Fasting Archives

What is Fasting? How Should I Fast for Spiritual Breakthroughs?

Posted on July 27, 2020 by dev-cbn

Some believers don’t fast. Not because they don’t want to, but because they have not fully digested the sense and significance of fasting.

Fasting – like prayer – is a spiritual discipline that must never go out of style. In fact, with all that is happening around the world, prayer and fasting are needed now more than ever!

So put those utensils down and delve on what the Bible has to say about fasting.

What is fasting?

Fasting is voluntarily giving up food, and other things you regularly enjoy, for a period of time to focus on God. Bible Study Tools says that the Hebrew verb sum describes fasting as a religious exercise and conveys the explicit meaning “to abstain from food.”

You can find that fasting is important because first and foremost, Jesus Himself did it.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” (Matthew 4:1-2 ESV)

Dwelling in a human body, Jesus knew that He would need spiritual strength to fulfill His purpose so He fasted. As a result, He returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. (Luke 4:14 ESV)

Why fast?

Following Jesus’ example, fasting makes you spiritually strong and equips you to do God’s purpose for your life. It is more than just skipping your meals. Ezra 8:21 ESV shows that fasting is an act of humility before God and devoting yourself to Him.

“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.”

Apart from the health benefits of fasting, the act helps you become sensitive to the Holy Spirit. As you deny yourself of your natural cravings and distractions – and commit yourself to praying and fasting – you become more sensitive to His voice.

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)

Fasting can also be an expression of seeking God’s forgiveness, favor, and revival. As Joshua 3:5 ESV declares, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

How to fast?

Although Jesus did not directly command his followers to fast, He reckoned that they would.

It is clear in Matthew 6:16 ESV – where Jesus explained how a believer should fast, “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

As you fast…

Plan what type of fast you would commit to and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Ultimately, know that prayer is an essential part of fasting. Without seeking and focusing on God during your fast, it wouldn’t be any different from just going hungry.

Fasting is more than just the empty stomach; it is acknowledging that you need God’s help and guidance. It is proclaiming that even when you are empty – God can fill you with His grace and mercy.

Got questions about prayer and fasting? Don’t hesitate to call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8737-0700 or send in your questions and prayer requests to our Facebook page.

Join the National Day of Prayer and Fasting against COVID-19 this March 29!

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment

The world continues to battle the deadly pandemic after it has claimed thousands of lives. Many are anxious and afraid. As the number of affected individuals continues to rise, you can respond in prayer and petition (Psalm 18:6).

More than ever, the world needs you now. Let the power of prayers fill this nation and reach the heavens by turning to God for protection and healing.

The CBN Asia and its Family of Ministries, together with various Christian churches and organizations in the country, invite you to stand in prayers against COVID-19 this upcoming National Day of Prayer and Fasting on Sunday, March 29.

Together, seek God’s mercy and pray that He mightily turn this crisis into a miracle and that He will use it to move the hearts of His people into repentance, healing, and ultimately – to salvation.

As what the Bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Based on the prayer points drafted by the Philippines for Jesus Movement, Intercessors for the Philippines, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, NFS, and Father’s Love Ministry, every Filipino is encouraged to seek the mercy of God and pray for:

The COVID-19 to end.
The protection of Filipino families and protection of every non-infected person – especially the weak, the elderly, and the vulnerable from the virus and prevent it from spreading.
Miraculous provisions for the poor and the daily wage earners that they may have food even as they are prohibited to work.
The health workers, and front liners, would be protected and kept safe, and that their physical, mental, and emotional strength would be sustained.
The scientists and experts that they would find a medical cure as soon as possible.
The government leaders and officials may act with wisdom amidst all these.

Claim and declare that Jesus Christ, the living God, is above COVID-19. Stand in the gap and join the National Day of Prayer and Fasting this March 29! (jackoliverpools.com)

If you need prayers and encouragement right now, you may send your prayer requests to CBN Asia Prayer Center or call 8-737-0-700 and we would love to pray for you.

Lent: What Is It Good For?

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment

CBN.com – The days of Lent are a time of meditation, fasting, and repentance. With the mercy of God shown through Christ’s sacrifice in full view, observers wage war against desires that may be contrary to God’s Word.

For 40 days and nights (not counting Sundays), Christians around the world take on a mantle of spiritual discipline as a way of deepening their faith in God. Observing Lent looks different for every believer, though fasting is usually a major factor. Some choose to fast in the traditional way, giving up a meal or certain types of foods. Others, after evaluating their lifestyle, determine to give up luxuries in order to focus more on their walk with our Heavenly Father, such as turning off the television or radio for Lent or cutting back on their sleep to devote the early morning hours to prayer and Scripture reading.

The options are endless. The important thing is to be obedient to the moving of the Holy Spirit and follow through on exercising self-control in the area God is touching His finger on in your life. Whatever you decide to give up make sure you are in line with what the Bible says about fasting. In the book of Matthew, we are encouraged to fast in “secret”.

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18

Be careful that your motivation for fasting, and observing Lent for that matter, is to honor God and not to stoke your self-righteousness.

Just as the Son of Man resisted sin in the wilderness, purpose in your heart to remain steadfast during this time of consecration to God. Temptations come each day and will continue through this season, as it did during Christ’s wilderness testing, as recorded in the New Testament book of Mark.

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the Good News.” Mark 1:12-15

The Bible records many times when Jesus went away by himself and focused his attention on His Father, in Heaven. Lent is a set-aside time for us to do the same. As we fast and meditate on God’s Word, take hold of Joel 2.

Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Joel 2:12-13

Fasting is an integral part of observing Lent. For us, our self-pleasing nature will wage against our desire to deny ourselves. Stay strong to the calling you have in this season. God’s blessings are greater than the momentary pleasures we are giving up.

Mourning is part of the process as we remember Jesus’ death on the Cross, but it’s also a joyous time as we reflect on His resurrection. Our joy is found in Him. Let that be the lesson we all learn during this time of consecration.

Lent, what is it good for? Absolutely everything… that matters.

God’s goodness is better than what our human minds and hearts could ever imagine. | by Hannah Goodwyn, CBN.com Senior Producer