Sunday we talked about fasting from our Sermon on the Mount study. I wanted to share this as a further application of the message....
Elmer Towns wrote a book titled, Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough. In it he outlines nine biblical applications for fasting fom Isaiah 58. Fasting is something that God calls us to and usually it seems to be in the context of fasting for a particular purpose. They are provided to give us ideas about how to apply ourselves in fasting. They clearly overlap but this will give a structure and purpose for fasting.
Elmer Towns wrote a book titled, Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough. In it he outlines nine biblical applications for fasting fom Isaiah 58. Fasting is something that God calls us to and usually it seems to be in the context of fasting for a particular purpose. They are provided to give us ideas about how to apply ourselves in fasting. They clearly overlap but this will give a structure and purpose for fasting.
1. THE DISCIPLES FAST (Isaiah 58:6; Matthew 17:21).
PURPOSE: “To loose the bands of wickedness”...freeing ourselves and others from addictions to sin. Do you remember the disciples being unable to cast out the demon. Jesus told them, “This kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting.” This fast is focused on overcoming the power of Satan and sin.
2. THE EZRA FAST (Isaiah 58:6; Ezra 8:23).
PURPOSE: To “undo the heavy burdens”...to solve problems and overcome barriers that would keep us from walking joyfully with the Lord. Ezra was confronted with a problem. They had rebuilt Jerusalem and but were still being confronted by their enemies. They needed a solution and Ezra fasted and prayed for a solution and the Lord gave it.
3. THE SAMUEL FAST (Isaiah 58:6; 1 Samuel 7:6).
PURPOSE: “To let the oppressed (physically and spiritually) go free.” This is a fast for revival and soul-winning. Praying and fasting that a people or a person would come out of spiritual darkness and into God’s marvelous light. This fast came about as Samuel celebrated the return of the Ark which had been captured and prayed that the people would be delivered from the sin which led to its capture.
4. THE ELIJAH FAST (Isaiah 58:6; 1 Kings 19:4,8).
PURPOSE: “To break every yoke”...conquering the mental and emotional problems that come to control our lives. Elijah was discouraged and feeling hopeless against the pursuit of Queen Jezebel. He fasted for forty days and nights and the Lord came to give Elijah what he needed to overcome.
5. THE WIDOW’S FAST (Isaiah 58:7; 1 Kings 17:16).
PURPOSE: “To share our bread with the hungry” and to care for the poor (Isaiah 58:7)...to meet the humanitarian needs of others. God sent the prophet Elijah to a poor, starving widow...ironically, so the widow could provide food for Elijah. The principle is that by presenting ourselves before the Lord in prayer and fasting...physical needs can be overcome. The spirit of sacrifice for others characterizes the widow’s fast.
6. THE APOSTLE PAUL FAST (Isaiah 58:8; Acts 9:9).
PURPOSE: To allow God’s “light to break forth like the morning”... bringing clearer perspective and insight as we make crucial decisions. The Bible tells us the story of Saul the persecutor of the church becoming Paul the Apostle of Jesus Christ. Acts 9:9 says, “And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Paul was struck blind by the Lord while on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. He was not only without literal sight BUT he was also without vision as to what direction his life was to take. After his prayer and fasting...Paul’s sight was restored and His vision for the future God had for him was made clear.
7. THE DANIEL FAST (Isaiah 58:8; Daniel 1:8).
PURPOSE: So “your health shall spring forth” (KJV)...to gain a healthier life OR for healing. Daniel and his three friends were taken captive by the Babylonians. They rejected and the rich foods of the Babylonians court and proved their diet more healthful than that of the Babylonians. This fast is to get in control of your eating and health. Daniel did not do without food in this fast BUT restricted his diet to healthy foods. What we do with our bodies is not just a physical issue. It is also a spiritual issue.
8. THE JOHN THE BAPTIST FAST (Isaiah 58:8; Luke 1:15).
PURPOSE: That “your righteousness shall go before you”...that our testimonies and influence for Jesus will be enhanced before others. John lived a lifestyle that declared he was set apart for service to the Lord. He took the Nazarite vow that declared he would not partake of any alcoholic beverage. He lived a life of sacrifice and commitment set apart from the world. The John the Baptist fast focuses on what you do or don’t eat, wear, go, value...whatever we do we want it to bear a Christian testimony. ** What kind of influence and impact do you want to have in your world?
9. THE ESTHER FAST (Isaiah 58:8; Esther 4:16, 5:2).
PURPOSE: That “the glory of the Lord” will protect us from the evil one. Queen Esther, a Jewish woman, risked her life to save her people from destruction by Xerxes, king of Persia. Prior to going before the king...she and attendants and her cousin, Mordecai, all fasted to appeal to God for His protection. This fast is for spiritual warfare against Satan’s attacks and influence...either on your life OR on the life of someone else.
The passage from Isaiah 58 gives us these reasons for fasting... it is not an all inclusive list BUT it does give us a place to begin. Doing without food seems unreasonable to many of us. Do we love God enough to say, “I would rather miss a meal than to miss my time with God”?
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