Why do we Fast & Pray?
To draw near to God
Joel 2:12-13 ~ “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
To discipline ourselves
1 Corinthians 10:31 ~ “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 ~ “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
To become spiritually strong + reap righteousness
Hosea 10:12 ~ “Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up the unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord until he comes to shower his righteousness on you”.
Galatians 6:8 ~ “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life”.
Biblical Instructions for Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Isaiah 58:6
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.”
Biblical Examples of Fasting
Paul & Barnabas fasted and prayed for God’s direction (Acts 14:23)
Hannah fasted when she prayed for a son (1 Samuel 1:7)
Jesus fasted for 40 days before starting his ministry (Matthew 4:2)
Practical Fasting Tips
Choose an anchor scripture
When you have the purpose of your fast, allow God to lead you to an anchor scripture. (ie fasting for consecration, pick consecration scripture). This will serve as a point of encouragement through your fast.
Plan!!!
I especially recommend this for long-term fasts. Plan the dates of your fast, what you're fasting from, and what you will read during your fast (Bible books, devotionals, etc). This structure allows you to stay focused on your fast and helps you to meet goals + checkpoints.
Be covered in prayer
For any fast, but especially heavy-duty ones that you know may come with difficult spiritual attacks, ask a close friend or part of your faith community to cover you in prayer. This helps you to be spiritually strengthened and covered from any attacks of the enemy.