Top 12 Reasons to Fast

1. Jesus told us to fast (Matthew 6:16) “when ye fast, …”

2. Jesus is our #1 example to follow, and He fasted • Matthew 4 explains that Jesus fasted for 40 days.  After His fast, Jesus had incredible power and anointing to resist temptation and begin a ministry filled with astonishing miracles.

3. Fasting brings us closer to God and God's Glory, than anything else • There are 3 recorded 40 day fasts in the Bible:  Elijah, Moses, and Jesus.  It is also interesting to note that these 3 had extremely powerful ministries filled with astonishing miracles.  After fasting 40 days, Moses’ face shone so bright with God's Glory, the children of Israel were afraid of him (Exodus 34:28-30)

4. Fasting helps to give you GOD'S PURPOSE AND DIRECTION for your life.  Fasting BRINGS FRESH REVELATION from God and the Holy Spirit (During his 40 day fast, Moses was given the 10 Commandments).  Pray for God’s will, direction, and wisdom as you fast.  He will lead you to the steps you need for your goals and dreams to become a reality.

5. Fasting helps to produce tremendous Holy Spirit ANOINTING & POWER for miracles, blessings, and breakthroughs.  Fasting increases your WILLPOWER, which empowers and strengthens you to yield your will to God's will.

6. Fasting brings HEALTH & HEALINGS, and produces tremendous physical benefits – Fasting cleanses and heals your body, promotes weight loss, eliminates toxins, clears your mind, beautifies your complexion (once the toxins are gone), slows your aging process, increases your likelihood of living longer, and much more!

7. Fasting brings FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGHS.  The closer you get to God, the more you will think big like God thinks.  His ideas will begin to flow through you.  One good idea from God can change your financial future forever.

8. Fasting brings DELIVERANCE!  Fasting breaks the yoke of addictions, temptations, burdens, bondages, and bad habits (Isaiah 58:6).  Quoting God’s Word and Fasting are the 2 most powerful WEAPONS against the devil.  Luke 4 tells the story of Jesus fasting 40 days.  After His fast, He was full of the power of the Spirit.  Jesus quoted God’s words and defeated satan’s plans of temptation.  Some might think fasting is painful, but being defeated by satan is even more painful.

9. Fasting REMOVES MOUNTAINS that prayer and faith alone may not remove (mountains could be anything holding you back from God’s will or blessings) * After Jesus performed a major deliverance, His disciples asked, “why couldn’t we cast him out?” Jesus answered in Matthew 17:20-21, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.  (21)  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

10. Fasting brings the greatest UNITY AND BLESSINGS to any group of people who fast together.  Major personal and church-wide miraculous testimonies have been given for those groups dedicated to fasting.

11. The Greatest REVIVALS, reformations, and spiritual awakenings in U.S. & Christian History have come from fasting.

Examples:

• Jonathan Edwards led the great awakening.  He was so weak from fasting, he had to support himself to stand up and preach.  But, the Holy Ghost anointing on him was so strong that entire cities got saved at once.

• Azusa Street – one of greatest of all US revivals – began in prayer & fasting.

• The great United States presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln proclaimed many days of Nationwide prayer and fasting that helped the Nation achieve VICTORY through the toughest times.

12. Fasting PRODUCES FAITH and reliance on Jesus, instead of faith and reliance on food:

John 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me  shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me hall never thirst.

John 7:38-39  He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (39)  (But this spake he of the Spirit, …)