The Godly Gazette (Fasting)

Fasting

Fasting

Fasting is to give something up for a specific time, usually involving food, although not always. Fasting reveals our dependence and helps to break the lustful desires of our flesh, giving us spiritual strength, and revelation of how God’s Word can be working in our life.

Prayer and fasting go hand in hand. If you are depriving your body of food, and you are not seeking God, then you are simply starving yourself for no reason. When you are fasting, you need to be in diligent prayer, seeking God’s face, asking for wisdom, knowledge, and revelation of His Word.

Matthew 6:16-18 - “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. NIV

Jesus said that fasting should be done in secret. You should not fast to impress others, or to make yourself feel spiritually better than others. Fasting should be done to bring yourself into God’s presence, asking Him to reveal your character, and heighten your spiritual awareness.

Mark 9:29 - And He said unto them, this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. KJV

This verse is found in the story af a young man who was demon possessed from childhood. Jesus told the young mans father that anything is possible for him who believes. The father replied, "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief" (Mark 9:23-24).

What Jesus was saying in this story is that there are certain levels of spirituality and belief that can only be reached by fasting. Everything is possible for him who believes. seeking God's face and prayer, while fasting, will help you to overcome areas of unbelief in your life.

Water Baptism

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