Fasting is an essential tool to the Christian life. In the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus talks about the life of the disciple, he mentions three things he expects us to do, beginning with“when you…”, that is they are essential NOT optional. These three things are giving to the needy, prayer and fasting (Mt6:1-18).

“When you fast…..” (Mt 6:16)

So here’s some keys to fasting successfully:

1. Fasting should focus on intimacy with Jesus

Fasting is about growing intimacy first with the Lord (Mt9:14-15) and only secondarily to gain a breakthrough:

“Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it thatwe and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mournwhile he is with them? The time will come when thebridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.””

The disciples didn’t need to fast as Jesus was already with them. Only after his ascension, did they need to fast to seek Jesus more.

We can tend to be quite task focussed in prayer but God has spoken to me a lot about simply fasting to grow intimacy.

Though I have seen a lot of breakthroughs through fasting, God is so much more interested in our friendship and growing this and out of this we grow in faith and catch more of His heart which empowers us to do His work.

2. Avoid a works focus

So the thing to avoid is making it into something you do toachieve a goal and then it quickly (or slowly) become a works thing. When I started to fast I didn’t know what I was doing(and am still having to re-learn some things!), so it was much more works focussed. But God still so used it, because He knew I was learning and experimenting, and He wanted to encourage my small steps.

Now I’m older and wiser He won’t accept that anymore! Because we are to fast not to gain something but because we love growing closer to Him.

3. Fasting can lead to big breakthroughs

However, saying that fasting and praying combined is a greatway of seeing breakthroughs in any area of the Christian life, or seeing people converted or dealing with the oppression that people are in, that keeps them from the Lord.

Revivals have often been preceded by lots of prayer and fasting, as is in keeping with 2 Chron 7:14

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves  and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

as fasting is the key to humbling ourselves. There really is no other way. To see breakthrough in an unreached nation, fasting and prayer will be vital to this, but not the complete solution.

4. Can I fast anything?

Fasting food seems to be what is referred to in the Bible but ofcourse one can fast other things like internet, instagram, television etc in order to focus on the Lord.

5. Practically

If you’re still fairly new to fasting it’s best to continue small(one meal or two) etc and then build on this. The best experiences are generally longer fasts of three days or more as there is more time to build on the intimacy aspect. But at the end of the day it’s heart attitude that God blesses rather thanlength of fast (as Jesus pointed out about the Pharisees Mt6:16).

During the fast, don’t consume caffeine products and cutting down on these things before a fast helpful, as one gets a big headache!

Finish a fast really slowly, especially anything after 3 meals missed as the stomach starts to shrink and it can be damaging I’m told. So just juice and vegetables first of all. No dairy products or heavy stuff.

If you want to go on long fast, ask your doctor first if that’s ok. If you are pregnant or have diabetes you shouldn’t fast food but can fast TV etc.

Conclusion

Fasting is a powerful tool to grow intimacy with God and to see breakthroughs. It’s essential NOT optional.

But don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t at first seem to work or go well. God loves the little steps towards obeying His Word and cheers us on.

It’s worth it in the end.

Here’s a book that will help you on your fasting and praying journey:

GRACE OUTPOURINGS: 21 DAYS REVIVAL DEVOTIONAL which has lots of stories taken from recent visitations for a great devotional experience