Fasting according to God’s word.

In Isaiah the 58th chapter the Lord rebukes His people because they were fasting with the wrong motives.

Isa 58:3 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?' "In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers.
Isa 58:4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.

They would fast thinking that just because they made themselves abstain from one of man’s most basis needs… food, God would “take note” feel sorry for them and answer their prayer. They actually believed that fasting in and of itself would cause God to hear them. That has never been and will never be the purpose of fasting.

Our heavenly Father has already given each of us everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). If you are born again (accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior (John 3:16)) then the Holy Spirit lives in you (1 Cor 3:18) and He teaches us (reveals to us) all things (John 14:26, 1st John 2:20, 27). Sometimes we struggle to hear what the Spirit is saying because of distractions and this is where fasting can be a great aide. When you fast it helps to remove hindrances caused by the flesh. It quiets the ‘voice’ of the flesh (those annoying thoughts, concerns & worries) that try and bombard our mind as we seek to hear and receive the wisdom of God concerning things we may be faced with. When you remove the craving of the flesh it automatically makes hearing from the Holy Spirit easier because you’ve quieted a major distraction.

Act 13:2-3 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

The men of God would fast and pray for clear direction and once they heard from the Spirit of God they would act upon it. Fasting also has benefits for the body naturally. When we stop eating for an extended amount of time it gives our bodies a chance to rest. Our bodies will even begin to consume dead cells that are in us which is a cleansing for our bodies. Think about it… you stop eating at night and as you sleep you ‘are in a sense’ fasting. Once you wake up in the morning you break your fast. We call it breakfast. As you look through the bible, Old or New Testament you will see different kinds of fast but the God-Kind of fast begins with the right motive.

Isa 58:6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
Isa 58:7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

As we seek God we can clearly hear His instructions for our life. Fasting helps the child of God to seek God with all his heart and as we seek the will of the Father He gives us insight and solutions for life. He shows us how to walk in His blessings and how to bless others and deliver them from captivity. He reveals to us the call He’s placed on our lives and we receive the direction we need for the victorious life He’s laid out for us (Eph 2:10). Look at the reward for the person who seeks God’s will.

Isa 58:8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Isa 58:9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
Isa 58:10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
Isa 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Isa 58:12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

This is the reward of those who seek God. We began to see more clearly what God has provided (as we meditate in His word and pray) as we seek His face. Fasting doesn’t make God do something for us but helps us to hear (discern) more clearly the things God has already ordained for us. It’s a good thing to be on the path that our heavenly Father has laid out for us before the foundation of the world.

How to Fast: (Remember, always consult your doctor if you have any medical conditions and get confirmation from your Pastor if it is for an extended number of days & you’ve never fasted before).
a. Make a commitment to fast and pray; declare it! Prepare spiritually, mentally and emotionally. This is seeking God.
b. Prepare physically; reduce the number of times you are eating leading up to the fast so that your body won’t go into shock. If you eat 3 meals a day, cut down to 2 and then 1. If you drink coffee, cut back so that you won’t get headaches.
c. During the first days of your fast, don’t ask God for anything. Pray for the heart of God and pray for others, unless the Lord gives you specific directions.
d. Get into the word! Don’t spend time with vain amusements. Don’t neglect the prayer aspect of fasting. Use this time to communicate with the Father and not wrestle with the enemy. Seek God! Praise Him! Worship Him! Don’t let the enemy dominate your prayer time. Get your mind and focus on God. If you are married, consider sleeping apart from your spouse while you are fasting (1st Cor 7:5)
e. Drink plenty of water even before you start. Your body needs an adequate supply of water and it helps to flush the toxins out of your body.
f. When your fast has ended, begin eating lightly. Don’t gorge.

EXAMPLES:
• Daniel 10:3 (3 weeks: Brought revelation through a vision & angelic presence.
• Luke 4:1-2 (Jesus 40 day fast in the wilderness.)
• Acts 10:30-31 (Prayer & Fasting brought salvation to Cornelius household.
• Acts 13:2 (by Prayer & Fasting instruction came for Paul & Barnabas concerning their call to the mission field.
• Luke 2:36-38 (Insight/Wisdom. Anna was sensitive to the “times & seasons”).
• Acts 14:23 ( Prayer & Fasting for appointing Elders in the church).
• Ester 4:16 (a 3 day fast for crisis. Haman wanting to kill the Jews)

May God richly bless you.