Acts 13:2-3 KJV[2] As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. [3] And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.Isaiah 58:6-12 KJV[6] Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? [8] Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. [9] Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; [10] And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: [11] And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. [12] And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
THE PURPOSE OF FASTING
- To draw closer to God – James 4:8 KJV [8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Humility or to humble yourself. James 4:10 KJV[10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Psalm 35:13 KJV [13] But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. To hear the voice of God. – Moses got the 10 commandments through fasting Divine intervention – Daniel Obedience – Isaiah 1:19
PEOPLE WHO FASTED IN THE BIBLE.
1. Ahab?(1 Kings 21:27-29)2. Judah?(2 Chron. 20:1-25)3. Judah?(Ezra 8:21-23)4. Ezra?(Ezra 10:6-17)5. Nineveh?(Jonah 3)6. Nehemiah?(Neh. 1:4-2:10)7. Jews?(Esther 4:1-3; Esther 9:1-3)8. David?(Psalm 35:13; Psalm 69:10; Psalm 109:24)9. John’s disciples?(Matthew 9:14-15)10. Anna?(Luke 2:37)11. Church at Antioch?(Acts 13:1-5)12. Paul?(Acts 27:9-11)13. Cornelius?(Acts 10)14. Many churches?(Acts 14:23)15. Paul?(2 Cor. 6:5; 2 Cor. 11:27)16. David1 day(2 Samuel 3:35)17. Judah1 day(Neh. 9:1-4)18. Judah1 day(Jeremiah 36:6)19. Daniel1 day(Daniel 9:3,20-27)20. Pharisee1 day(Luke 18:9-14)21. Israel1 day(Judges 20:26-35)22. Israel1 day(1 Samuel 7:6-14)23. David1 day(2 Samuel 1:12)24. Darius1 night(Daniel 6:18-24)25. Esther and Mordecai3 days(Esther 4:13-9:3)26. Many people3 days(Matthew 15:32-39)27. Paul3 days(Acts 9:9,17)28. David7 days(2 Samuel 12:16-23)29. Israel7 days(1 Samuel 31:13)30. Paul and 276 men14 days(Acts 27:33-34)31. Daniel21 days(Daniel 10:3-13)32. Moses40 days(Deut. 9:9-10:10)33. Joshua40 days(Exodus 24:13-18; Exodus 32:15-17)34. Elijah40 days(1 Kings 19:7-18)35. Jesus40 days(Matthew 4:1-11)
PERSONAL STORY OF FASTING
- Since 1995 I was taught Fasting every Sunday by Pastor Cosmas Nyirenda. We would only break the fast after the service. Fasting at the mountain Dola hill & saw broken bones join.
3. 6 months of fasting and God established me as leader, a new leader of the prayer group in a new church in 2004. In 2011, I fasted for 70 days without food and God helped us to obtain a new church building worth £1,500,000.00 = $2,074,500.00