The Power of Bible Fasting by Ernest Angley

 
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). There are many who feel Biblical fasting is unnecessary because Jesus paid for all at Calvary. This, however, is not according to the Word of the Lord. The Bible teaches fasting for all God’s people; never will you have real power with God unless you fast.
In Matthew, the ninth chapter, we read that John’s disciples came to Jesus asking why they fasted while Jesus’ disciples did not. Jesus answered, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. After Jesus was taken from them, His disciples did fast.
It is recorded in Mark 9 that a father brought his son, who was possessed by a devil, to the disciples. They were not able to deliver the boy, but Jesus was. Later, the disciples wanted to know why they could not cast out the devil. They were told by Jesus that this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). In my services the sick are healed by the numbers, devils are cast out. How is it done? Through fasting, prayer and living in the Word.

They Fasted in Old Testament Days

In Exodus, the thirty-fourth chapter, it is recorded that Moses did not eat for forty days and nights. He was on the mount with God and lived right in His mighty presence. When Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone (verse 30). Fasting truly brings one into the glory of the Lord!
Elijah, in I Kings 19:1-8, ran from the enemy and went a day’s journey into the wilderness. Twice an angel served him food, and then he ate nothing for forty days and nights. In the power and strength of the Lord he traveled 150 miles to the mount of God. If you want to reach the mount of God, fasting will help you do it.
We read of Daniel’s fast of twenty-one days in Daniel 10:2,3: I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth. Then in the twelfth verse we read of an angel saying this about Daniel: from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. Daniel’s prayer, backed up by the power of fasting, was answered.
In Esther 4:16, Esther sent word to Mordecai, asking him and all the Jews to fast three days and nights while she and her maidens did likewise. She then went in before the king and won deliverance for her people.
The people of Ninevah fasted and God spared the entire city, saving over 120,000 souls (Jonah 3:5-10).

Christ, Our Example

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered (Luke 4:1,2). True Biblical fasting brings the anointing of God. In verse 18 Jesus cries, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me. After fasting forty days, Jesus began to heal the sick, cast out devils and perform many mighty miracles. As the Son of God He did not need to fast, but as the Son of man He fasted to show us how we can have power with God over all devils.

The Early Church Fasted

They ministered to the Lord, and fasted (Acts 13:2). Men of God fasted and then carried out the command of the Lord. In Acts 9:9-17, Paul fasted for three days after his conversion; then he not only received his sight but also was filled with the Holy Ghost. Paul, in II Corinthians 11:27, was…in fastings often. Paul recommended periods of fasting and prayer (I Corinthians 7:5).

When to Fast

God honors any sacrifice we make for Him and He does not set down rigid rules of contacting Him. Fast with a definite purpose. Don’t fast just for the sake of fasting, but fast for the purpose of contacting God about a definite concern. The fast may be short or long: there are things we receive from God on a short fast while other prayers are answered only by a long fast. Your fast should always edify you and glorify God, for when it fails to do so it is not the kind of fast God wants. Use the wisdom God has given you.