Why Fast?

From Fasting Forward by Billy Wilson, Awakening America Alliance

When we fast we slow down to move forward. …we will be able to notice and see things while we are fasting that would otherwise go unnoticed. Not only does our body slow down when fasting, but our spirit slows down as well. This life-pause allows us to sharpen our focus and hear from God. Fasting is one of God's greatest and least received gifts to us. The greatest spiritual advancements in the history of the world await those who will pursue Him with total abandon and sacrificial desire. Let's pursue fasting with purpose!

Purpose #1: Repentance Jonah 3; 1 Samuel 7:6
Corporate repentance is needed in today's churches more than any other time in history. Transforming, restoring repentance is signaled by the following:

• Our present lack of effectiveness
  
• The quagmire of denominational bureaucracy
  
• The apathy of church membership
  
• The ascendant attitudes of many leaders
• The rising tide of darkness

Corporate repentance calls for both inward and outward breaking, which means fasting should be the order of the day. “If my people…will humble themselves, and pray” is still the lead statement to God's promise of restoration in 2 Chronicles 7:14. This humility can be demonstrated by answering the call of God to fast.

Purpose #2: Readiness Luke 2; Mark 2
Fasting and prayer position our hearts in a way we can readily recognize the Lord's visitation and helps us actively prepare for Christ's next arrival - His second coming. Are you lovesick enough for the Bridegroom that you would do without eating rather than miss His visitation?

Purpose #3: Revelation Acts 9:13
Millions of Christians are…in need of direction. Yesterday's light has faded, and the gleam of tomorrow's promise is not yet in sight. We are disoriented by our darkness and desperate for direction. The discipline of fasting and prayer prepares our hearts to receive the grace of God's direction. When we fast, our spiritual eyes see clearer than usual. Because we have denied our flesh, our spiritual sensitivity escalates, and we are more receptive to God's directives. Anticipation for answered prayer also crescendos during seasons of fasting, making us ready to receive revelation. Due to our lack of revelation and connection with heaven, people are out of position throughout the church. What would happen if we decided to stop simply marching on and waited on the Lord, giving ourselves to a season of intense intercession for illumination?

Purpose #4: Release Mark 9; Isaiah 58; Daniel 9
One of the critical purposes of fasting is to bring spiritual release to those who are bound. The prophet Isaiah states emphatically that the fast God has chosen includes: loosening the bands of wickedness, undoing heavy burdens, letting the oppressed go free, breaking every yoke. If John Wesley was even partially correct when he stated: “God does nothing but in answer to prayer,” the church has a huge responsibility to seek God's face diligently until God's end-time promises are actualized…we need to pray and fast until people are released.

Purpose #5: Restoration Joel 1 and 2
The inner longing for God to bring a supernatural reversal is expressed when we abstain from food. Today's church desperately needs restoration. Divorce rates, depression and other struggles are just as prevalent in the American church as they are among the unchurched. As the homosexual agenda advances, pluralistic mind-sets increase, filth fills the airwaves, and confusion controls both classroom and courtroom, the church's voice is preoccupied with internal struggles. The integrity of our pulpits and the spiritual vitality of our faithful pew-dwellers have been devoured by armies of invisible locusts that have eaten away at our fruitfulness. Is it not time to blow the trumpet, sound an alarm and sanctify a fast to undo the damage of today's invisible locusts?

Purpose #6: Reward Hebrews 11; Genesis 15; Philippians 3
Fasting helps us focus on our primary goal. It trains our heart to turn away from the distractions of the world and press toward the reward before us. God promises that He will reward those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6b). …answered prayer, supernatural peace, divine love and earthly blessings in a variety of forms all qualify as rewards. Scripture assures us that the greatest reward is the Lord himself. Jesus is our gold medal at the end of the race. He is our reward... God's promise to Abram can be claimed as our own. He becomes our great reward. (Genesis 15:1) The singular desire of knowing God and beholding His beauty will help us cross the finish line without stumbling.

Living a life of fasting and prayer may seem impossible to you. Every time you approach spiritual breakthrough, things seem to fall apart. The obstacles before you are invisible, but they are real. Trust me, or better yet, trust God, your barriers can be broken. Once you experience victory in seeking the Lord through fasting, you will wonder how you ever lived without periodically participating in this discipline. Latent potential will be released, and you will find yourself moving into new spiritual dimensions once believed impossible.

Billy Wilson
Fasting Forward, Advancing Your Spiritual Life Through Fasting
Pathway Press, Cleveland, Tennessee 37311, 2005