There are multiple ways to fast. Remember when David fasted? He fasted for seven days as a plea to God on his son's behalf while his son was ill. Or when Daniel fasted for three weeks, abstaining from the common sustenance the other servants relied on. How about when Jesus healed the demon possessed boy? Jesus told his disciples that this kind of possession can only leave by prayer and fasting, and that the disciple's faith was not yet strong enough. Then there's lamenting-the fast from joy. This type of fasting is a cry to God, and shows our Father our trust in Him, as He is the author of our faith.
Then there's the time when God rebukes the ones who fast for the approval of the assembly, and instructs us in the proper way to fast. All of these are examples and an instruction on the proper way to fast. God should be the primary overseer. Fasting builds faith. Fasting builds our faith in the Lord through the act of faith required for our petition. Our faith is strengthened through His response and our awareness of it.
These petitions are not just for our benefit or the benefit of others. Those benefits are results and a byproduct of our communion with the Father. And fasting is not only a petition, but a means to draw closer to God. Jesus also reminds us that persecution will come from the Sadducees and Pharisees-the ones that grieve and oppress us on account of Christ. The enemy knows when we fast and will attack our faith through the thoughts and questions that surface during our test of faith-like when Jesus fasted in the wilderness when he was tempted by the devil for forty days.
So there's spiritual sustenance and then there's earthly sustenance. All of these are prime examples of how to fast from the ways of this world, and how to rely on the sustenance only the Father can provide. They are stepping stones for the ones who wish to go higher. Only through Jesus, and prayer and fasting can we purge the worldy programming within us and our community. I pray this edifies your spirit. In Jesus name. Amen. I love you. God is with you. Shalom Shalom
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