Commit to Memory: “All the People of Israel, the whole army, were back at Bethel, weeping, sitting there in the presence of God. That day they fasted until evening…” (Judges 20:26 MSG).

In today’s commit to memory storyline, after losing forty thousand men in battle in two days, the Israelites cried out to God for help. The Bible says all the people went up to Bethel and “sat weeping before the Lord.” They also “fasted that day until evening.” The next day the Lord gave them victory over the Benjamites. Halelluyah.

In the last three days we have been talking about why fasting is crucial to the present day believer. Today I like us to see the reasons why you and I need to fast. Firstly fasting prepares you for the future. Do you know if you make up your mind to fast ahead of that ministry the Lord has pictured in your mind, that life partner you have been praying about, that business you intend venturing to, if you can fast before the commencement of these dreams, visions and life’s aspirations I tell you; you would have cleared the ground for speed and a glorious exodus. This explains why Jesus would have to engage on a fast for forty days and forty nights before he began the work of redemption.

Also fasting births deliverance from addictions, strange powers and sicknesses. The disciples of Jesus couldn’t deliver a particular fellow who was possessed because the level of their fire and power was lower than that in the vessel they wanted to deliver. It was for this reason Jesus said there are certain kind of demons that cannot be silenced except by prayer and “fasting”.  

Friends, more than any other single Discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This is a wonderful benefit to the true believer who longs to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. We cover up what is inside us with food and other good things, but in fasting these things surface. If pride controls us, it will be revealed almost immediately. David said, “I humbled my soul with fasting” (Ps. 69:10). Anger, bitterness, jealousy, strife, fear- if they are within us, they will surface during fasting. At first we will rationalize that our anger is due to our hunger then we know that we are angry because the spirit of anger is within us. We can rejoice in this knowledge because we know that healing is available through the power of Christ. I pray the Lord will release the burden and grace to fast in perilous times like this in Jesus name.

Reflection: Gluttony is a thief of spiritual empowerment; don’t let it rob you of fasting...

Prayer Lines: Father, make me like Jesus in prayer and fastings.