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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
A Season of Fasting
Because Jesus is not with us in the flesh, this is a season for fasting. In Matthew's gospel the question was
asked of Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them,
Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come,
when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast" (Matthew 9:14,15 — KJV). This is
the day, this is the time, now is the season for fasting. Jesus was crucified, buried and has risen, and is now
sitting at the right hand of God the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. He has left
with us His person, in Spirit, to comfort us and help us. Fasting brings us closer to God by helping us walk in
the Spirit and not in the flesh. When we fast, we become more conscious of the presence of His Spirit and
power in us. Until His eminent return this is the season of fasting.
What Is Fasting?
Freely Shared
From biblical examples we can determine that fasting is abstaining from solid foods for a period of time for
spiritual purposes. Fasting is not dieting. Although fasting is for spiritual purposes, we must prepare
physically and spiritually to fast. The very core of fasting and praying is repentance. Unconfessed sin will
hinder the blessing promised for fasting and praying. We must prepare ourselves to fast by repenting and
confessing our sins before God.
Without hesitation, I advise that if there are predispositions to medical problems or existing ones, fasting
should only be considered after consultation with a licensed physician. Since the basic tenet of fasting rests in
the denial of flesh to get closer to God for the glory of God, persons with medical restrictions can find other
methods of fasting rather than abstaining from nourishment. When flesh is denied, God is glorified. There are
many types of fasts and various methods of fasting. God is concerned about our motives for fasting rather
than our methods.
Summary
Fasting as it relates to praying, for the most part, is an undiscovered spiritual phenomenon that is a potential
blessing-bombshell ready to explode. God has promised that if we pray right and fast right, he will reward us.
A challenge and formula was suggested to give the reader an opportunity to stand on this promise. Praying
right and fasting does not involve seeking the approval of men for our religious acts, but rather, seeking only
to glorify God. Fasting allows us to get closer to God which in itself is a blessing. Praying and fasting are not
optional to the believer—it is a Christian duty to fast and pray. Because God is not with us in the flesh, this is
the season for fasting. Although God does not tell us when or how often we should fast, there are some good,
best, and most helpful times to fast. And when we fast, God sees our needs and our motives. We should be
careful how we perform religious acts because it is possible to do good things for the wrong reasons.
However, God has promised that when we fast and pray according to His Word, He will reward us. There are
many benefits to fasting coupled with praying, including the ultimate blessing of obedience, which is the key
to receiving all of the promised blessings of God.