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Jentezen Franklin
WHAT is fasting? Since there are so many misconceptions about it, I first want to clarify what fasting — biblical fasting — is not. Fasting is not merely going without food for a period of time. That is dieting — maybe even starving — but fasting it is not.
Nor is fasting something done only by fanatics. I really want to drive that point home. Fasting is not to be done only by religious monks alone in a cave somewhere. The practice of fasting is not limited to ministers (of the gospel) or to special occasions.
Stated simply, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Fasting has always been a normal part of a relationship with God. As expressed by the impassioned plea of David in Psalm 42, fasting brings one into a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord.
When you eliminate food from your diet for a number of days, your spirit becomes uncluttered by things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God. As David stated, “Deep calls unto deep” (Psalm 42:7). David was fasting. His hunger and thirst for God were greater than his natural desire for food. As a result, he reached a place where he could cry out to God, even in the midst of his trial.
Once you’ve experienced even a glimpse of that kind of intimacy with our God — our Father, the holy Creator of the universe — and the countless rewards and blessings that follow, your whole perspective will change. You will soon realise that fasting is a secret source of power that is overlooked by many: “A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
During the years that Jesus walked this earth, He devoted time to teaching His disciples the principles of the kingdom of God, principles that conflict with those of this world. In the beatitudes, specifically in Matthew 6, Jesus provided the pattern by which each of us is to live as a child of God.
That pattern addressed three specific duties of a Christian: giving, praying and fasting. Jesus said, “When you give…” and “When you pray…” and “When you fast.” He made it clear that fasting, like giving and praying, was a normal part of Christian life. As much attention should be given to fasting as is given to giving and to praying.
Solomon, when writing the books of wisdom for Israel, made the point that a cord, or rope, braided with three strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Likewise, when giving or praying, and fasting are practiced together in the life of a believer, it creates a type of threefold cord that is not easily broken. In fact, Jesus took it even further by saying, “Nothing will be impossible” (Matthew 17:20).
Could we be missing our greatest breakthroughs because we fail to fast? Remember the thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold return Jesus spoke of (Mark 4:8, 20)? Look at it this way: when you pray, you can release that thirtyfold return, but when both prayer and giving are part of your life, I believe that releases the sixtyfold blessing. But when all three — giving, praying and fasting — are part of your life, that hundredfold return can be released.
If that’s the case, you have to wonder what blessings are not being released. What answers to prayer are not getting through? What bondages are not being broken when we fail to fast?
Perhaps you’re thinking, “I still don’t know how fasting can really be for me.” According to the words of Jesus, it is the duty of every disciple and every believer to fast. When addressing the Pharisees as to why His disciples did not fast, Jesus replied, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days” (Luke 5:34-35).
Then they will fast. Jesus didn’t expect His disciples to do something He hadn’t done as well. Jesus fasted, and according to the words of Peter, Jesus is our example in all things (1 Peter 2:21). “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)
There’s another vital point that I want you to see in Matthew 6: God delights in giving rewards. Not only that, but He says that when giving, praying and fasting are practiced in your life, He will “reward you openly.”
A good example of such open reward can be found in Daniel. While in Babylonian captivity, his fasting — even partial fasting of certain foods — brought about the open reward of God, who blessed Daniel with wisdom beyond that of anyone else in the empire.
Later, in chapter 10, Daniel was grieved and burdened with the revelation he had received from for Israel. He ate no choice breads or meats and drank no wine for three weeks.
Then he describes the angel that was sent to him – which had been delayed by the prince of Persia for twenty-one days – with the answers Daniel sought. His fast broke the power of the delayer and released the angels of God so that God’s purposes could be revealed and served.
Fasting brings you to a place of being able to clearly hear God’s will. Fasting also causes God to target your children. You would be amazed at the testimonies we have heard about fasting. It also brings health and healing to your body, as well as financial prosperity and the blessings of God.
Whether you desire to be closer to God or are in need of great breakthroughs in your life, remember that nothing shall be impossible to you. Fasting is truly a secret source of power.
SOURCE: From Jentezen Franklin’s best-selling book: “Fasting” — 1982, Charisma House.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A televangelist, Jentezen Franklin is also senior pastor of Free Chapel. He has written several books.
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