Every single thing we do is for a reason. We always encounter challenges from two different realms. We desperately need God to liberate us from all our problems. Prayers alone may not finish it— unless we dive deep into the Spirit.
Do you understand and agrees to the reasons why Christians fast?. Here is a crucial aspect of every professed Christian’s life. To make yourself highly spirited and strong enough to conquer every single attempt of the Devil’s devices— fast. Don’t just pray.
The battle never ends. What battle is that ?. I am talking about Spiritual warfare that affects us. It is time to encourage ourselves to make fasting and prayers our greatest weapon whiles we stand at the battlefield. It is time Christians embrace the necessity of Spiritual awareness. Don’t be ignorant about the Devil’s crafty devices.
Before you finish reading this post, you will unearth some of the crucial reasons why Christians fast, how to make it effective, and its relevance.
By the way let me take a break and ask you: “When was the last time you fasted as a Christian?.” To be honest most Christians barely fast to uplift their spiritual lives.
Fasting— A Matter Of Concern
Is it compulsory for Christians to fast?. So far as being a Christian believer is optional— then praying to God and fasting is also a matter of choice.
However, it would leave a big dent in your life if you are a Christian who lives a prayerless life. Fasting helps to fire up our prayers to God and fortifies our inner spirit.
Fasting has been an important part of worship and prayers— even in the ancient days of the Prophets and Patriarchs.
“Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth on them. The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. They stood up in their place, and read in the scroll of the law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day, and a fourth part they confessed, and worshiped the LORD their God.” ( Nehemiah 9:1-3)
Fasting is not a new thing for our generation as well. Fasting fastens our prayer requests and makes us supercharged for healings, miracles, strength, success, and happiness.
“In the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood from the books the number of the years about which the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the completion of the desolation of Jerusalem, seventy years. And I turned to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God, and made this confession, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments.” ( Daniel 9:2-4)
Reminder For Christians
Whether you call yourself a Christian warrior or not— you may wonder why your prayers go unanswered. There are many possible reasons why God has not answered your prayers. If you haven’t employed fasting as part of your Spiritual weapon you may not see the miracle you have been waiting for years, you may even give up for being a Christian.
A challenging situation like this will possibly cause you to question the existence of God. The battle is real. There are heavenly forces that can block your prayers, blessings, healing, and anything worthy of you.
Before I even share with you why Christians fast— let me chip in this:
Prayers alone may not produce the result you need. Yes!. The sad truth is— you can pray for years without seeing the slightest progress in your painful situation. But when you backfire your prayers with fasting— things will change for the best. This brings us to the question — why Christians fast ?.
Maybe what I’m saying doesn’t augur well for you. In such a case I would like us to read a perfect example from the Bible.
“When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling to him, and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.” Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.” Jesus rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured of that hour.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you./But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:14-21)
There are uncountable evil forces surrounding us. Some of them are very stubborn. They need a bigger slap before they move away.
Let me tell you this— Ephesians 6:12 has made it clear that we are fighting against principalities, against powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and the spiritual forces of wickedness.
It undoubtedly teaches us that there is some kind of hierarchy in the Spiritual realm. I would prefer to equate them to metals. Each of them has their melting points. The fire and the energy level used to melt alloy would have to be increased when dealing with iron.
I hope you get the scenario now. Prayers + fasting can melt down the darkest power destroying your beautiful life, job, marriage, education, goals, etc.
Understanding Why Christians Fast
In the first place, God expects every Christian to make fasting an integral part of his/her life. It is not about prayer alone.
“Yet even now,” says the LORD, “turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” ( Joel 2:12)
The human component is not only flesh but with a Spirit residing inside the body. What do you think if you always feed your body and starving your Spirit?. That spirit will become malnourished, weak, and vulnerable to enslavement from dark forces.
Take note of this:
1. Food nourishes the body
2. The word of God, fasting, and prayers nourishes the spirit within you.
Jesus Christ lived an exemplary life by doing dry fasting for forty days, forty nights. He supercharged himself to start and accomplish his ministry. (Luke 4:1-2)
We can’t fast for those long days but a few days or a reasonably hour. You may have to learn how to do proper fasting and prayers to break down any barrier preventing you from being successful in life.
Don’t be hypocritical in your fasting like the Pharisees. God is ever ready to strengthen you spiritually to overcome the schemes of the Devil and his angels. These and many other facts are the reasons why Christians fast occasionally.
Finally, you can invoke the Spirit of God to punish your enemies. God is the righteous judge who avenges for his children.
In times of trouble Mordecai, Esther, and the Jews prayed and fasted for redemption from their enemy — Haman. God listened to their prayers and Haman was caught in his death trap.
If you need God’s intervention; then say these prayers against your enemies. And see the mighty hands of God delivering Justice on your behalf.
Stay blessed and don’t forget to share if you find this article helpful.
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