Fasting Is Our Weapon

After reading Beth Coppedge's letter last Friday inviting you to pray and fast this week Tuesday through Thursday, people responded from around the U.S. as well as other countries. Saturday one lady wrote, "Since I made the commitment to prayer the three days next week (and I will be fasting, just drinking water and fruit juice those three days), the Lord has been so near and so precious to me. God is calling women everywhere to bow the knee and cry out to Him."

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4 NKJV). One of those weapons God gives is fasting combined with fervent prayer. When a man who was seeing many miracles happen in Africa was asked his secret, he responded that it was simple. Just fasting and prayer. Prayer aligned with fasting puts a "cutting edge" to our prayer lives because it indicates an intense desire for God.

The moment we approach Jesus, the first thing he gauges is our desire. Denying ourselves food makes a powerful statement. He knows that if we omit food and pray, we are in earnest. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16).

In Luke 4:1 Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit, but after his fast, He was empowered by the Spirit. "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit" (Lk. 4:14). After His time of fasting, He had more power with God and more power with people.

While fasting you will be treading on holy ground accomplishing far more than you know. Satan is terrified and will object! He will seek to convince you that nothing is being done. Ignore his lies and continue as you planned. Despite hunger, headaches, the "blahs," more tension at home, extra busyness, difficulty in focusing on prayer, know that your self-denial will be rewarded.

"When you fast...your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matt. 6:16, 18). Thank You, Father, for this promise.