Isaiah 58:5-6(KJV)
Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Prayer and fasting are assets of inestimable value in fulfilling God’s agenda for our lives. It is a non-negotiable requirement, ordained by God, to experience specific benefits in our lives; even the children of the devil know the importance of fasting(Acts 23:12-16). They are critical for our spiritual growth and development and are essential for our empowerment. The core mission of fasting is the empowerment of the saints. It usually triggers supernatural breakthroughs, breaking impossible barriers and triumphing where others travail. Prayer and fasting empower us to the next level through diverse encounters and the outbreak of revelations through the Word of God. It brings us closer to God and increases our spiritual temperature if done in consecration and submission to His will. Prayer with fasting is the doorway to the world of the supernatural. Prayer and fasting are the principal tools for countering the onslaught of the gates of hell against us. In other words, to counter the aggression of the gates of hell against our lives, they are needed. Prayer and fasting also facilitate the outbreak of revelation. In other words, when we engage the mystery of prayer and fasting, God, by His power, reveals deep secrets concerning our lives, the lives of others to us, and our nations(Daniel 10:1-21).
We understand from the Scriptures that signs and wonders don’t just occur. Instead, they are provoked by engaging the mystery of prayer and fasting, among others, for speedy delivery. Throughout the Scriptures, it is clear that fasting and prayer are necessary to achieve some spiritual feats. For instance, when Jesus’ disciples asked Him why they could not cure the lunatic, He said: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting(Matthew 17:21). This means prayer and fasting is a vital tool in the hands of the believer for the delivery of signs and wonders. During prayer and fasting, diverse ailments and afflictions are healed. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” We encounter fresh oil when we fast and pray. Prayer and fasting empower the renewal of the oil so we can mount up with wings as eagles in our spiritual walk with God. Jehoshaphat declared a fast throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 20:3), and God gave him a miraculous victory. One of the ways to break forth in favor is through fasting and prayer. Queen Esther needed to approach King Ahasuerus on behalf of Mordecai and the Jewish people because of the death sentence placed on them by Haman’s conspiracy. In those days, going to see the king without an invitation was equal to death, except he stretched out his staff. But Queen Esther fasted and prayed for three days and obtained favor in the sight of the king(Esther 5:2).
Beloved, fasting, and prayer should not be a seasonal operation, but rather, they should be a way of life. Before embarking on any assignment, take your time to commit it to the Hands of God with fasting and prayers. Do not only fast because of a challenge; fast to maintain spiritual fire and intensity. A week or month should not pass without you embarking on this spiritual exercise because anyone who cannot fast does not last. The lack of fasting is a reason for the abortion of great destiny. There are things you can never access or achieve without fasting. So, make up your mind to develop a personal relationship with God by fasting, prayer, and the Word, and you will see great results. Today, increase your fasting to reach greater spiritual heights. Fight it brutally if you must make a lasting impact on earth. Curse every affliction or abnormality in your body as you pray and fast. This season, your prayer and fasting shall begin to succeed where others fail, conquer the obstacles others fear, and generally do the impossible in Jesus’ Name. Remember, the blessings ingrained in fasting and prayers are real.
O Lord, I receive the grace to pray and fast and cause every battle in my life and family to end by Your Power in Jesus’ Name.