The Hidden Power of Fasting

The Lord spoke to Mahesh Chavda and his wife about calling their church to a twenty-one day fast. They asked the people to come together at 5:00 am for two hours each morning. Only a handful of people showed up the first two mornings.

At the mid-week service one man said, "The Lord told me, 'I am here, where are my people?'" The next few nights children started waking up and telling their parents to go to the church for the prayer meeting. Eventually a crowd of 200 people came to pray and began fasting. A revival came to the church that lasted for weeks. Many lives were transformed.

In his journal, John Wesley tells about a group of Methodists who had little spiritual life. They agreed to fast every week. After the first week Wesley said, "God broke in upon them in a wonderful manner; His work has increased ever since." Neighboring societies heard and followed their example with the same result.

Wesley concluded: "To neglect this specific duty (I mean fasting, ranked by our Lord with almsgiving and prayer) is one reason for deadness among Christians. Can anyone willingly neglect it without guilt?"

He told those who wanted to be Methodist preachers to fast at least twice a week. Perhaps that is why they maintained the spirit of revival for over fifty years.

Dear Jesus, as we pray for a spiritual awakening, give desires and motivation to fast.