“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:2-3, NKJV).
Fasting and prayer are portals for revelatory encounters. Revelatory encounters are those special moments wherein God unveils His secrets to His children whose minds are set on Him. The times of fasting and prayer provide great opportunities for believers to set their minds on God and give Him all the necessary attention. The leaders of the church at Antioch saw the time of fasting and prayer as an auspicious opportunity to minister to the Lord. It is not just a time of abstaining from eating and drinking but more importantly a time to give God as much undivided attention as one can muster to listen to Him and fellowship with Him. The time of fasting is not a time of pursuing our pleasures but rather a time of pursuing God’s pleasure by engaging in those things that please Him. Since you embarked on the current fast, have you paused for a moment to find out what about you that pleases God, or what adjustments He wants you to make in your lifestyle and character?
The time of fasting is not a time of pursuing our pleasures but rather a time of pursuing God’s pleasure.
Ministering to God through fasting and prayers must include intentional adjustments in our accustomed way of doing things to reflect His standards. When those adjustments are not giving attention to, it renders our fasting impotent and of little or no edifying essence. God clearly defined what He accepts as proper fasting and what He does not accept. First, fasting that is at variance to the following will not impress God: “Why is it that when we fasted, you did not see it? We starved ourselves, and you didn’t seem to notice.’ “Because on the day you fasted you were seeking only your own desires, and you continue to exploit your workers. During your fasts, you quarrel and fight with others and strike them with an angry fist. When you fast like that, your voice will not be heard on high. Do you think I’m impressed with that kind of fast? Is it just a day to starve your bodies, make others think you’re humble, and lie down in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call that a fast? Do you think I, Yahweh, will be pleased with that?”-Isaiah 58:3-5, TPT. I will strongly advise that you don’t be in a rush to leave this point. Consider the issues that God raised here critically and adjust yourself accordingly.
Having stated clearly what He does not like in our fasting, He equally sets out before us in plain language what He expects from us when we fast. Now listen to Him: “This is the kind of fast that I desire: Remove the heavy chains of oppression! Stop exploiting your workers! Set free the crushed and mistreated! Break off every yoke of bondage! Share your food with the hungry! Provide for the homeless and bring them into your home! Clothe the naked! Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood! Then my favour will bathe you in sunlight until you are like the dawn bursting through a dark night. And then suddenly your healing will manifest. You will see your righteousness march out before you, and the glory of Yahweh will protect you from all harm! Then Yahweh will answer you when you pray. When you cry out for help, he will say, ‘I am here…”-Isaiah 58:6-9,TPT. It is very easy to discern from the above that our Father intensely desires that we benefit maximally from the dedicated exercise of fasting. His loving heart pulsates with overwhelming longing for our good and wellness. Hence, He has taken time to explain His personal expectations to us. How do you respond to this? The way you respond to these expressed desires of God will set the benchmark for the benefits you will derive from the exercise. When fasting is done for God, it must be done in His way. Fast in line with God’s prescriptions and you will be abundantly blessed in Jesus’ name.
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