Fasting is a Game Changer!

Jesus says to the disciples in Matthew 17:20-21, “Because of your [e]unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 [f]However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

In any relationship, good communication is the secret sauce to keep people connected and the same is true of your relationship with God. He is honored when you share bold and specific prayers, no matter how small or big you think they are. Prayer connects you with God while fasting disconnects you from the world. Fasting weakens your flesh, awakens your spirit and will accelerate your relationship with God. Fasting allows you to humble yourself, your soul, before God by denying yourself something that every day you’re having to say no to and yes to God.

We are going to see God do remarkable things throughout the church as a response to us humbling ourselves and committing to prayer. Spending 21 days in prayer and fasting will reverse the effect of the world on you, will ratchet up your prayer life and allow you to hone in on your connection with God. 


Scripture References

Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Matthew 17:14-21, Luke 18: 9-14, Acts 27:33-37, Nehemiah 9:1-3

Types of Fasting

This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.

In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.

This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.

This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.

Prayer and Fasting

Learn more about our Northview family joining together in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting Download our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting Devotional