What Should I Do While I Am Fasting?
Do: Spend time in Praise and Worship “I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:6). Read the Bible (on your knees). Confess God’s Word. Meditate on God’s Word. Memorize scripture (Try to memorize a chapter, a whole book, or thirty scriptures on a specific subject). “Do not let this Book of the […]
Before You Begin Fasting, Read These Tips
What Should I Expect Before My Fast? Before you begin a fast: Ask your doctor for advice before going on an extended fast. This advice is particularly important for those who fight diseases like diabetes or who take prescription medicine. Women who are pregnant or nursing should consult their physician. Some should not fast without […]
How Long Should I Fast?
You should fast as long as God tells you to fast but use wisdom to not fast beyond your strength. Here are some options for different lengths of fasting. One Meal Fast Fasting for one meal is easy. Instead of eating at a regularly scheduled mealtime, use the time to pray and read your Bible. […]
6 Different Types of Fasting You Should Try
There are no specific rules about fasting. There are as many different ways of fasting as there are people. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you decide what type of fast to embark on. Here are some different types of fasts: The Complete Fast In a complete fast, you do not eat any […]
Why Fast? Reason #10: To Petition for Help
Are you facing a crisis in your life? Is there a problem in your family? In your country? Is there a crisis in your financial situation or in your physical body? Do you desperately need wisdom? Years ago, my father faced a physical crisis. His body began to show symptoms of diabetes, which is a […]
Why Fast? Reason #9: To Humble Ourselves
D.L. Moody said, “Be humble or you’ll stumble.” One of the greatest dangers for believers is spiritual pride. I have to continually check my motives, my thoughts, and my attitudes in order to beat down the ugly head of the dragon called ego. Pride slinks in subtly. Before you know it you become proud of […]
Why Fast? Reason #8: To Overcome Temptation
When Jesus fasted, Satan came to him and said, “Turn those stones into bread.” The devil was a little less confident in my level of faith, he figured I would have laughed at him if he had suggested that I eat rocks. So, he tried a different approach. As I was driving down the road, […]
Why Fast? Reason #7: To Defeat the Devil
In India, during the best part of my sermon, a woman started manifesting a demon. Her tongue flicked in and out her mouth, she hissed, and started to sway like a cobra. The whole audience became distracted by the disturbance. I continued to preach and as the translator was repeating my words, I began to […]
Why Fast? Reason #6: To Obey Jesus
In the middle of the famous Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches about three foundational truths for the believer; giving, praying, and fasting. Many churches preach about the first two, but neglect the third truth. Twice in the sermon, Jesus told the disciples, “When you fast…” (Matthew 6:16; 17). Jesus assumed all his disciples should fast. Jesus […]
Why Fast? Reason #5: To Repent
At times, it may feel like your prayers are bouncing off the gates of heaven. No matter how much you pray, it seems God is not listening. One possible reason for this situation is hidden sin in your life. Sin is rooted in the desire to please oneself rather then to please heaven. God’s first […]
Why Fast? Reason #4: To Increase Spiritual Strength
During a crusade in Africa, I was approached by the chairman of the Prayer and Fasting Committee. He told me, “The Fasting Committee refuses to pray for your crusade unless you pay us one dollar every day.” In that country, a dollar is a large sum of money. I was taken aback by the question […]
Why Fast? Reason #3: To Appeal for Protection
The world is not a safe place. On the news every night, we see stories of kidnaping, murder, theft, and rape. In modern times, we need God’s protection like never before. Fasting is one way to ask God for protection. After Ezra rebuilt the temple when the seventy year captivity of the Jews ended, Artaxerxes, […]
Why Fast? Reason #2: To Seek Direction
Have you ever wondered what God’s will is for your life? Every day we ask ourselves questions like: Who should I marry? What school should I go to? Should I become a missionary or get a secular job? Where should I live? What is the next step for my life? A fast can help bring […]
Why Fast? Reason #1: To Meet With God
The first purpose for fasting is to spend time with God. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is often difficult to set aside quality time with our Creator. During the daily grind there are people to see, places to go, and things to do. An amazing amount of time is spent doing […]
13 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
The best passage in the Bible on fasting is Isaiah 58:6-12. God says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen…” Then, He lists many of the benefits of fasting. Here they are: Fasting sets those in captivity free. “…to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the […]
Fasting throughout Church History
After creating the world in six days, God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). Fasting is symbolic of this day of rest. In early Christian teachings, believers are told to “fast for those who persecute you” (Didache 1:3). Traditionally, the early church fasted every […]
31 Different Kinds of Biblical Fasts
Who fasted in the Bible? Why did they fast? Here are some of the reasons people fasted in the Bible. The Eliezer Fast…to Complete a Task (Genesis 24:33) The Moses Fast…to Receive Instructions from God (Exodus 24:28) The Wave Offering Fast…for Giving to God (Leviticus 23:10-14) The Day of Atonement Fast…for Repentance (Leviticus 23:26-32) The […]
What is Fasting?
Do you want more intimacy with God? Do you desire spiritual breakthrough? Would you like more supernatural power in your life? One key to activating these in your life is a time of fasting and prayer. A fast is any length of time when you abstain from eating food. […]
The Power of Fasting
By Daniel King A massive crowd stretches across a soccer field, listening intently to the Gospel. A young girl’s deaf ear is supernaturally opened. Three deaf-mutes boys speak for the first time in their lives. A woman who has been in her wheelchair for eleven years gets up and walks. Thousands of people decide to […]
From the Cradle…to the Cross…to the Crown
If I were preaching at a Gospel Festival in a foreign nation at Christmas time, this is the message I would preach. I hope this simple truth blesses you today. From the Cradle… Two thousand years ago, a tiny baby was born in the city of Bethlehem. He was born in a stable amongst the […]
What Does Christmas Mean to You?
Christmas is a time of fun. School is out and finals are done. The tree is up and the strings of lights are on the house. Presents are bought and gifts are being wrapped. The family is together and friends visit. Candles are lit and wreaths are hung. The star is placed on top of […]
The Legend of St. Nick
The image of jolly St. Nick has become entwined with the celebration of Christmas. St. Nick, often called Santa Claus, is usually portrayed as a chubby man with a white beard dressed in a red coat trimmed with white fur carrying a big bag of presents for good little children. In the modern telling of the […]