Why Fast? part 5

Here is our conflict – and here is where fasting becomes most powerful: since the outer person is only broken through external pressure, we, through fasting, are showing God our deep intent to become what He wants us to be, by voluntarily altering our external world. Fasting creates external pressure. Fasting is voluntary: we are showing God how serious we are to become what He wants us to be by voluntarily applying pressure on our carnal nature.
 

Practical Tips

Let’s consider some practical things about fasting. If you have never fasted in your life, I challenge you to do so. If you have medical issues which require you to take certain foods, then you may want to fast something other than food (most medicines are absorbed into your system through food). Or you may want to do a partial fast. 

Usually, without an intake of food, vitamins and medications pass right through us. Maybe you should fast television or social media, or internet and determine to read one of the books of the Bible in a day. Read the book of Revelation. If you must eat, eat very sparingly – just enough to satisfy your doctor’s orders. 

Often, a one-day fast seems to be anything but spiritual because it is not uncommon to get a little crabby. You will also get faster’s breath because of the release of toxins. 

Arthur Wallis talks about the three different kinds of fasts in his book, God’s Chosen Fast. 
1. The normal fast – abstaining from food for one or more days. Usually the normal fast is a three-day fast (water only). 
2. The absolute fast – no food or water for no more than three days. The human body cannot go without water for more than three days – unless supernaturally sustained. 
3. The partial fast – using a restricted diet, like Daniel’s fast. 

When we fast, the first thing our body feeds on is carbohydrates. Any group of organic compounds - that includes sugars, starches, celluloses - serve as a major energy source in the diet. So when you begin to fast, it eliminates your energy source. The elimination of carbohydrates does not satisfy hunger, that is why, in the first few days of a fast, you experience hunger pains. 

Then when the carbs are all gone, the body begins to feed on the fat cells (stored fat). Fat cells do help eliminate hunger pains, subsequently the longer you fast the better you feel. Feeding on fat cells is like driving a car on regular gas when it should be using premium: there is energy there, but not as much. You can fast as long as you have fat cells to feed on. The average-weighted person can fast around 40 days. Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness. Matthew 4:2-3 “After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.”  

After the fat cells are gone the body begins to feed on muscle tissue. Muscle tissue does not satisfy hunger, so it returns. That is God’s natural way of telling us it’s time to end the fast. When a person starts to feed on muscle tissue, they are no longer fasting; they are now starving. 

Do you remember the Missionaries I mentioned earlier? Following is a portion of an email I received from one of them recently.   

“I arrived on Sunday and, after an hour-long wait in line, passed uneventfully through Passport Control! This was a major answer to prayer as it was the first potential problem I was going to face on this return trip! 

On Monday, I met with my new school administrator. While he expressed enthusiasm about my teaching at his school this year, the English Department Head who was responsible for hiring me, de-friended me on Facebook and warned the administrator that we would both end up in jail for my participation in events trying to overthrow the government. The administrator, however, is choosing to keep me at the school, as long as the government does not tell him otherwise. Not the warmest of welcomes, but an open door, nonetheless. 

On Tuesday, I was visited by three police officers for about 45 minutes. Had my friend not been present at the time of their visit, I would have certainly been taken to the police station for questioning. As it turned out, we answered their questions; they made some phone calls and took notes; then shook my hand and left. The visit was a bit unnerving, but truly I want them to investigate me if that's what it will take to clear my name. 

God’s Spirit reminded me today that our safety, comfort and an easy life weren't things He guaranteed me (nor were they things that I had sought after in returning overseas four years ago). This situation I'm in will require continual prayer (and fasting) and a deep dependence on Him. He is the one who opens and closes doors and He wants us to look to Him rather than rest in a state of comfort or some perceived security. Please continue to pray for favor and for the government to grant me a work permit. 

Thank you for standing with me. This is by no means a one-man job. I have already felt the onslaught of the enemy but sensed a greater peace of the Spirit of the Living God!”
 

Then he said this: “Tell your church I have been fasting with you, in this week of prayer and fasting.”  Don’t you think that’s cool! 
 

Let’s close this study in prayer. As you pray, the first thing I want you to do is to talk to God about your involvement in fasting. Maybe before this week you’ve never really even considered fasting – and now you are thinking God wants you to do some fasting. If you feel you need some spiritual encouragement, then I would love the opportunity to pray with you.  END