Have you been a Christian for a very long time yet you don’t understand the reasons why you should fast? Have you always wondered why some Christians commit themselves so much to fasting and praying? Have you always asked what fasting really does yet you haven’t gotten a satisfactory response? We will be sharing with you, important reasons why you should fast.
First, let’s see what the scripture says about fasting and prayers:
1. Ezra 8:3 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and He listened to our entreaty
2. Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
3. Matthew 17:21 “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
4. Acts 13:2-3 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’
Let’s proceed to the reasons why you should fast
1. Fasting Helps You To Grow Spiritually:
As Jesus told His disciples in the bible, this kind goeth not except by prayer and fasting.
Fasting helps to ascend to a place of spiritual authority where you can command situations to align with the will of God. You can also exercise your power as given by God over several unpleasant life circumstances.
Of a truth as a believer Christ has given us authority to tread upon snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19).
What fasting does is to help you activate the power and authority given to you and as you grow in fasting so will you grow spiritually, such that from dealing with powers you will be able to deal with high level of wickedness and other satanic activities.
2. Fasting Helps You To Subdue The Flesh
As the scripture says this flesh is always in conflict with the spirit (Galatians 5:17-18) this is because the flesh mostly seeks after pleasure and the corruptible things of this World, but the spirit prioritizes the things that truly matter, that is things of the kingdom.
When you fast and pay your flesh will be subdued that is, it will be brought under the rule of your spirit, when you fast the voice of your spirit will be clearer and less clouded with noise.
As you shift your focus to the things of God during fasting and prayer your flesh will be subdued and if there’s any sin you have been struggling with, start fasting and prayer now as led by your spirit.
The more you fast, the less interested you will be in engaging in that sinful habit, it may seem like fasting is not working at first but as you keep on fasting regularly at least once or twice a week your flesh will be subdued,
If the Godly things that used to matter to you no longer matter I recommend that you fast at least once a week but pray everyday as a Bible says pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) this will help you overcome temptations.
3. Fasting Helps To Redirect Your Focus To God:
Are you in a bad spiritual state right now? Do you now struggle to pray or read your Bible? Are you often distracted from the service of God and the things that used to matter to you in the Kingdom? fasting and prayer is what you need.
Fasting not only helps you to go spiritually but it also helps you to be able to redirect your focus to God.
In life there are several reasons why a person can be distracted from the things that really matter.
Worries, anxiety, betrayers, poverty and many more reasons can render one weak and cause one to lose focus spiritually but when you fast and pray, you will faithfully begin to enjoy fellowship again.
Your heart will begin to long after God and His purpose for your life as the psalmist says as the deer pants for the waters so my soul longs after you (Psalm 42:1) (Psalm 69:9)
4. Fasting will help you receive from God:
Have you been trusting God for a particular thing for sometime? Have you had one single prayer point that seem not to be answered? Have you tried several ways to solve the problem yet it seems more difficult than you think? then try prayer and fasting.
When you back up your prayers with fasting it becomes a very powerful tool to move mountains and to change situations. The Bible assures that when you ask for something in faith and you persist in asking you will get exactly what you asked (Matthew 7:7) when you add fasting to your prayer, you will be empowered to solve the challenges
5: Fasting Detoxifies The Body:
It has been proven that when a person skips meals or fast periodically it helps the body to get rid of harmful substances thereby ensuring a good functionality of the body ( 1 Timothy 4:8).
So asides the spiritual benefits of fasting, it also helps the body perform better and guarantees longevity.
Importantly it is good for you to know that fasting requires the grace of God. Many struggle to fast because they believe they can do it by their strength.
The Bible says by strength shall no man prevail (1 Samuel 2:9) so as you have made up your mind to fast and pray, the very first thing to do is to ask God for grace to pull through so that you can finish well.
As you commit to fasting and prayer in this season, may the Lord answer all your prayers and grant your heart desires in Jesus name.
