days. At the end of 10 days the servant about eighty-four years, who did not work to which I have called them” (v. 2
could examine them to see if they were depart from the temple, but served God NKJV). After further fasting, the church
still healthy. At the end of the 10 days, all with fastings and prayers night and day” laid hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent
four of them were healthier than before, (Luke 2:37 NKJV). Anna’s devotion and them into the missionary field.
and they were spiritually blessed as well. discipline prepared her for the greatest Release. Isaiah 58:6 says the fast God
A partial fast seems not only accept- moment of her life. When Jesus made His has chosen includes loosening the bands
able, but blessed by the Lord. Restricted first earthly visit to the Temple, she recog- of wickedness, undoing heavy burdens,
fasts may include eating only raw veg- nized Him instantly and proclaimed Him letting the oppressed go free, and break-
etables and fruits, along with drinking to others who were waiting to see Him. ing every yoke. Our innermost cry must
plenty of water. Other restrictions may Fasting and prayer position our hearts be for God to bring about complete
also express your desire for purity to the in a way that we can readily recognize the spiritual freedom through our abstinence
Lord in the world where the king of dark- Lord’s visitation and help us actively pre- from physical nourishment. How many
ness seeks to corrupt God’s people. pare for Christ’s next arrival—His second people would be released if we pursued
coming. This readiness is one of the pur- the Lord in fasting?
Prayer Should Be Combined
poses of fasting. Are you lovesick enough Restoration. Today’s church desper-
With Fasting
for the Bridegroom that you would do ately needs restoration, especially in the
By combining prayer with fasting, we without eating rather than miss His com- Western world. The church, overwhelmed
are able to stay centered on the purpose ing (see Mark 2:18-20)? Anna was. by spiritual invasion, has become rela-
of our sacrifice. Con- tively ineffective with
sistent prayer during secular America. It
a season of fast- is time to do as Joel
ing allows God the said—blow the trum-
opportunity to guide
As we sacrifice that
pet, sound an alarm,
our prayers, reveal
Scripture, and speak
which we enjoy so much
and sanctify a fast
to undo the damage
to us personally. Dur-
and that is basic to our
of today’s invisible
ing times of personal
fasting, some of my
survival, we move into a
locusts (Joel 2:15).
Reward. Dur-
greatest moments of dependence on God which ing and following
revelation, spiritual
allows Him to invade
extended fasts, I have
discovery, and cleans-
ing have come while
our hearts with His
witnessed God do
miraculous things.
in prayer.
supernatural provision.
Multitudes have been
Prayer is essential saved, hundreds
in making your time baptized in the Spirit,
of fasting effectual. blinded eyes have
Pray regularly; pray been opened, deaf
fervently; pray with understanding; pray Revelation. The discipline of prayer ears unstopped, lame people made to
in the Spirit; pray when prompted by the and fasting prepares our hearts to receive walk, church problems solved, financial
Lord. Your prayers travel farther than you the grace of God’s direction. When we miracles released, and physical health
think and are more powerful than you fast, our spiritual eyes see clearer than restored. God has rewarded me when I
can dream. usual. Because we have denied our flesh, have diligently sought Him, yet the great-
our spiritual sensitivity escalates, and we est reward has been experiencing His
Why Should We Fast?
are more receptive to God’s directives. presence, His glory, and His person. As
Here are six purposes for fasting as Anticipation for answered prayer also cre- Hebrews 11:6 declares, God is “a rewarder
revealed in Scripture. There are others. scendos during seasons of fasting, making of them that diligently seek him.”
Repentance. Fasting is one way to us ready to receive revelation.
express repentance of personal or corpo- Acts 13 relates that as the leaders of Billy Wilson is an
rate failure and sin (see Jonah 3:5-10; 1 the Antioch church worshiped and fasted, international minister for the
Samuel 7:6). Fasting becomes an outward they received a revelation that altered Church of God of Prophecy.
sign of the inward brokenness and des- the course of Christian history. During This article is adapted from
perate hope for forgiveness of the seeker. their fast, the Holy Spirit said, “Now his book Fasting Forward,
Readiness. Anna “was a widow of separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the published by Pathway Press.

EVANGEL • JAN 2010 23
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