Benefits of Fasting.
The spiritual benefits of fasting are numerous. Jesus fasted for 40 days and Moses also fasted for 40 days to experience the glory of God. Fasting means that we deny the body but look to God for our spiritual strength. Food is a basic need, we fast and give up food for the presence of God. We become hungry for God and more of his spirit. Fasting focuses our total attention on God. Daniel, Elijah, David, Ester, and many more in the Bible fasted, to seek the face of God. Fasting will move all the stubborn mountains in your life.
1. Allows the spirit to dominate the flesh
The more the spirit grows, the less you will walk in the flesh. You will not be inclined to fulfill the lust of the flesh when the spirit dominates. There will be spiritual growth and cleansing when you fast. Fasting opens up the door for the Holy Spirit to come in and do good work in you and in your life. When the spirit grows, then you get closer into the presence of God. Spiritual eyes will be opened and you will be able to see the will of God for your life.
In Galatians 5:16 it says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” When you fast, you feed the spirit and starve the flesh. Fasting is going the distance to seek the father’s face.
2. Allows for Self-Control
Sometimes the benefit of fasting and the results are not seen immediately, but with time you will see the undeniable results. Fasting calls for resistance and abstinence. This will encourage self-control and persistence. Fasting usually is giving up something you enjoy and will help you to exercise control over your desires.
3. Encourages Humility
“Humble yourself in the sight of God and he shall lift you up,” James 4:10. Humility draws us closer to God. This way we can know God for ourselves. He wants us to come to him like a little child and wait on him to give us his wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Fasting teaches humility and brokenness before the presence of God. When we humble ourselves before him he will exalt us in due season. We are better able to achieve self-control and humility.
4 Builds Character
Fasting helps you to build strong character. You become a committed person who can withstand attacks from the enemy. Food is a necessity and craving. If you can resist the urge to eat then you start to build up self-control and resistance. You become a person of authority and perseverance. It builds up your resistance to the pressures and temptations of the world. It lessens the appetite for things of the flesh. Fasting is a good way to subdue desires, break yokes, remove the heavy burden and open you up to the will of the father.
5. Immediate Miracles
In the bible when many of God’s followers and great Kings needed a sudden and immediate miracle; They proclaimed a fast. Ester proclaimed a fast when she was going in to seek help from the King. King Jehoshaphat called for a fast when they were going out against the enemies and needed God’s help for victory. We should do the same when we seek immediate answers from God. Miracles, favor, signs, and wonders can manifest when you fast and pray.
6. Breaks stubborn problems
If you are facing strongholds and surmounting problems that seemed too big for you to handle. Then fasting can break these mountains. If you feel like you are in a constant circular cycle, where your life is going like a merry-go-round, you need to add fasting to your prayers to break these strongholds. The Bible says in Mark 9:29 “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Some stubborn demons can only move when you pray and fast. If this is your case, then you need to turn down your plate and turn up your spirit to God. Past problems that keep following you and your family, will be broken when you fast and pray.
7. Brings us closer to God
Fasting is designed to bring us closer to God. It is a gesture of sacrifice, giving up something to seek the face of God. Closeness to God is the goal. God wants us to live in his presence and see his glory. “God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth, “John 4:24. When we fast the spirit rises and overpowers the flesh. This way we come closer into the presence of God. The more time you spend with God the more you will know about him. The more you know about him the more you will want to be in his presence. A deeper spiritual connection with God leads to a more fulfilled life and life more abundantly. God is the reason for living, in him, we live, move, and have our being. Fasting helps us to know more about God.
8. Receive Renewed Hope
Fasting brings the presence of God, which builds hope and gives strength. If you feel like your situation is hopeless and you do not see a way out. You have already prayed and called out to God but you do not see any changes. Have faith in God. Add fasting to your prayers and exercise your faith. You will see God do mighty work in your life and answer your prayers. Build up your faith through fasting and prayer. In Isaiah 58:6 it says, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to lose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?”
9. Strength to move forward and leave the past behind
The past is a hindrance to many people’s spiritual growth. People hold on to the mistakes they have made and find it hard to let go and move on. It’s hard to get past your past. People focus too much on all the wrongs and mistakes they made in life. Even though they are now under grace and no longer under sin. Most times it is easier to believe Jesus forgives you than it is to forgive yourself.
People hold on to things that have happened to them or that they did to others, even from their childhood. Fasting will break these strongholds from the past. God will not hold your sins against you he is faithful to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
Let go of the past
You need to move forward and leave the past behind. You cannot fulfill destiny if you are always looking back and stopping to clear roadblocks. It is difficult to overcome past hurts and pains, but fasting will break them. Move forward in the strength of the almighty God he will keep you to the end. Do not look back, the past is over. You are now a new creation in Christ.
10. Fasting reveals hidden truth
Fasting will break through the darkness in your life and expose the hidden truths. Ask for the divine grace that you will be able to see the truth from the lies. Fasting opens up your spiritual eyes and brings you closer to God. You can also receive divine instructions and directions when you fast.
11. Fasting helps us to put God First
Fasting prioritizes our time to spend with God. It shows that we put God first, he is at the center of our life. He should take center stage all the time. This creates a hunger for God. Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, fasting purifies the body for a deeper connection with the spirit. God is sovereign and when we see him as such we will put him ahead of our busy schedule. We will set aside time to fast and seek him. When we fast, we should take our mind off the things of the world and focus on the greatness and awesomeness of our God. He is able to do mighty miracles in our lives. God is the main source of our provision and strength.
12. Fasting Builds up Faith
Your faith will increase and become stronger when you fast. Fasting builds faith for revival and high expectations from God. When your faith is strong then you can believe and receive everything you need from God. Fasting will lead to increased faith. We believe that as we empty ourselves, God will fill us up with his Holy Spirit. Fasting and prayer are the best ways to defeat our Giants.
Spiritual food is necessary for spiritual growth. You must fast as God gives you the grace and wait for instructions from the Holy Ghost. If you become weary for physical food God will sustain you.
There are many spiritual benefits of fasting:
Fasting produces a hunger to be closer to God and learn more about him.Fasting helps to satisfy spiritual growth.
When we fast we gain a more unique spiritual awakening, which is much greater than what is given up.
Fasting allows the spirit man to rise while crucifying the things of the flesh.
Fasting cleanses the soul and helps to draw us closer to God.
Our spiritual gifts and abilities will become evident when we fast.
When we fast we learn to appreciate God more.
Fasting shows that we set aside valuable time to seek his face.
Fasting breaks addiction and unwanted habits.
Prayer during fasting
Dear heavenly Father, I come to you in Jesus’ name. I thank you that you are able to sustain me through every trial and season in my life. Father give me the courage and strength to make it through this fast. Draw me closer to you and let me experience the power of your Holy Spirit. Help me to have an encounter with you, like never before. Father, please break all the stubborn resistance to my breakthrough today. Wash me again Lord from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet. Give me a fresh anointing to seek you more and more each day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.