Some things only come through fasting and praying. Jesus teaches this in the Book of Matthew. The disciples struggled with unbelief. Due to their unbelief, they lacked the power to do as Jesus did. Then later he explained to them that the faith of a mustard seed was mighty, but some things take more than faith. They take faith, prayer, and fasting (Matthew 17:20-21).
I have seen this in my own life many times. Faith was only one portion. Fasting is not as we see it today. Many people do a Daniel fast and if you look at the book of Daniel, he turned down his plate for a sacred reason. He was mourning (Daniel 10:1-3). In those times it was not a fad or because it was popular. They knew and understood the power of fasting. Many people fast out of a fad, and this takes away from what a fast means.
Jesus explained that no one should know that you are fasting because it is supposed to between you and God (Matthew 6:16). It is also a time to hear from God for whatever you need Him to do in your life. Sometimes people fast because they have endured a hard time, and they desire God’s peace and comfort.
During biblical times they turned down their plate completely. Often, they were not selective about eating this or that. They turned down their plate because they were entering into a deeper connection with God. They needed a breakthrough. Daniel was selective because during his time and the timing of the fast he was honoring or respecting the Passover. This took place the first month of the year. It was usually the middle of the month. They also had the Feast of the Unleavened Bread for eight days following the Passover (Daniel 10:4).
It is not a time to tell everyone you know I’m doing a Daniel fast with my church etc. We often do things because of what someone else tells us. Read the book of Daniel and see how he fasted instead of doing what your church has hyped up. Everything you do during the time of your fast should reverence and be respectful to God.
Some people do ridiculous things like fasting from soda, Facebook, sugar, etc. You are making a mockery of fasting which is a sacred practice to do between you and God. An example of fasting for a breakthrough would be trying to help your child or loved one overcome addiction. You turn your plate down until you see a change or get the breakthrough you need. It’s just you, God, and maybe the child or loved one who knows. Another example would be needing a closer connection with God to truly hear from Him and only Him.
A real breakthrough in your life is not taking time off Facebook. You know there is no victory in it when you get right back on Facebook with no change in your life. Fasting should bring change in areas of your life. It should help you know God in deeper ways than you did before you entered the time of fasting.
People of God we really have to know God and His word for ourselves. We cannot ride the coat tails of our pastors and other seasoned believers. We really have to spend time with God and know Him for ourselves. It is easy to be deceived by depending on someone else’s study and teaching instead of searching the scriptures out for your own understanding.
We have so many study aids available to us today. There really should be no excuse. Even if you are a young believer, you have more resources today than ever before. If you need a seasoned believer to bring clarity pray and ask God to help you get someone that matures you. When that person is made available to you be open to correction and understanding on a deeper level. Lean on them, but don’t depend on them. You still need to independently study.
Fasting is not a fad. It is a sacred time to pray, worship, and spend time with God.
Resilient Inspired Spiritual Excellence R.I.S.E. 