THE HOUSE OF JUDAH'S FAST

 

THE HOUSE OF JUDAH'S FAST

Four Types of Fast from the Bible

1. Regular Fast (Water Only)

   • Example Scripture: Matthew 4:2

   • Explanation: This is the most common type of fast, where individuals abstain from all food but continue to drink water. Jesus undertook this type of fast for forty days and nights in the wilderness.

2. Partial Fast (Restrictive)

   • Example Scripture: Daniel 1:12

   • Explanation: In a partial fast, individuals restrict certain types of food rather than abstain from all food. For example, Daniel and his companions refrained from eating the king's rich food and wine and chose to eat only vegetables and drink water.

3. Absolute Fast (No Food or Water)

   • Example Scripture: Esther 4:16

   • Explanation: This type of fast involves complete abstinence from both food and water. Esther called for this fast for three days and nights before she approached the king to save her people.

4. Corporate Fast (Group Fast)

   • Example Scripture: Jonah 3:5-7

   • Explanation: A corporate fast is when a group of people, such as a community or nation, fast together for a common purpose. The people of Nineveh collectively fasted in response to Jonah's message of impending judgment, seeking repentance and forgiveness.

Teaching Development with Scriptures

Zechariah 8:18-23 (KJV)

Verses 18-19: "And the word of the Lord of hosts came unto me, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace."

Explainer Points:

1. Transformation of Mourning to Joy: God promises to turn the previously sorrowful fasts into times of joy and celebration for the house of Judah.

2. Emphasis on Love and Peace: The underlying principle is to love the truth and peace, indicating a shift from ritual fasting to a heartfelt change.

3. Significance of Specific Months: Each specified month had historical significance and remembrance, now being transformed into occasions of gladness.

Verses 20-21: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also."

Explainer Points:

1. Unified Worship: People from various cities coming together to seek the Lord emphasizes unity in worship.

2. Encouragement to Seek God: There is an active encouragement to seek the Lord, showing the importance of communal prayer and worship.

3. Speedy Action: The urgency in seeking God highlights the earnest desire for spiritual renewal and connection.

Verses 22-23: "Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you."

Explainer Points:

1. Inclusivity of Nations: Many people and strong nations seeking the Lord signifies the universal appeal and inclusivity of God's promise.

2. Testimony of God's Presence: The statement "God is with you" indicates a strong testimony and recognition of God's presence among His people.

3. Jewish Leadership: Jews being sought for their connection to God underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance.

Bible Commentary on Zechariah 8:18-23

1. Matthew Henry's Commentary: Emphasizes the transition from fasting as an expression of sorrow to joyful feasts, focusing on God's promise of restoration and peace.

2. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary: Highlights the historical context of the fasts and their transformation into joyful events, reflecting God's faithfulness to His people.

3. John Gill's Exposition: Discusses the significance of the specified fasts and their new meaning in light of God's covenant and the future blessings promised to Judah.

4. Pulpit Commentary: Analyzes the communal aspect of seeking God and the prophetic vision of nations recognizing God's presence among the Jews, symbolizing a future of universal worship.

Conclusion

The fasting principle given here for Judah in Zechariah 8:18-23 is one of transformation and renewal. Fasting, once associated with mourning and repentance, is now redefined as a time of joy and gladness, reflecting God's promise of restoration. 

For Christians today, this teaches us that while fasting can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth and repentance, it should ultimately lead to a deeper connection with God, joy, and a commitment to truth and peace. The communal aspect of seeking God and the inclusivity of nations underscore the universal call to worship and the importance of unity in faith.

 Through fasting, Christians can renew their dedication to God, experience His presence, and be a testimony to others of His grace and faithfulness.

A Heart Cry for Revival Prayers

 

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A Heart Cry for Revival Prayers

“Lord, Thou hast been favourable unto Thy land:  Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.  Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin.  Thou hast taken away all Thy wrath:  Thou hast turned Thyself from the fierceness of Thine anger.  Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause Thine anger toward us to cease.  Wilt Thou be angry with us for ever?  Wilt Thou draw out Thine anger to all generations?  Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?  Shew us Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation.  I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints; but let them not turn again to folly.  Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Him; that glory may dwell in our land.  Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.  Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.  Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.  Righteousness shall go before Him; and shall set us in the way of His steps” (Psa. 85:1-13).

A Heart Cry for Revival

1.Trembling for the Ark

“Now when he came, there was Eli, sitting on a seat by the wayside watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God.” (1 Samuel 4:13)

Prayer: Lord, let our hearts tremble with reverence for Your presence among us. May we always hold Your holy presence in awe and respect.

2.Move with God

“And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.” (1 Chronicles 13:3-4)

Prayer: Lord, guide us to move in step with Your will. May our actions be aligned with Your divine purpose.

3.Fill us and Shake us

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness...and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:31-33)

Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill us anew and shake us with Your power. Grant us boldness to speak Your word and testify of Your resurrection.

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4.Pray for Rain in this Season

“Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.” (Zechariah 10:1)

Prayer: Lord, we pray for a spiritual outpouring in this season. Let Your refreshing rain fall upon us, reviving our souls.

5.Our Hearts Pant for You

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God!” (Psalm 42:1)

Prayer: Lord, our souls thirst for You. Satisfy our longing hearts with Your presence.

6.Lord, We Are Hungry for You

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’” (John 7:37)

Prayer: Jesus, we come to You in our thirst. Fill us with Your living water and quench our spiritual hunger.

7.Bring God into the Battle

a.“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

b.“Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.” (Psalm 44:5)

Prayer: Lord, we bring You into our battles. Through Your power, we pull down strongholds and overcome our enemies.

8.A Heart Burdened for Revival

“No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:15)

Prayer: Lord, burden our hearts for revival. May we pour out our souls before You in earnest prayer.

9.Personal Holiness: Change Us, O God

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

 (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Prayer: Sanctify us wholly, Lord. Preserve our spirit, soul, and body blameless for Your coming.

10.God's Call to His People

“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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Prayer: Lord, we humble ourselves, pray, and seek Your face. Forgive our sins and heal our land.

11.Let the Church Believe and Rejoice Again

“Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6)

Prayer: Revive us, Lord. Let our hearts rejoice in You once more.

12.Our Only Hope Is Revival

“Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence—as fire burns brushwood, as fire causes water to boil—to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Your presence!” (Isaiah 64:1-2)

Prayer: Lord, come down and shake the heavens and the earth. Reveal Your name and let the nations tremble before You.

13.Face Set to Be Revived

a.“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” (Hosea 10:12)

b. “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh.” (Joel 2:28)

Prayer: Lord, we set our faces to seek You. Pour out Your Spirit upon all flesh and rain righteousness upon us.

May these prayers and scriptures ignite a heart cry for revival in our midst. 🙏🏼

HATE WHAT HE HATES

 

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HATE WHAT HE HATES

HATE WHAT GOD HATES

Psalm 5:5 (NKJV): "The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity."

Explainer Points:

•    God detests arrogance and sinfulness, showing that pride and wicked actions are contrary to His nature.
•    As believers, we should strive to distance ourselves from boastfulness and iniquity, aligning our values with God’s righteousness.

Psalm 11:5 (NKJV): "The LORD tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates."

Explainer Points:

•    God examines the hearts of the righteous and detests those who revel in violence and wickedness.
•    To be in harmony with God, we must reject violence and seek to cultivate peace and righteousness in our lives.

Proverbs 6:17 (NKJV): "A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,"

Explainer Points:

•   God despises pride, deceit, and the shedding of innocent blood, highlighting the severity of these sins.
•   Embracing humility, truthfulness, and protecting the innocent are ways we can reflect God’s heart.

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Proverbs 6:18 (NKJV): "A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,"

Explainer Points:

•    God abhors hearts filled with malicious intent and those who quickly pursue evil actions.
•   We must guard our hearts against wickedness and ensure our actions align with God’s principles of good.

Proverbs 6:19 (NKJV): "A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren."

Explainer Points:

•    Bearing false witness and sowing discord are detestable to God, as they undermine trust and unity.
•    Upholding truth and fostering harmony are essential in living a life that pleases God.

Proverbs 12:22 (NKJV): "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight."

Explainer Points:

•    God finds lying lips abominable, emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity.
•    Being truthful and trustworthy brings delight to God and reflects His character in our lives.

Conclusion:

1. Align with God's Values: Strive to align your life with the values and principles God upholds, rejecting what He hates and embracing what He loves.

2. Cultivate Righteousness: Pursue a life of righteousness, avoiding pride, deceit, violence, and wickedness.

3. Promote Peace and Unity: Work towards fostering peace and unity in your community, avoiding actions that cause division and discord.

4. Uphold Truth and Integrity: Embrace honesty and integrity in all aspects of your life, recognizing that these qualities are pleasing to God.

5. Guard Your Heart: Continuously guard your heart against evil intentions and actions, seeking to reflect God's holiness and love in your life.

By understanding and hating what God hates, we can grow closer to Him and live lives that reflect His goodness and righteousness.

Modern Day Ministry Leaders Who Fasted for Results

 

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Modern Day Ministry Leaders Who Fasted for Results

“Faith and fasting go together. We cannot minister the gift of faith, or have a superabundance of faith if our lives are undisciplined. The undisciplined man cannot keep priceless gifts; the treasure leaks away.”  David R. Smith

    "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:  gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders…Let the…ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare Thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them:  wherefore should they say among the people Where is their God?”

    "Then will the Lord be jealous for His land, and pity His people. Yea, the Lord will answer…I will remove far off from you the northern army…Be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things” (Joel 2:15-32).”

“Lo, I give you power over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19).

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J. G. Morrison says, "Every great leader who has moved his age mightily for God was a faster."

    Martin Luther was a weekly faster and God used him to lift the curtain of night that had hung over the world during the Dark Ages. Luther is criticized for fasting too rigorously, to the probable injury of his health, but he moved the world toward God.

    John Knox fasted regularly, and history shows he had power with God in prayer and prevailed with God and saved Scotland from the darkness of Catholicism.

    John Wesley fasted two days each week. The pioneering Methodists had two weekly fast days and were on fire for God. John Wesley says, "While we were at Oxford, the rule of every Methodist was to fast every Wednesday and Friday in the year in imitation of the primitive church.

    "Now the practice of the first disciples of our Lord was universally allowed. 'Who does not know,' says Epiphanius an ancient writer, 'that the fast of the fourth and sixth days of the week (Wednesday and Friday) are observed by Christians through the world?'

In Colonial days, Jonathan Edwards was a regular faster. It was under his ministry that sinners seized the pillars of the church and the backs of the seats under the mighty conviction of the Holy Spirit, feeling that they were in danger of dropping into hell. 

    Seth C. Rees, a successful soul winner, never attempted to hold meetings without appointing days of fasting.

Tradition says that the apostolic church fasted each Wednesday and Friday and broke their fast at 3 p.m. 

    God is calling His ministers and people to days and nights of fasting, protracted, persistent, believing prayer.

William Booth: Leader of the Salvation Army

Prayer and Fasting Life: William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, was known for his deep commitment to prayer and fasting. He believed that these spiritual disciplines were essential for maintaining a close relationship with God and for the success of his ministry. Booth often spent hours in prayer, seeking God's guidance and strength for his work. His dedication to prayer and fasting was a cornerstone of his leadership and played a significant role in the growth and impact of the Salvation Army.

William Seymour: Leader of the Azusa Street Revival

Early Life and Ministry: William Joseph Seymour was born on May 2, 1870, in Centerville, Louisiana, to former slaves. He became a prominent Holiness Pentecostal preacher and initiated the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles in 1906. This revival played a crucial role in the rise of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.

Prayer and Fasting Life: Seymour was also known for his intense prayer and fasting practices. Before the Azusa Street Revival began, Seymour spent a month in prayer and fasting, seeking God's presence and power. This period of spiritual preparation was instrumental in the revival's success and the widespread adoption of Pentecostal practices such as speaking in tongues and divine healing.

Both William Booth and William Seymour exemplified the power of prayer and fasting in their ministries, leading to significant spiritual movements and lasting impacts on Christianity.

By D. W. Reynolds

Fasting As Well As Prayer

    God is entreated and moved by fasting-prayer in a special way. I have received special help during days of fasting and prayer. It seems there is an entering into a closer fellowship and more intimate relationship with the Lord as a result of fasting.

    Faith is quickened and prayer is deepened until the soul grips the promises of God in a greater way. It has been my custom for some time to spend one entire day each week in prayer with fasting. Naturally I feel weak in my body but there is a special strength that comes as the result of gripping the promises of God, and most of all the soul is enriched with a new spiritual vigor.

    In this day of extreme need when the church in general is slipping and worldliness is swamping men's souls, and pulling them down to a lukewarm, defeated spiritual condition, we need a real revival of a return to intercession with fasting and prayer.

    If now every pastor will set apart one day each week for a full day of prayer with fasting for himself and people – as many as would enter into it – no doubt we would see a mighty strengthening of the people of God and a spiritual awakening that would save the nation from terrible doom, and would forward the kingdom of God on earth.

( D. W. Reynolds - Article taken from Herald of His coming @ https://heraldofhiscoming.org/index.php/347-past-issues/1994/sep94/3917-fasting-as-well-as-prayer-9-94)

 

Fasting: An Expression Of Humility By John A. Harvey

 

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Fasting: An Expression Of Humility

By John A. Harvey

    Fasting appears to be on the increase among earnest Christians. However, many seem to enter into this exercise without understanding its spiritual essence or value.

    If we fail to comprehend the type of fasting God chooses, we risk being of no effect like the New Testament Pharisees or guilty of fasting like the heathen.

    Fasting was used in the Old Testament as an aid to help a person humble himself before God. Ezra said, "I proclaimed a fast...that we might humble ourselves before our God" (8:21). The psalmist likewise spoke to the purpose of fasting: "I humbled my soul with fasting" (35:13). When Ahab responded to the prophet’s words of judgment by fasting and putting on sackcloth, God’s comment to Elijah was, "Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before Me?" (1 Kings 21:29).

    One of the Hebrew words that can be translated "fasting" can also be translated "humiliation," as in Ezra 9:5 NEB. Fasting is implied in the popular verse used so often as the key to revival, "If My people...shall humble themselves..." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

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    James, the New Testament writer who spoke with Old Testament flavor, likewise implied fasting when using the word humble. "Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up" (4:9-10).

    In time people became proud about their humility. During the days of His earthly ministry Jesus taught that fasting should be practiced in private instead of in public so as to maintain its essence of humbleness before God (Matthew 6:16-18). Fasting is nothing to be proud about; to the contrary, it is a demonstration of humility.

    That heresy of the Early Church period called Gnosticism encouraged fasting with an entirely different meaning. Since the Gnostics saw the body as evil, they looked to fasting as a tool to curb the appetites of the flesh. They felt that it assisted a person to become more holy and thus improved his standing with God. In Colossians 2:16-23 Paul challenged such thinking, concluding that it lacks "any value in restraining sensual indulgence." Yet the ascetic interpretation of fasting has remained with the church even to this day.

    Most Christians see fasting as meritorious in some mysterious way known only to God, and they fast expecting to move God accordingly. We should know better, for we can do nothing to earn a hearing with God. A theology of fasting, like every Christian practice, must be reconciled with the Pauline theology of grace.

    Jesus showed clearly in the story of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14) that no one gets anywhere with God by trying to earn favor through fasting--not even the proud Pharisee who fasted twice a week. Rather, it was the humble publican who got a hearing, whose attitude was more in keeping with the essence of fasting than the Pharisee’s.

    A question should be asked at this point. How does fasting aid in humbling us before God? The answer is found in understanding the Hebrew idea of mourning. To be in sorrow and grief was synonymous to being humbled. Joy related to glory and honor; mourning to humility.

    Therefore the whole exercise of humbling oneself before God was put into the context of grief. Sackcloth and ashes accompanied it. Even the tearing of clothes, pulling out of hair and beating of the breast. Weeping and howling were also common--anything that would demonstrate agony of heart. Daniel described his twenty-one-day fast as a time of mourning (10:2). So it was with David’s fast for his son’s illness (2 Samuel 12:15-20), and throughout the Old Testament.

    Fasting relates to mourning in that grief affects the appetite. It was not so much in the beginning of the custom a declaration of "I will not eat" but rather "I cannot eat." The truly despairing and concerned person is so occupied emotionally by the need at hand that food is forgotten. Therefore, as mourning is a part of humiliation, so also fasting becomes the way to express humility before God.

    In the New Testament fasting receives less emphasis, no doubt because mourning is in contrast to the lifestyle that the New Testament encourages. Jesus’ disciples did not fast, He said, because it was not appropriate to mourn in the presence of the Bridegroom (Matthew 9:14-15). Love, joy and peace are also more suitable than tears and grief for Christians since the Comforter has come.

    Nevertheless, there is still a place for fasting in the New Testament. Jesus fasted prior to beginning His ministry and in Acts 13 and 14 we see the apostles also fasting. In these cases their action was not an expression of the symbol (mourning), but of the purpose of fasting (humbling oneself before God) in order to be assured of God’s guidance.

    Whereas the command in the New Testament is to rejoice rather than to fast, there is still a place to "weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15). Paul also found himself fasting, but often it was more forced than voluntary (2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27).

    Certainly as we approach the day of the Lord, we too will find many more things to weep over. But even though mourning is not the New Testament thrust, humility is always in order. As fasting helps us to bend the knee before God, to that extent it is fitting.

For Spiritual Warfare

    Some writers suggest that fasting has a further value as a weapon of our spiritual warfare. It has been proved both by Scripture and in experience that God is moved by fasting when nothing else seems effective. Why is it that fasting has such power with God, especially if it is not meritorious in itself?

    The reason God responds to fasting is that He responds to the humble. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6). Many saints have said that it is our weakness that commends us to God, and fasting, if done properly, is an expression of our weakness.

    Our prayers are often said in the virtue of our own holy acts, and we need this periodic reminder that we are nothing but contaminated dust and ashes.

    To those who acknowledge their state and need, God is irresistibly drawn, and He answers their prayers. "He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted [humble]" (Psalm 9:12). "You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted [humble]; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry" (10:17).

    The power of fasting is found as we humble ourselves. It has no virtue in itself, no more than the water of baptism does. The heart attitude is all-important.

    Many have seen fasting to be effective in the lives of others, and then have tried it themselves, to no avail. They are like Gehazi, who tried to use Elisha’s staff on the Shunammite woman’s dead son to raise him up. The power lay not in the staff, but in the condition of the person using it.

    The same is true of fasting; it is not a divine gimmick. It is an outward evidence of an inward condition and an aid to expressing it.

    This is the essence of fasting: the concerned heart--yea, even the grieved soul--humbles itself before God, knowing that "the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17).

    – From Alliance Life, 12/26/79, the official magazine of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Used by permission. John A. Harvey is the regional director for Europe and the Middle East for the U.S. Christian and Missionary Alliance. 

Article seen on Herald of His Coming @ https://heraldofhiscoming.org/index.php/292-past-issues/1999/mar99/3348-fasting-an-expression-of-humility-3-99

God Rewards Genuine Fasting

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               God Rewards Genuine Fasting

1. Fasting with the Right Heart Attitude

 Matthew 6:17-18

Matthew 6:17-18: "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

•    Fasting should be done privately, not for show.
•    The focus is on a sincere relationship with God, not seeking approval from others.

 Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning

Joel 2:12-13: "'Now, therefore,' says the Lord, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.' So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm."

•    God desires genuine repentance and humility.
•    Fasting should be accompanied by heartfelt confession and turning away from sin.

"When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them

Jeremiah 14:12: "When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence."

•    Fasting without genuine repentance is ineffective; God seeks sincerity.

2. Fasting in Desperate Situations

2 Chronicles 20:3-4: "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord."

•  Fasting was proclaimed in response to a looming threat.
•  The community sought God's help together, demonstrating unity and dependence.

O our God, will You not judge them?

2 Chronicles 20:12: "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

•   Acknowledging helplessness and trusting in God's power leads to divine intervention.
•    God fought the battle for them, showcasing His mighty deliverance.

We might humble ourselves before our God

Ezra 8:21: "Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions."

•    Fasting for protection during a perilous journey.
•    It was an act of humbling themselves and seeking God's guidance and safety.

3. Receiving Encouragement and Guidance through Fasting

 2 Chronicles 20:14-17: "Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, 'Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!" Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.'"

•    God provided encouragement and clear instructions during fasting.
•    Emphasized that the battle belongs to God and they should not be afraid.
•    Assurance of God's presence and victory over challenges.

4. Fasting to Divert or Delay Judgment

Jonah 3:5-10: "So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, 'Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?' Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it."

•   The people of Nineveh fasted as a collective act of repentance.
•   Fasting was a sincere plea for God's mercy and a turning away from wickedness.
•   God responded to their genuine repentance and withheld destruction.

5. Gaining Deeper Revelation of God through Fasting

Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 20:6, 12, 20-21*

2 Chronicles 20:6: "and said: 'O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?'"

2 Chronicles 20:12: "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

2 Chronicles 20:20-21: "So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.' And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: 'Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.'"

1.   Fasting helps shift focus from self to God, recognizing His sovereignty and power.
2.   Encouragement to trust in God and praise Him for His enduring love.
3.    Fasting brings deeper understanding of God's nature and His unwavering support.

6. Encouragement for Fasting in Today's Context

1.  Emphasize the urgency and importance of seeking God through fasting.
2.  Highlight the need for brokenness over sin and a greater revelation of God's glory and power.
3.  Encourage sincere fasting for God's mercy, guidance, intervention, and presence.
4.  Jesus teaches that sincere fasting is rewarded by our Heavenly Father.

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God's Chosen Fast

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  God's Chosen Fast

 Isaiah 58:6-7 (KJV)

"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"

Five Spiritual Reasons to Fast

Spiritual Breakthrough: Fasting helps break strongholds and brings spiritual liberation.

Deepening Intimacy with God: It fosters a closer, more personal relationship with the Lord.

Guidance and Direction: Fasting aligns our hearts with God's will, making His guidance clearer.

Intercession for Others: It amplifies our prayers for others, bringing their needs before God.

Personal Renewal: Fasting leads to spiritual purification, renewing our minds and spirits.

 Characters and Their Fasting Stories

1. Praying Hyde

   - John Hyde, known as "Praying Hyde," was a missionary in India who became renowned for his powerful and fervent prayers. He often fasted and prayed for the salvation of souls, dedicating days and nights to intercession. His prayers resulted in numerous conversions and spiritual awakenings across India. Hyde's deep commitment to fasting and prayer exemplified his intense devotion to God and his mission. His fasting and prayer life led to many revivals and a profound impact on the Christian community in India.

2. John Knox

   - John Knox was a Scottish Reformer who fervently prayed and fasted for the reformation of the church in Scotland. He famously prayed, "Give me Scotland, or I die!" His prayers and efforts were instrumental in the establishment of Presbyterianism in Scotland. Through his fasting and intercession, Knox saw significant religious and political changes that aligned the nation more closely with Reformed principles. His relentless prayer and fasting showcased his unwavering faith and dedication to God's will for his country.

3. Rev. Franklin Hall

   - Rev. Franklin Hall was an American minister known for his teachings on fasting and prayer. He wrote extensively about the benefits of fasting in his book "Atomic Power with God through Fasting and Prayer." His concepts on fasting influenced many Christians to seek deeper spiritual experiences and divine power. Hall's teachings emphasized the importance of fasting for spiritual breakthroughs and miracles. His ministry saw many testimonies of healing and deliverance as a result of his teachings on fasting and prayer.

4. Oral Roberts

   - Oral Roberts was a well-known evangelist who fasted and prayed for the success of his ministry and the founding of Oral Roberts University. He believed in the power of prayer and fasting to achieve God's vision for his life. Through his dedication to fasting, Roberts saw tremendous growth in his ministry, including the establishment of a major university. His fasting and prayer life were integral to his success and the fulfillment of his God-given mission. His ministry impacted millions, emphasizing the importance of faith, healing, and education.

5. Lou Engle

   - Lou Engle is a modern-day prayer warrior known for his fasting and prayer initiatives, particularly The Call, a series of prayer and fasting gatherings. Engle's dedication to fasting has inspired thousands to join in intercessory prayer for revival and spiritual awakening in America. His efforts have led to significant movements of prayer and repentance across the nation. Engle's commitment to fasting and prayer has sparked spiritual renewal and unity among believers, emphasizing the power of collective intercession.

6. Pastor Jerry Falwell

   - Pastor Jerry Falwell was a prominent evangelical leader who fasted and prayed for the growth of his church, Thomas Road Baptist Church, and the establishment of Liberty University. His fasting and prayer were crucial in the rapid expansion and success of both institutions. Falwell's commitment to fasting demonstrated his reliance on God's guidance and provision. His ministry had a lasting impact on Christian education and the evangelical community in America.

7. Rev. Al Sharpton

   - Rev. Al Sharpton is a civil rights activist who has used fasting as a tool for social justice. He has fasted to bring attention to issues such as police brutality, racial injustice, and economic inequality. Sharpton's fasting and prayer have been a form of protest and a call for change, aligning his spiritual convictions with his activism. His efforts have raised awareness and prompted action on critical social issues, showcasing the power of fasting as a catalyst for justice and reform.

 Conclusion

Prayer and fasting are powerful spiritual disciplines that have shaped the lives and ministries of many individuals throughout history. From biblical figures like Daniel and Esther to modern-day leaders like Praying Hyde and John Knox, fasting has been a crucial tool for seeking God's intervention and guidance. These stories demonstrate that fasting is not just about abstaining from food; it is about drawing closer to God, seeking His will, and aligning our lives with His purpose. Whether it is for personal renewal, intercession for others, or social justice, fasting combined with prayer can lead to profound spiritual breakthroughs and divine answers. Let us embrace the discipline of fasting with the same fervor and faith as these remarkable individuals, trusting that God hears and answers our prayers.