Fasting: Necessary?

From time to time Christians SHOULD fast. There is a spiritual need to fast. It is not a point of salvation, so don’t think that if you do not fast you go to hell. That’s not what I’m saying.  But there are certainly strongholds, barriers, demonic interventions, tribulations, boundaries in your life when fasting is absolutely the needed tool.  

(Matt 17:21 "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." ~Jesus). Jesus says that more is needed in particular situations than just prayer.  Of course, there are tools that we need in addition to prayer. Fasting, praising, working, etc.  but for some reason, we have been taught /conditioned to think that prayer is all that is needed. But, that is not what the Bible says. Nor is it what Jesus taught.

This is a very deep subject, and cannot possibly be covered with brevity. So, this post is only to get the cogs turning, the boulders sliding, the river flowing.... the questions coming. These questions are really inward. Of course, you may ask any question that you want of me, and I will do my best to answer. You can do it publicly, or a private message. But, most of the questions should be generated by God, in you and to you.

Some preachers/teachers of the Word will disagree with what I am about to say.  When I fast, I include Facebook, WordsWithFriends, etc. and anything else that I feel lead to forego. From my understanding, some preachers/teachers/denominations believe that food is the only thing to abstain from (I assume they also include consented marital relations). I’ve not had in-depth conversations with them, so I do not want to misrepresent their thoughts. (If you are one of them, let’s chat privately so I can gain understanding.) I have heard of people fasting from only chocolate, only Coke, only Coffee, only etc. etc. 

When we fast, we should certainly remove things that we know are occupying space in our timeline that belongs to God. The point of fasting is sacrificing and depending on God. Sacrificing the flesh from what it craves. Essentially when you crave something, you are admitting that you want it...badly. Simply put, when you fast from food (a traditional fast), you are severing the link between the body/flesh and dependency.  You are rerouting that dependency back to where it should be, on God. Throughout the fast, you should be constantly in prayer. You should not introduce influences from music, movies, friends, family, TV. You should not listen to particular types of music, nor watch particular types of movies, etc. You should do your best to have a holy environment. I do believe if you are earnestly fasting from coffee because you recognize that you depend on “that morning cup” more than God, then I believe God honors that intent. Does that mean you stay there? Fasting from coffee for 30 days. Of course not. We should always strive to do better.

We love you, and we are praying for you. 

SALT

~Dr. and Mrs. McGinty 

Sis Pinky’s Prayer:

Thank you for the opportunity to abstain from worldly pleasures and get more connected to you, Alpha and Omega of it all! Give us a desire to fast and the willpower to follow through once we’ve committed to it. We know that we are overcomers in you! 

In Jesus’s name,

Amen