Part IX of the “call of duty: spiritual warfare” series.
By team KGKL Arnel Data
Prayer and Fasting: Preparing for Spiritual Battle.
What is fasting? One definition simply states it as abstaining from food. The origin of the word states that it is “firmly fixed, steadfast”. So fasting simply means to not eat and avoid food right? If you answered YES, you are correct. Even the word “breakfast” implies that fasting was done. That is why every meal in the morning is called breakfast. It means to breakfasting. So how does not eating prepare you for a spiritual battle? It doesn’t. Not eating by itself is starving. This is why it is called prayer and fasting. People tend to forget about the prayer aspect when it comes to fasting.
Prayer and fasting is a very powerful tool when it comes to going into spiritual battle. It is a conditioning process. One deprives the flesh in order to gain more spiritual food from God. The only way we can feed off from God is to pray and be in our word. The greatest example of a person who fasted was Jesus Christ.
Luke 4:1-4
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’”
Why did Jesus fast? He did it to prepare for His journey. After the 40 days and 40 nights out in the desert, Jesus went on into His ministry and ultimately took up His mission to defeat death at the cross. It still amazes me how powerful prayer and fasting is.
Fasting is not for everyone, if you have health problems please consult a Doctor before fasting. The worst thing you can do while fasting is not praying. It is also not something to boast about, if you are fasting let a couple people know. Don’t tell the whole world and watch how you carry yourself.
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.”
When do I stop fasting?
It all depends on you. Some have a set amount of days that they fast, others just fast for a day, there are even others that have done the 40/40. Fasting is a way to hear God voice more audibly. It may not even be an audible voice; it can come from visions, revelations, word, etc. There are two things to take away from fasting. The first is God’s strength and second is direction. I believe that if we observe fasting along with prayer, great things can be done. While fasting, lift up your prayers to God, ask for direction, strength, answer or miracle and give it all to Him. God Lives..
