Fasting and Prayer, January 9, 2022

By Rev. Michael Mwangi

Senior Pastor, Fedha Church KAG

What is fasting?

Fasting is essentially giving up food or reducing food for a period of time in order to focus your thoughts on God. While fasting, many people read the Bible, pray, or worship.

Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline through which the Holy Spirit can transform your life.

It weakens the flesh to strengthen the spiritual

Galatians 5:17

[17]For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Fasting is biblical

We see examples of biblical fasting in the lives of godly men like Moses, Jesus, and King David.

Fasting was an expected spiritual discipline and a common practice found throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Moses, fasted at least two recorded 40-days periods Deuteronomy 9:18-19 and Exodus 34:28

Jesus himself spent time in fasting and prayer during his life on earth.

Matthew 4:2

[2]After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

He expects us to fast.

Matthew 6:16

[16]“When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Planning your fast

Fasting requires grace and must be intentional since it is a spiritual tool. Don't do it as a duty or out of pride or proof of spirituality. It’s important you ensure you’re listening to both the Holy Spirit and your own body in the way you fast.

Generally, fasting is when you abstain from food or a certain type of food for a period of time. However, there are multiple ways to fast, all with the potential to help you grow spiritually.

Apart from abstaining from food completely, you may skip meals, substitute meals with drinks or fruits and vegetables. You might decide to fast until a certain time in the day(6 -6)or skip a certain meal.

There are many ways to ensure you’re getting the physical nourishment you need while still enjoying the spiritual nourishment fasting and prayer offer.

Why should you fast?

Dr Bill Bright, in his article, guide to fasting, has given us these powerful reasons why the practice of fasting can be spiritually beneficial. 

1. When we feel far from God, fasting can help us mourn our distance from God and draw closer once again.

Fasting and prayer can restore or strengthen your intimacy with God. Many longtime Christians find that fasting helps them rediscover their “first love” for God again.

2. Fasting is a way to humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, “I humbled my soul with fasting” (Psalm 69:10). You may find yourself relying on God more fully for strength when you fast.

3. Fasting and prayer can help us hear God more clearly. To listen to God as you fast, consider combining a time of fasting with a practice of listening prayer. Together, fasting and prayer can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience of God.

4. Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition. When you see your own brokenness more clearly, you’re able to move toward repentance. 

5. Fasting and prayer can also bring about more than just personal transformation. When God’s people practice biblical fasting and prayer, God hears from heaven and can heal our lives, our churches, our communities, our nations, and our world. Fasting and prayer can bring about revival—a change in direction.

When you experience revival in your own life through fasting, the grace and love of God can shine through you into the lives of others. 

6. Fasting helps you break barriers that you cannot ordinarily break with prayers alone

Mark 9:28-29

[28]After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

[29]He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer. ”

Types of fasting

Absolute fast: (Dry Fast)

This is when you abstain from food and drink of any kind. You should only do this for a short period of time it can take a toll on you.

Regular fast: A regular fast is when you abstain from all food and drink except for water (Matthew 4:2).

Partial fast: This is a type of fasting that involves abstaining from a particular type of food or removing certain types of food from your diet. Daniel’s diet, while he was in Babylon, is an example (Daniel 10:3).

Like No Ugali for Luyhas, fish, meat etc for a whole 21days. Another partial fast is a liquid fast, abstaining from solid foods. Take juices and drinks. Another form of partial fast is abstaining from particular meals each day. Also, you can substitute your meals with fruits and vegetables.

Supernatural fast: There have been instances when God enabled someone to fast in ways that they could not do on their own. Moses abstaining from food and water for 40 days Deuteronomy 9:9

Spiritual preparation for fasting and prayer

In preparation for this special time, examine your heart. Ask God to help you see your shortcomings and faults clearly so that you can confess your sins and repent. In Scripture, God frequently calls upon people to repent of their sins before listening to their prayers. 

Your motive in fasting should ultimately be to glorify God, not to have an emotional experience or attain personal happiness. God will honour your seeking spirit. As you spend time fasting and praying, God will shape your heart and draw you closer to Christ. 

When practised properly, fasting can be both a spiritual and physical blessing.

Safe fasting tips and guidelines:

Fasting until a specific time of day(6-6) or skipping a specific meal each day is safer and more sustainable than a complete fast if the fast will be longer than 3 days.

Avoid appetite building food like fat and proteins, milk soya etc.

If you are taking a meal don't overeat just take enough or you will struggle the following day.

Have limited intake be it fruits or juices or you will just keep your body appetites awake than strengthen your spirit.

The first few days can be a struggle but the body usually adjust shortly.

Plan your prayer times and devotions or you will end up fasting without praying. People with medical conditions like diabetes or ulcers and others should plan their fast in a way it doesn't affect them negatively.

Also pregnant and breastfeeding mothers need to remember their babies are properly nourished.

Over these 21 days, you can combine various types of fast as it suits you. In addition to food, consider fasting from TV, sex, hobbies or social media. Use that time to build up yourself in prayers and devotions.