Day 129

A Time to Fast

“And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” Mark 9:29.

A fast usually means to abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink. It means self-denial. When the Dr. tells us to fast we always dread the thoughts don't we? We are use to picking up a drink or snack anytime we like. Food companies have made it easy to slip a snack pack in our purse so we have easy access to it any time. We are not use to doing without, so it is hard to wrap our minds around the need to fast for spiritual reasons.

Fasting can actually benefit us physically as we cleanse our systems of all intake and remove the buildup of toxins to be removed. Spiritual fasting can have the same cleansing effect as we allow His Word to purge us of sin such as: wrong attitudes, pride, a critical spirit, a lying tongue, gossip, jealousy, as well as many others. Repent and confess anything God shows you is between you and Him. Restore that relationship so that you can then pray on behalf of others.

Maybe God is calling you aside to a time of fasting today. Maybe you need a break through in a decision you need to make or to get a new sense of direction. His Word sayswhen you fast, not if you do. Allow Him to show you what you need to fast from. Choose something that you may have made a priority in your life. It should be something that cost you, something that is a true sacrifice to you. It can also be things other than food such as, TV, the internet, sports, your reading materials, relationships, or it can be setting aside a specific time to be alone with the Lord by pulling away from the demands of everyday life and responsibilities.

As we look at the whole context of our passage we see it is dealing with the healing of a boy with evil spirits. In verse 29 Jesus told the disciples that, “this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting”. Let's make the choice to fast and pray for our prodigal's, for our nation, for a lost family member or friend, or for the person on the street without Christ. As you fast spend that time on your knees on behalf of these needs with God's Word as your guide as you talk with your Abba Father. Let's be found standing in the gap on behalf of those who can't. Fasting and prayer can break the yoke of bondage and bring about a release of God's presence, power, and provision.