If I were 100% honest with you, I would have to admit that I have never truly fasted.  I have tried before, but as a woman with a history of weight-related issues, fasting has always had an underlying root in “losing weight fast!”

In more recent years, and my strong desire to come to know the Lord more intimately, and follow in His will, I have become more burdened about the need to add fasting to my spiritual walk.  And there is no shortage of scriptures in the Bible that speak of it’s importance as well.   For instance in Matthew 17:21, Jesus told the disciples,  “However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.”  In this admonition to the disciples, Jesus was clearly showing us that there are some things in life that require fasting in order to bring about change.

We are shown many examples in the Bible of God granting supernatural wisdom and revelation to people who fasted.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

Moses Fasted Before Receiving the Commandments – Deuteronomy 9:9-18

Esther Fasted for the Safety of the Jews – Esther 4:15-17

Daniel Fasted for an Answer to Prayer – Daniel 10:1-3

God’s Word also tells us that this form of obedience will: 1)Help us develop a more intimate relationship with Him, which by the way is His highest priority for us. 2)It will open our eyes to what He wants to teach us. 3)It will provide the wisdom we need to better understand His plan and purpose for our lives!  This, my friend, is exactly why I have chosen to take this seriously this coming year!  A deep desire to grow closer to Jesus, a longing to know what He wants for my life, and a desperation to be in His will and understand His purpose for my life.

In Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, He taught about 3 very important principles; prayer, giving and FASTING.  Many powerful blessings, and great favor await us, as we cultivate a life of giving, praying, and fasting.  For many Christians, fasting is the missing link to the release of these blessings.  We have been taught from an early age to pray, and giving, in some form or fashion is a natural aspect of the Christian walk.  Yet fasting is rarely discussed, and many of us only know fasting to be long periods of time without food or drink.

But this is the reality.  Fasting in it’s most simplistic form, is simply giving up something that the flesh desires in order to draw more close to God and rely on Him to meet  our needs.

Ecclesiates 4:12 speaks about a 3-fold cord not quickly broken.  Developing a life of giving, prayer, and fasting can be that 3-fold cord!  “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Friend, if you are lacking in understanding God’s path for your life, in need of a breakthrough, or just a closer walk with Jesus, consider adding fasting to your spiritual journey.  Ask God to help you cultivate that 3-fold cord, and an enhanced ability to fight the battles you have been called to fight, and come out Victorious!

Much love,

Julie

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