THE FASTING

DEREK PRINCE

The Bible and the history of Israel demonstrate that fasting is a regular part of the
life of the people of God.
Under the Old Covenant, Israel was required to fast collectively for at least
once a year on the Day of Atonement and on other occasions. The Bible also
mention individuals who fasted: Moses, David, Elijah, and many kings of Israel did so.
they did it together with the people.
In the book of Acts, we find accounts of the Early Church fasting in
groups when there were special needs, particularly when they sent to the
apostles and when they appointed elders in the local churches. Trusted sources
They mention that for several centuries the Primitive Church practiced fasting regularly.
Wednesdays and Fridays of each week. Also, in more recent times, it has
There have been groups and movements that have recognized the need to fast.

Preparation for fasting:

The mental attitude with which one begins fasting is crucial and has a lot to do with the
success achieved. I believe we need to approach with a positive attitude of faith: it is the
God's will is for me to fast and He will bless me because I do it according to His
will.
The Bible reveals that fasting is within God's will. We do not need
to have any special feeling or revelation to do it either
we need to pray, because the Bible teaches it clearly. The people who
they expect to receive a special revelation regarding something that the Bible teaches, very
They rarely receive it and therefore lose the purpose of God.
God will reward us in our fasting if we seek Him with the right motivation and
as the Scriptures indicate. Matthew 6:17 and 18 says:

But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face; so that it is not
men that see you fasting, but your Father who is in secret; and your Father
what you see in secret will reward you.

This is a very clear promise. If we fast for good reasons and in the way
correct, God will reward us openly. If we do not do it, we deprive ourselves of the
reward, because God expects us to meet the conditions to give it. Perhaps the
the reward may not be exactly what we expected, but it will never stop coming if
we seek God diligently.
In Isaiah 58, we find a series of promises for those who fast according to the
the will of God. It is worth examining some of them. All these results are
they will achieve it if the fasting is done in a way that pleases God.

Then your light will shine like the dawn, and your salvation will soon be revealed; and your
justice before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and he will say: Here I am...

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 The Lord will always shepherd you, and in droughts he will satisfy your soul, and he will give strength to your...
bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of waters, whose waters
they never miss.
And yours will rebuild the ancient ruins; the foundations of generations and
You will raise a generation, and you will be called a restorer of breaches, a restorer of
paths to inhabit (vs. 8 - 9, 11 - 12).

This is a list of ten specific promises awaiting those who fast from
agreement with the will of God: 1) Light. 2) Health. 3) Justice. 4) Glory. 5) Response to
la oración. 6) Dirección continua.7) Saciedad. 8) Refrescamiento. 9) Trabajo que
remains. 10) Restoration. If we start the fast with a positive attitude of faith
knowing that we are doing what the Scriptures teach, that we are obeying
the revealed will of God, and that God himself will reward us, then we will be able to
to specifically wait for these promises mentioned in Isaiah.
We also need to have the right attitude towards our bodies.
Many Christians do not have it. Their impression is that the body is a necessary evil with
the one they have to live with and they only wait for the day when they will free themselves from it. In the meantime, not
they want to give it too much importance or dedicate too much time to it because they think that it
makes them appear somewhat "unspiritual". However, the Bible urges us otherwise.
manner. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 we read the following:

O, do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in
you and whom you have of God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
body (and in your spirit, which are of God).

Our physical body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and when Jesus died on the cross and
he spilled his blood, redeemed not only our spirits and our souls, but also
our bodies. He purchased us entirely with the price of his spilled blood and he
We belong completely to him, spirit, soul, and body. He has a true interest.
in our bodies and a very specific purpose for them. My body must be
temple of the Holy Spirit, place of His dwelling and God wants to maintain His residence
in the best possible conditions. It should be healthy and strong and capable of doing
everything that God commands him.
Pablo says in Romans 6:13 the following regarding our physical members:
And do not continue presenting the members of your body to sin as
instruments of iniquity, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead
the dead, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness.
The members of my physical body must be instruments or weapons, as read the
margin, in the hands of God. They do not belong to me, but to God, and I must present them.
ready for him. It is logical that God wants his weapons to be in good condition.
and not weak and useless. He wants our bodies to be healthy and our
strong, effective, and active members because they are the instruments of Christ with which
fulfills its purpose on earth.
Fasting is a very practical way to keep our bodies healthy.
Many physical and other problems would be solved if Christians had the
custom of fasting. When I see the way many Christians treat their
bodies, especially with the kind of things that nourish it, I wonder what
What condition would their cars be in if they treated them with such little care and respect?

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How do they maintain their bodies? Possibly they would no longer function. It is very necessary.
appreciate the importance of a healthy body.

The purpose of fasting

Someone said that if you aim for nothing, you hit nothing. We need a sight and a
objective when we fast. The Scriptures indicate that there are many good reasons for
to fast.
First, fasting is for humbling oneself. David "afflicted his soul with fasting" (Ps 35: 1
God will not humiliate us, because he has told us that we must humble ourselves
(Santiago 4:10). My experience has proven it, that when I fast with good...
reasons and with faith humbling myself in the presence of the Lord, He exalts me. The principle
is the same throughout the Bible. The one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who
he who humbles himself will be exalted (Matt 23:12). The choice is ours. The biblical way of
To humble oneself is with fasting.
Another reason to fast is to draw closer to God. The Bible says that if we
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
A third reason to fast is to understand the Word of God. I have learned
from the experience that God gives me a greater and deeper revelation of His word in
times of fasting and seeking Him.

Another very important reason is to know the will of God and receive the
direction for my life. Ezra said: "And I proclaimed a fast there by the river Ahava, to
to afflict ourselves before our God, to ask Him for a straight path for us and
for our children, and for all our goods” (Ezra 8: 21). Time and again I have
I have had the experience that when I humble myself with fasting and seek the direction of God, He
guide me on the right path.

Another very common reason to fast is healing. Isaiah 58:8 says: 'and your salvation will...'
It will be seen soon.
certain occasion regarding a particular type of spirit: "This class only comes out but
with prayer and fasting" (Matt 17:21). Even Jesus, before entering his ministry of
health and liberation, he spent forty days fasting.

We can also fast when we need God's intervention in a crisis or

a particular problem that we cannot solve by ordinary means. The Bible offers
many examples. In 2 Chronicles chapter 20, Jehoshaphat and those from Judah found themselves
against an invading army that they could not defeat with ordinary military methods. They
they were humbled before God, gathering, fasting, and praying, and God took care of
enemy. They did not have to use any of their weapons because God defeated them.
completely. I don't believe that God has favorites; he is willing to intervene in
we find favor with Him when we seek Him in the same way.

Another reason to fast is to intercede for others. Many people come to

ask me for advice regarding their unconverted relatives. The common question is
What can I do to help them find their salvation? The question I ask them.
often it is if they have prayed and fasted for the salvation of their husband, son or
Daughter. Have they been willing to make personal sacrifices, to do something that costs them, for the sake of
of their loved ones? There are many testimonies of what God has done for
respond to the prayers with fasting in favor of loved ones.

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 If you are planning a special fasting period (for more than one day) or if you have a purpose
In particular, it's good to make a list of your goals and set a date for them. I am glad that
having done it several times in 1950. I still keep the lists and I do not stop
to be surprised by how many things God has answered, even though some of them were
I fasted and prayed for my mother's salvation, and although it took many
years, God made it definitive and dramatically almost at the last moment. Almost when already
she didn't have much time left, she was able to understand the gospel and had a tremendous
experience of salvation.

When I read these lists, I can't help but praise God for His wonderful...
Answers to the prayer. A list can be a good idea in your everyday life of
Prayer. It may not be necessary for everyone to do it, but if you do, one day you will praise.
to God for the way He will respond to their prayers.
To create discipline in ourselves 1st Cor 9: 27

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF FASTING

Some people should exercise some caution regarding physical aspects.

of fasting. If you have certain types of physical problems, such as diabetes or tuberculosis, or if
are under a medication regimen, they should consult their doctor for guidance
I advise whether they should fast or not. There are some people who should not fast. In such
I believe it is the responsibility of other Christians to fast for those who cannot.

There are several things that will help you achieve maximum physical benefits during your fasting.
First, rest plenty. In fact, I took extra time to rest. It's possible.
to pray, both well lying in bed and on knees.
Secondly, do some exercise and breathe fresh air. I find that it is
it's easy to pray while I walk. The exercise will greatly increase the benefits.
spiritual and physical aspects of fasting.
One third thing to remember when fasting is to consume enough
liquids to clean the kidneys and the body. What kind of liquids? I think that
better is pure water, not the one obtained from the tap, but the one that is pure and that
can be found in some grocery store.

Whoever fasts invariably realizes that the palate sharpens and discovers everything
class of bad tastes in the water that went unnoticed before, particularly the
taste of chlorine. Although I strongly advise that one should drink pure water, in the
At the beginning of the fast, you can add a little honey and lemon to the water. Drink the water.
hot. Lemon and honey together are purifying agents.
If you don't want to drink plain water, other beneficial fluids are broth and juices.
fruits. I personally advise those who are fasting not to drink coffee, tea, or mate, because
both are strong stimulants. You will receive greater physical benefits if you avoid them
when fasting.
The unpleasant physical effects of fasting in most people reach their
climax on the second, third, or fourth day. After that time, a period begins
stimulating, invigorating, and delightful. If you manage to get this far, you will find that your strength
physics will increase astonishingly. In my experience, it is not so much physical vigor but
Mentally; in one hour of work I can do what would normally take me two or three.

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My mind becomes much clearer, although my body may still protest.
a little with a feeling of weakness.

DURING THE FAST

I strongly recommend that during the fast you take extra time to read the Bible
and pray. I put the reading of the Bible first, because in my opinion it is wise.
getting used to not praying without having read first. If you read the Bible first, your spirit is
anointed and his mind is prepared for God. In this way, his prayer is generally
more effective. If you are fasting just two meals, it may seem to you like you don't have
enough time, but remember that you have the time you would have spent eating.
Offer it to the Lord. Spend that time or more if possible reading the Bible and praying.

You must also protect yourself from spiritual attacks. The true sacrifice is not
the lack of food, but the spiritual battle. When you truly begin to
seeking God, to pray and fast for the things that matter, Satan will overturn
twice about you your spiritual forces.

You will find that there are strange pressures coming against you: doubt, fear, or loneliness.
It will feel like being in a dark place or losing some of your feelings like the
joy, the peace and the joy that a Christian normally has. Do not be alarmed if that
It happens. In reality, it is a reverse compliment from the devil. It means that he is worried and
that he wants to prevent you from continuing with your goals. Do not give in to these emotions.
Do not let your feelings dictate what you should do. Keep in your mind the
great basic truths of the Word of God: God is on your side; God loves you;
God will reward those who seek Him. It is true, whether you feel it or not. Do not let...
the feelings make him hold back.

Another important precaution is to avoid religious ostentation. Jesus says in Matthew 6:

And when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do; for they...
they neglect their appearance so that men see that they are fasting. Truly I say to you
I say that they already have their reward. Don't put on a religious show. Don't let them know.
Everyone who is fasting. Some people will have to know it, but don’t do it.
make it a public spectacle. Fast as quietly and unobtrusively as you can.
possible.

Fasting is both a duty and a privilege. Let us hear God's call to pray and
to fast, individually and together, trusting that he will fulfill his promise of
to reward those who seek Him diligently.