without food than most of us think. The first necessity in life is air, not food. Food is not even the second most necessity, it is water. And guess what, food doesn’t even come in third place as a physical necessity, but sleep does. Food is the fourth most important physical necessity of life.

Fasting has actually been proven to be quite a healthy practice. Our bodies do not need, and are actually negatively over-stimulated, by the amount of food intake we have on average. When we deny ourselves a meal or a certain type of food (meats, for example), a full day’s worth of food, or many days of food, our bodies are cleansed and flushed of many of the unhealthy toxins we build up. This is a good thing for us.

It is true that you will feel much weaker as a result of a partial or full fast. The first few days are always the most trying. Initially it will require much effort and focus to continue the fast. Once you get through day 3 or 4, it begins to get easier. Your body begins to adjust and it requires less effort to fast. Praying and seeking the Lord during the first few days will prove a chore as well, but as you get to day 3 and 4 and beyond, as you settle down into devoted prayer, you will begin to sense a deeper communion and intimacy with Jesus and your prayers will take on a greater dimension of power.

The benefits of fasting are quite extensive and the Scripture points to numerous results of the person who fasts. Here are a few of them:

      Delighting ourselves in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)

      An increase of spiritual fervor and zeal

      Answered prayer – Ezra 8:23

      Increase of spiritual fruit

      Increase of faith and belief

      Increase of miracles in our midst

      A greater sensitivity to the things of God – Jeremiah 29:13,14

      A greater revelation of the scriptures – Daniel 9:2,3,21,22

      Aids us in overcoming temptations and trials

      Prepares us to meet and defeat the attacks of the enemy – Jeremiah 29:10-13

      It switches our basic disposition from a natural focus to an elevated spiritual focus

      Can increase our humility before God and others – Psalm 39:10

The kind of fast you choose should be based on the leading of the Holy Spirit and your particular circumstances. You are heavily encouraged to participate in what is commonly known as a “Daniel” or a partial fast. The focus here is not on a complete abstaining from all food, but on the restriction of one’s diet. Generally this highlights a fast from meat and seeks to focus instead on fruits and vegetables. Another form of the partial fast might include omitting a particular meal each day, thus limiting the quantity of food consumed.

The beginning of a fast is always the toughest. Our bodies are used to a certain amount of food intake and when we change that intake, it responds. The process of a fast can be broken into 4 stages.

Stage 1 is the starting portion of the fast and requires 100 % effort and will power to get started. You feel hungry often, your mouth might dry out, you have little energy, and you might get headaches. Your body is cleaning out the toxins in your system and these can be the results. Once you get beyond the third or fourth day, hunger actually will subside and eventually leave. The headaches will also cease. This is where the fast moves into Stage 2.

This stage is much easier to continue with as you actually gain a bit of strength after having lost much of it (don’t go and workout or anything, however). It takes about 30% effort and self-will to continue with the fast at this stage.

Stage 3 moves you into more strength as the weakness continues to leave your body even though you are not necessarily putting a lot or any food back in. The fast can actually become routine in this stage. Then Stage 4 highlights the breaking of the fast. This is an important part. Many people say it takes about as much effort (100%) to break it as it does to begin it.

Our appetites for food will need to be overcome and overruled during the fast. This is only done through self will and from the assistance of the Lord. Do not think that the Lord will simply take away a desire for food. He will give strength, but we must make an active choice to fast and to remain committed to the fast. If you fail early on, give yourself grace, commit yourself again and continue on with the fast. Often it takes 2 or 3 starts to keep on a fast. The key is getting through those first few days that prove extremely difficult and coming to the place where you’ve fasted long enough for hunger to start to leave. The body craves food at stated and regular times, but the mind also becomes on edge and reminds the body of the time for a meal. It’s both a physical and mental battle.

You will find that your mind constantly tries to think of food (imagine that). This can be overcome through distracting yourself and by entering into a spirit of prayer as often as possible. It is imperative that you drink lots of water and other liquids during the fast. Hydration is very important to maintaining health. Each time a regular meal time comes around deliberately drink a glass or two of water and distract yourself in some purposeful activity.

* Much of this writing has been adapted from Franklin Hall’s article “Atomic Power With God Through Prayer and Fasting”.

Books on Fasting: Further Resources to Prepare You For Your Fast

      The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting by Mahesh Chavda (Destiny Image Publishing)

      How To Fast Successfully By Derek Prince (Whitaker House)

       Prayer and Fasting By Kingsley Fletcher (Whitaker House)

       Celebration of Discipline By Richard Foster (Harper San Francisco)

      7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer By Bill Bright (New Life Publications)

      God’s Chosen Fast By Arthur Wallis (Christian Literature Crusade)

      A Hunger For God By John Piper (Crossway Books)

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2007 Home

Ryan Shaw

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