DAY 6 (JULY 6, 2014):
TODAY: WHAT IS BIBLICAL FASTING?
TOMORROW (DAY 7 - RESTORATION)
As all students of Scripture know, Fasting is a biblical discipline, recognized in both Old and Testaments. The old Bible heroes - from Moses, to Daniel to Ezra the Scribe to the Messiah Jesus Himself - fasted. Daniel fasted from the corrupt food of the pagans to show himself approved of the Lord. Though he ate a diet full of vegetables and water, the Lord allowed him to gain weight (for this purpose only).
Ezra, the spiritual leader of the Return from the Babylonian Exile, found that things were needed to correct the direction his people were going in and he said in Ezra 8:21 "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." We see a specific reason for his corporate fast in this verse and it should serve as the guiding post for us, on this day as we prepare to fast across America and the world for Seven (7) hours on July 7, 2014 or 7/7/14.
Here is why Ezra proclaimed his fast for the returning Hebrews (from Ezra 8:21):
- To seek a safe journey for the people and their possessions
- To seek the protection of God rather than that of man (read verse 22 here)-
- To show his humility.
This is a solid reason to fast. Christians today are under increasing bondage and persecution around the world and here at home in the US. Now is the time to humble ourselves and seek God's Hand of Protection rather than the promises of politicians, and quite frankly - even those of the majority of preachers. Fasting is the best first step in humility before the Lord as by doing so, we are willingly telling Him we love Him more than that meal(s) or thing or distraction which sometimes put Him in second place in our daily lives.
Fasting is for our benefit because it is by fasting, after we have temporarily surrendered that portion of our lives which we love the most, we are then reprogrammed to be tuned into the high frequency transmission from Heaven. In my own life, I know that Fasting has brought revelation of Spiritual things and events, which I do not speak about publicly. Fasting brings healing from past hurts.
Fasting brings restoration of our relationship with God, through Christ, as fasting also brings Repentance to the fore, more prominently that in normal times. The reason for this is Fasting lays our spiritual condition bare, so that the Holy Spirit now has free and unfettered access to minister to us, in correction and revelation, BECAUSE we are now open to the discipline and direction of the Lord.
So how does one fast when you have never done so and how do we answer folks who said "the Bible never told me to fast"..."that was old Testament" etc. Well, Jesus did say “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. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 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).
Therefore, the first thing we do in fasting is not to post in on Facebook and Twitter or boast to your friends.
The second thing is - clean up - physically and if you need to, throw out all questionable books, movies, music etc from your home.
Third - prepare to meet the Lord in a special way, but anointing your own head with oil, as some of us do and then begin praise and worship and preferably - getting on your face for as long as it takes or as long as you can. Then pray the Scriptures back to Abba Father.
Father in the Strong Name of Jesus I thank You for the discipline of Fasting, which though not commanded in the Law and the Book of the Law, is necessary for Your people to get even closer to you than before! I thank You that You have strengthened us in the inner man to be able to turn aside from the ways and wiles of the world to the Wonder and Wisdom of Jesus Christ
Lord, when we think of Jesus in the Wilderness being tempted by the evil one and going without for forty days and nights...when we think of Moses on Sinai getting the Law from You for those long periods of time, we realize that You are our Bread, You are our Life, You are our Food. There is no other. This body may need sustenance in the natural, but in the Supernatural, all we need is You!
Father, as we fast together for 7 hours on 7/7/2014, may our prayers of repentance and pleas of Restoration for first, our fellow Christians worldwide and secondly, our country, rise up to You as an aroma, pleasing to the Lord. Help us to prepare our hearts, minds, bodies and souls for a powerful divine encounter that we may be empowered to then proceed and do the Work of the Kingdom, with urgency and power, in Jesus' Strong and Holy Name, amen.
TOMORROW (DAY 7 - RESTORATION)
As all students of Scripture know, Fasting is a biblical discipline, recognized in both Old and Testaments. The old Bible heroes - from Moses, to Daniel to Ezra the Scribe to the Messiah Jesus Himself - fasted. Daniel fasted from the corrupt food of the pagans to show himself approved of the Lord. Though he ate a diet full of vegetables and water, the Lord allowed him to gain weight (for this purpose only).
Ezra, the spiritual leader of the Return from the Babylonian Exile, found that things were needed to correct the direction his people were going in and he said in Ezra 8:21 "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." We see a specific reason for his corporate fast in this verse and it should serve as the guiding post for us, on this day as we prepare to fast across America and the world for Seven (7) hours on July 7, 2014 or 7/7/14.
Here is why Ezra proclaimed his fast for the returning Hebrews (from Ezra 8:21):
- To seek a safe journey for the people and their possessions
- To seek the protection of God rather than that of man (read verse 22 here)-
- To show his humility.
This is a solid reason to fast. Christians today are under increasing bondage and persecution around the world and here at home in the US. Now is the time to humble ourselves and seek God's Hand of Protection rather than the promises of politicians, and quite frankly - even those of the majority of preachers. Fasting is the best first step in humility before the Lord as by doing so, we are willingly telling Him we love Him more than that meal(s) or thing or distraction which sometimes put Him in second place in our daily lives.
Fasting is for our benefit because it is by fasting, after we have temporarily surrendered that portion of our lives which we love the most, we are then reprogrammed to be tuned into the high frequency transmission from Heaven. In my own life, I know that Fasting has brought revelation of Spiritual things and events, which I do not speak about publicly. Fasting brings healing from past hurts.
Fasting brings restoration of our relationship with God, through Christ, as fasting also brings Repentance to the fore, more prominently that in normal times. The reason for this is Fasting lays our spiritual condition bare, so that the Holy Spirit now has free and unfettered access to minister to us, in correction and revelation, BECAUSE we are now open to the discipline and direction of the Lord.
So how does one fast when you have never done so and how do we answer folks who said "the Bible never told me to fast"..."that was old Testament" etc. Well, Jesus did say “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. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 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).
Therefore, the first thing we do in fasting is not to post in on Facebook and Twitter or boast to your friends.
The second thing is - clean up - physically and if you need to, throw out all questionable books, movies, music etc from your home.
Third - prepare to meet the Lord in a special way, but anointing your own head with oil, as some of us do and then begin praise and worship and preferably - getting on your face for as long as it takes or as long as you can. Then pray the Scriptures back to Abba Father.
Father in the Strong Name of Jesus I thank You for the discipline of Fasting, which though not commanded in the Law and the Book of the Law, is necessary for Your people to get even closer to you than before! I thank You that You have strengthened us in the inner man to be able to turn aside from the ways and wiles of the world to the Wonder and Wisdom of Jesus Christ
Lord, when we think of Jesus in the Wilderness being tempted by the evil one and going without for forty days and nights...when we think of Moses on Sinai getting the Law from You for those long periods of time, we realize that You are our Bread, You are our Life, You are our Food. There is no other. This body may need sustenance in the natural, but in the Supernatural, all we need is You!
Father, as we fast together for 7 hours on 7/7/2014, may our prayers of repentance and pleas of Restoration for first, our fellow Christians worldwide and secondly, our country, rise up to You as an aroma, pleasing to the Lord. Help us to prepare our hearts, minds, bodies and souls for a powerful divine encounter that we may be empowered to then proceed and do the Work of the Kingdom, with urgency and power, in Jesus' Strong and Holy Name, amen.
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