So commences preparation to sequester ourselves in fasting, prayer and meditation before the Lord as we step into the year 2023.

2022 in Review

If you are a continuous reader of this blog you know I begin every year with a 21- day fast. I did so at the beginning of 2022 and I’d like to share with you some of the answered prayers.

• I saw my granddaughter commit her life to Christ and my grandson recommit his life and get baptized.
• Suffering with chronic uveitis, my vision diminished where I unable to drive for the last two years. During the fast I declared I would drive again. This past October I passed the vision test and am driving!
• God has breathed fresh life into family relationships that were broken for years.
• A senior family member was very weak in the hospital with COVID among other underlying health issues. After about 10 days in the hospital the doctors were not able to get her blood pressure under control and decided to send her to a rehabilitation facility that day. Through me God told her, “No. You’re going home.” That same day, at 10 p.m., the family member called me and exclaimed “I’m in my driveway, I’m home!”

• God gave me a multi-faceted dream about, (1) who I am in Him, (2) where I’m going and, (3) how the enemy attacks me and what I need to do to thwart the attacks.
• God blessed me to help sponsor a mission trip to Nigeria where many were blessed.
• A religious family member refused to receive the teaching of how the Holy Spirit moves within believers. After years of holding out he has had an encounter with the Holy Spirit that totally changed his perspective of the Holy Spirit in his life. He is now experiencing that “river that flows out from the belly” in new and exciting ways.

There’s more but that’s enough to let you know God hears and He answers. He answers not only the prayers prayed but the thoughts that aren’t given breath. God is just that good!

So I’m ready to meet God again first thing in 2023. Although I make a big deal about communing with God the first of the year, know that I do and we must as believers have those regular times of communion with God throughout the year in whatever manner God sees fit to lay on our hearts.

2023 – Ascending to the High Places

The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.    Habakkuk 3:19

Preparation for the Ascent – New Testament Fasting

As I walk through different passages of scripture that couple prayer and fasting you will see how prayer and fasting is an effective force in,

1. Resisting the enemy
2. Making the right ministry and life choices
3. Deepening your relationship with God.

Jesus Fasts

Matthew 4:1-11 NLT

¹Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.

Another word for tempted is “tested”. Jesus was being tested. As long as you are breathing the adversary will test you. He only has one grade he gives out and that’s an “F”. His lesson plans are designed for you to Fail. So don’t sit in his classroom.

²For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

Some versions of the Bible say Jesus becomes hungry after fasting 40 days and nights. Others reflect he became hungry during the 40 day fast.

I will tell you from personal experience that there are certain points during a fast you feel the hunger but there is a point in which you no longer feel hungry. Your system decreases production of the hungry hormone ghrelin and you feel less hungry.

Satan Tests the Flesh

³During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

Satan came during the time Jesus became hungry. Satan is going to tempt you when you are vulnerable.

⁴ But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Satan tested his knowledge of the Word of God. He tested his connection with God. Satan’s first attack on any of us will be to test our strength and standing in God.

‘Do they know the Word of God or are they just pew saints serving God through religious rituals and traditions and not in the spirit and truth of the Word?’

If he finds you to be a pew saint then he knows he has the upper hand because he can deceive you by appealing to your fleshly desires, an area in which you more than likely will succumb. Look at how the serpent deceived Eve by appealing to her flesh– her desire to eat the forbidden fruit and her lack of understanding the commandment God gave Adam concerning that particular tree.

Satan Tests Knowledge of the Will of God

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 

⁶ and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Satan takes Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. Couldn’t he have brought him to the pinnacle of the highest point in any city and present the same offer?

There was a reason he chose Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the center seat of Judaism and later on Christianity. A place where God is known to dwell in the ancient Tabernacle and then later in the Temple Solomon built. This is where Jews and Christians alike sense their strongest ties to God and their faith seems greatest there. I too witnessed the undeniable presence of God when I visited the western wall, the only remnant of the Temple left standing.

⁷ Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

Satan tests you to push past boundaries established by God. When you associate the magnitude of your faith with a place, a denomination, a preacher, a church…

And because of that place, denomination, preacher or church you feel you have special privileges with God no one else has so you can stretch beyond what the Bible prescribes as boundaries of our Christian walk.

For Example

Let’s say there’s a great preacher who brings thousands to Christ annually. This preacher feels he gets a free pass to enjoy a little bit of marijuana to relax because after all he brings so many souls to Christ so God will certainly overlook the occasional indulgence of this vice. Right?

Or…

Another Example

Let’s say you’re in Florida and it’s so hot, really hot. There’s a pond right in front of you so you decide to take a quick dip in spite of the warning alligators frequent the pond. Your solution is to pray and ask for God’s protection for the few minutes you need to take a quick dip to cool off. That’s cool, right?

The fact of the matter is, Jesus who was standing on top of the pinnacle of the Temple, knew what was appropriate to ask God to do and what was not appropriate. How did he know? He knew the word and will (boundaries) of God!

Satan Tests Need for Power

⁸Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

⁹“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

Man has an innate desire to be in control but there is nothing wrong with that. The animal kingdom is structured like that for good reason. The best and brightest should be at the helm to lead others to safety, shelter, food, and success. However, this innate desire goes rogue when the one in power exercises control to oppress or for self-gain at the expense of others.

¹⁰“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

We know someone should be in charge. The best leaders know where their skills come from and readily acknowledge God. They know where their skills stop and God must take over.

¹¹Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Fasting and prayer strengthens the inner man to spoil the plans of the devil. He does go away even if it is just for a season.

Temptation for All

Satan tempted Jesus all the ways he tempts us. Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus was tempted in all points like we are. All Satan had to do was to get Jesus to fall once and then he would no longer be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Do you think fasting played a role in Jesus’ ability to resist the devil?

Well, the Bible was written for our learning (Romans 15:4). This is not a simple story about Satan’s exchange with Jesus. It is included in the Word as a revelation of Satan’s strategies and to reveal the means whereby we arms ourselves to keep the devil at bay.

If Jesus, the Son of God, fasted and prayed before he launched his ministry, what does that tell us about ministry?

Basically, it tells us that we aren’t to take on ministry as we would select a career depending solely on our own skills. There a difference between someone appointed to ministry and someone anointed for ministry. It is the difference between the priestly sons of Sceva and Paul in Acts 19:13-16.

Does Jesus require believers to fast?

In the following passage Jesus is speaking to his disciples.

Matthew 6:16-18 ESV

¹⁶“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. 

¹⁷But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 

¹⁸that 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.

Bottom-line, Jesus says when you fast not if….

Why should we fast?

We are tempted of Satan in the same areas Jesus was. We fast to be able to overcome these temptations as Jesus did. Every temptation falls into one of three categories described in 1 John 2,  

Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, Pride of Life

1 John 2:16 Amplified Bible

¹⁶For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [attempting to impress by placing more importance on something than it actually possesses) confidence in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world.

 

Let’s review what Satan offered Jesus

1. Offered bread to satisfy his hunger. Lust of the Flesh
2. Tempted Jesus to sin by throwing himself down from the temple saying God would send angels to catch him. Pride of Life, that is, trusting in one’s own stature by knowingly misappropriating a resource or God’s will because you think you can.
3. Offered Jesus the kingdoms of this world. In order for Satan to even think there was a chance, the kingdoms he offered had to look mighty good to impress the Son of God. Lust of the Eyes

Fasting Established for Disciples

The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked “Why do we and the Pharisees fast and your disciples do not?” Jesus responded in short, “After I go away, then they will fast.” Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:20; Luke 5:35 

Okay, so we’ve established Jesus fasted. Jesus gave clear indication the disciples would fast after he goes away. Then He went away.

Are we disciples of Christ today?

Yes?  Then we fast.

Reasons Believers Fast

To Withstand Spiritual Attacks

Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness showed us this. Your battles begin first in the spiritual realm then are manifested in the natural. Consider Satan vying to trip up Job but first getting God’s permission to afflict (Job 1:6-12). Also remember the angel Michael was withheld by Satan in the heavenlies to stop the answer to Daniel’s prayer (Daniel 10:13).

To Increase Spiritual Understanding

Cornelius in Acts 10:29-33 fasted for God to reveal Himself. God sent Peter to expound the gospel to this Gentile soldier and his family.

To Confirm Ministries and Callings

Elders were ordained through prayer and fasting in Acts 14:23. Paul and Barnabas were selected through fasting in Acts 13:2-3.

However, lots were cast to choose Judas’ replacement in Acts 1:26. There isn’t much written in the scriptures about activity surrounding Matthias after his appointment. I wonder if that might be a reflection of what happens when one is appointed versus praying and fasting over an important decision?

To Maintain Communion with God

In Luke 2:37 there was a widow of “great age” who served in the temple with fasting and prayers night and day. Because of her faithfulness God allowed her to see Jesus when his parents brought him to the temple to perform birth rituals according to the law.

Why You Should Fast / Understanding the Power of Fasting

Types of Fasts

• Daniel – Fruit and vegetables
• One meal a day
• Liquid which includes juices, broths and water
• Water only
• Any combination of the above.

Caution:

Those having chronic conditions can still fast but not in a way it exacerbates your condition. Fasting is about placing something of value on the altar as a sacrifice. It may be giving up sweets, or bread or meat. You have to make that call, you know your health.

How long do I fast?

Scripturally, Daniel’s fast is 21 days. However, you can shorten or lengthen it as desired. It’s more about what you consume spiritually during the fast (Daniel 10:2-3).

Jesus’ fast was 40 days.

Jesus, when he spoke of his disciples fasting, he did not specify the length of the fast, only that they would fast.

Seek God for how long. If you’re a novice don’t get overly ambitious with the length of time or the type. Remember the adversary wants you to fail, so small steps please. Make your first shot at it reasonably doable. Place more emphasis on spending private time with the Lord.

How to Fast – Best Practices

• Write down the petitions you want to focus on. It is okay to add to it as you fast.
• Fast with a partner, that way you can encourage and pray for each other.
• Set dedicated times free from distractions to pray and meditate on scripture.
• Gentle worship music help to usher you into the presence of God and quiet random thoughts that clutter your mind.
• Pray but equally as important, listen.
• Abstain from sexual relations. If you are married your spouse needs to agree to this endeavor (1 Corinthians 7:5).
• Separate yourself from the worldly detractors. This involves fasting your eyes and ears from things that will impede spiritual cleansing; unsavory publications on social media, television, movies, conversations, magazines, etc.
• Don’t broadcast you are fasting to any who don’t have the need to know. Fast in secret and God will reward you openly (Matthew 6:16-18).
• Journal your thoughts. Better yet, record them on the Voice Memo app on your phone. When you play it back later, even months later, you will marvel at what God says through you. You will be able to distinguish God’s thoughts from your own.

You Can’t Hurry God

God can’t be rushed. It takes time to get your mind unhooked from the world—your to do lists, concerns, obligations, etc. When your mind is clear, then you are able to enter into a place of intimacy with the Lord.

What is the result of fasting?

Fasting still remains a way to petition God, to get direction, to sanctify oneself and to grow in the spiritual gifts such as discernment, wisdom, understanding the scriptures, recognizing the voice of the Holy Spirit, etc.

Without prayer and fasting we are merely “washing up” instead of bathing in the rivers of His living water (John 7:37-39).

Once we lay claim to being filled with the Holy Spirit at what point does the Holy Spirit in us meet the description of flowing out of our bellies as living water?

It meets that description when we give Him the reigns of our lives as we place our flesh under subjection to the Holy Spirit.

I have come across more than not who have been taught little of the role and function of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s job is to be our guide, comfort and source of power until Jesus returns to receive his Church.

Ready?

I will be fasting as usual from January 2 to January 22. I invite you to take a step of faith and join me. No pressure. I realize you will have to get to the place of seeing the need before you can take that step. But hey, what better time than now?

Let’s Go!