In Matthew 17:19-21 The disciples came to Jesus and asked why they couldn't help the boy, Jesus said IT WAS BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF, then He said if they had FAITH that NOTHING WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE...
Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Let me reason with you before I say this, Is Jesus the Son of God, The Christ, Is His Word TRUTH? Yes, Amen! Would He contadict Himself? Obviously not, So vs 21 is a contradiction of vs. 20. Jesus wouldn't say that with Faith nothing shall be impossible BUT you must Fast. This bothered me enough for me to search the truth. I read many books and listened to many teachings on fasting and only a few look at fasting thru the New Covenant eyes. I came to find out that Vs. 21 is not even in the original Greek Text. So Jesus never said to fast to move mountains, or to release the power of God.
Fasting is not a Work of Religion it is a mighty tool. We should not fast to GET GOD TO heal us or bless us. We must stand and be strong in the Grace of God, By fasting to get God to DO something is a fall from Grace and actually puts you under a curse (Galatians 1:8-9). The reason I write this is because you as a Christian should not get into a Works Religion by trying to earn your healing, or try to pay for God's blessings, by doing so we are saying that Jesus didn't pay the whole price for our Redemption. It bothers me to hear christians say that they are fasting for things that Jesus already paid the price to give them, They make it sound that its THEIR fasting that got the results and not Jesus or the Grace of God. All that we receive is by the Grace of God. Jesus didn't give us a second hand me down redemption.
- The Blood of Jesus paid the Total Price so you don't have to
- The Name of Jesus is the Power of Attorney that unlocks Heaven.
- We are the New Covenant Church
- Fasting and Prayers DO bring Rewards, and get us in a position to receive.
I believe in fasting for direction, Wisdom and Revelation, because as we put the voice of our flesh down and listen to our Born again Spirit. We are able to yeild to the Power of the Holy Spirit easily during and after a fast. Fasting is not a way we earn our Guidance from God but a way we stay in tuned to His Voice. How can you get a clear reception if there is staic? We must have our receivers ready for direction.
If we received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit than we already have Power from on High.
Here is a good list of Truths concerning Fasting
- Fasting is a way to humble yourself (Psalms 35:13)
- Fasting is more than skipping a meal (it is not dieting in Jesus' Name), it is putting God first and seeking and drawing near to Him in Faith (Daniel 9:3)
- Fasting does not move God, Faith pleases and moves God so we must fast with Faith (Hebrews 11:3)
- Fasting is a way we seek God (Ezra 8:21)
- Fasting will not change God's Word or Will
- Fasting puts your flesh down and allows your spirit man to dominate.
- Fasting is a form of consecration (Dan. 9:3)
- Fasting always should be done WITH PRAYER! Instead of eating you spend that time seeking God, praying, praying in the spirit, ministering to the Lord, reading the Word doing good and serving etc...
- While you fast and after a time of fasting you will be able to hear the voice of your spirit and the Holy Spirit's voice. (Acts )
- After a time of fasting and prayer and seeking God you will notice a greater anointing to minister, you will be "abled" by God.
- God rewards what you do in secret
- God rewards seekers (Heb.11:6)
- God rewards faith (Heb. 10:35)
Fasting and Prayer, seeking God with faith, humbling yourself, consecrating yourself brings the reward of:
- VICTORY (2 CHRON. 20:1-30, 18-19,21)
- DIRECTION (EZRA 8:21-23)
- THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD, THE HAND OF THE LORD, HAND OF GOD TO BE UPON YOU FOR GOOOD. (EZRA 8:21-23)
- FOR FAVOR, RELIEF AND DELIVERANCE AND OTHER THINGS FOUND IN ESTER 4:16
- INTERCESSION OF A NATION, TO BRING GOD'S MERCY ON A NATION. (CHANGING THE OUTCOME, REPENTANCE) JONAH 3:4-9
- Fasting AND PRAYER can be the "pipeline" to the anointing, it gets our receivers plugged in.
A proclaimed fast is announced and will put you in a position to hear from God. A personal fast is not announced.
Spiritual density is not being able to be sensitive to the spirit of God because of the clutter between you and Him..
general rules for fasting: (from Kenneth Copeland's book "Excellence in ministry)
- Decide the purpose of the fast before you begin.
- Proclaim the fast before the Lord
- Believe before the fast that you receive the reward promised by Jesus in Matthew 6:18 and Mark 11:24 and above scriptures
- Minister to the Lord while you are fasting through praying in the spirit, Thanksgiving, Praise and Worship. This will keep your spirit strong and active, built up (Col. 3:16 Eph. 3:16 Eph. 6:19 Acts 13:1-3 1 Corin. 14:2)
- Minister to others during and after the fast. Fasting is a preparation time for a greater ministry later on.
- Expect assistance from the angels (Matt. 4:11). To assist and to work for you.
Fasting helps us to receive from God but does not move God, Faith moves God.
- Fasting has many rewards, we need to have times of fasting and prayer in order to have a more powerful move of the Holy Ghost.
- Everything in Isaiah 58 is promised to use in Christ and our Redemption.
Fasting in the New Testament - rather the Church of the New Covenant was done not to get God to Heal them, for Jesus Paid the Price for their Healing. Fasting was done mainly to get in a position to Hear from God. In Acts 13 Saul received God's Call to be an Apostle. In Acts 14 the New Converts fasted in order to hear from God to make decisions. They did not Fast for Power or Breakthrough because they already had the Power and Faith was their Tool for Breakthrough.
Other recommended reading:
Kenneth E Hagin's book on fasting
Derek Prince's book on fasting
Kenneth Copeland's book "6 steps to Excellence in ministry"