Saturday, March 19, 2016
Sharron’s Devotional: Prayer & Fasting
“Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” Andrew Murray
I have chosen a fast that is different from any other that I have committed to in the past. While I have done the Daniel fast, a 48-hour water fast, and a couple of 40 day fasts (one on fruit juices, one limited fresh fruits and vegetables/juices), each one took me to new levels in my walk with the Lord. I felt the purpose of a fast was to draw us closer to the Father, and seek His will and gain spiritual understanding in our many faceted lives. But this time as I prayed over the various fasts that are available (listed below for your consideration), I began to understand that the fast I was to undertake was this fast listed in Isaiah 58: 6-9. (KJV)
Aim: Purpose
Affirmation: God's support and encouragement
Vow: Your Promise or Commitment
Bible basis: Scriptural Support
Bible Promise: God's Word
· God’s Fast Choice – Isaiah 58:6 is not this the fast that I have chosen? Aim: To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Vow: Isa 58:7 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? Affirmation: Isa 58:8 then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. Isa 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; Bible basis: Isaiah 58:1-14 (listed below for your convenience, which see. Bible Promise: Isa 58:10 and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday
· Esther Fast – Aim: for protection from the evil one, because I believe God loves me, and can protect me and that only God controls the day of my death, I pledge to enlist His protection against all opposing forces. I also believe there is an evil one who would attack me and harm me (1 Peter 5:8), therefore I vow to fast for God’s protection for me and others, that I might serve him and bring glory to him. (Eph. 6:12) Bible basis: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen… the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard Isaiah 58:6,8
· Saint Paul Fast – Aim: for wisdom and decision making. I will delight myself in the Lord so that my desire becomes what He wants in this decision (Ps. 37:4). Vow: I will seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in my life so I can follow His principles in analyzing and making a decision (Matt.6:33). I will seek the Lord for His answer to the problem. I am fasting because I want to make the best decision and be in the center of His will (Rom.12:1,2) Bible basis: And [Saul] was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank” (Acts 9:9)
· Widow’s fast – Aim: for diverting funds to meet the needs of others. Vow: Lord, I vow to fast and pray according to the following outline on behalf of the specific people named. During the fast I commit myself to giving the funds that would normally provide my food to you through an agency of directly to the needy. Bible basis: 1 King 17
· John Baptist Fast – Aim: to expand and increase my testimony to Jesus Christ through John the Baptist for testimony and influence. Vow: I will be free of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and any influence that destroys my testimony because I want Christ to be magnified in my body (Phil. 1:20) I will be sexually pure for my life-partner, because I want my body to be the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Bible basis: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” Matt.5:16
· Ezra Fast – Aim: Solving a problem through the Ezra fast. Vow: I will examine all facts to understand the problem and will ask God to give me insight into its causes and solution. After I have followed all the principles God has shown me, and have done everything I can do to solve the problem, I will accept the results within the providence of God. Romans 8:28. Bible basis: To fast and petition our God about the problem, asking Him to answer our prayer. Ezra 8:23
· Elijah Fast – Aim: for breaking negative mental and emotional habits. [Note: Elijah fasted for 40 day without food or water – you must be absolutely certain of God’s will in choosing this extreme fast, as only God can sustain someone without food/water for this lengthy fast]. Affirmation: I believe in the power of God over the whole person, spirit, soul and body (1 Thess.5:23). I believe that “he has given us not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind” 2 Tim. 1:7. Vow: God being my strength, and grace being my basis, I commit myself to the Elijah Fast for building godly character, to the glory of God. ’Bible basis: 1 Kings 19. Bible Promise: “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’. So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.” Heb. 13:5,6
· Disciple’s fast – Aim: Achieving freedom from addiction, or from a besetting sin. Affirmation: I believe there is no earthly temptation that can enslave me but that God has a way of escape for me. 1 Cor.10:13. I believe in the power of the blood of Christ and in the strength of the name of Christ. Acts 3:16; 16-18. Therefore, I am fasting because I want the Son of God to make me free indeed. John 8:36. Vow: God being my strength, and grace being my basis, I commit myself to the disciple’s fast outlined here (foods from which I shall abstain…). Bible basis: “To loose the bands of wickedness” Isaiah 58:6.
· Samuel Fast – Aim: for revival and soul winning. Affirmation: I believe in the power of God to revive individuals and people (Ps. 85:6). I believe God will pour himself out on his people (Acts 2:17) and send times of refreshing from his presence (Acts 3:19). I believe when people humble themselves, pray, seek God’s renewal and turn from their wicked ways, God will respond (Chron. 7:14). Therefore I will fast and pray for revival and soul winning. Vow: God being my strength, and grace being my basis, I commit myself to the Samuel fast for God’s glory. Bible basis: 1 Samuel 7:2-11. Bible promise: “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 will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin ad heal their land”. 2 Chron. 7:14.
· Daniel Fast – Aim: is for health and healing. Specifically I am fasting to: (list specifically your needs and desires). [Daniel fasted all pleasant foods for 21 days, seeking understanding of God’s Word]. Vow: I believe God has given me my physical, mental and emotional nature in which to glorify Him. Therefore, I renew my pledge to honor Him in every area of my life (1 Cor. 10-31). I believe sickness is a result of our first parents’ sin, and I renew my faith in the daily cleansing from sin available through Christ’s blood (1 John 1:7). I believe in Jehovah Rapha that following His principles will give me health and that He can heal sickness; Therefore, I commit myself to God’s healing/health and will fast and pray for it. Bible basis: “Is not this the fast I have chosen… your healing shall spring forth speedily”. Isaiah 58:6, 8. Bible promise: “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up”. James 5:15.
Isaiah 58 Fast Complete context reference: (KJV)
· Isaiah 58:1-14 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
· Isa 58:2 yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
· Isa 58:3 wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
· Isa 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
· Isa 58:5 is it such a fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
· Isa 58:6 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?
· Isa 58:7 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?
· Isa 58:8 then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.
· Isa 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
· Isa 58:10 and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
· Isa 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
· Isa 58:12 and they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.
· Isa 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
· Isa 58:14 then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
When choosing a fast, let the Holy Spirit guide you to the type of fast, foods or things to give up, and length of time your fast should be. He will confirm it to you if you allow Him to do so. Be patient, He will answer and direct your fast to be the one He needs you to do, as He knows your needs before you even ask.
