Fasting – One of Your Most Powerful Weapons
By Stovall Weems
As part of our participation in the One Prayer Series this month, we are setting aside today as a day of prayer and fasting. Each time we have days/seasons of fasting here at Celebration Church, we always hear powerful stories of how God moves in people’s lives.
Fasting is one of our most powerful weapons. As we shut down our natural appetite, our spiritual appetite is opened up, and we are put more in tune with God. Fasting is all about alignment. We don’t fast to get God to do something. We fast to align ourselves in faith with what God already wants to do. Prayer becomes alive when you fast. I have never been on a fast where I did not want to pray, and I actually find myself praying constantly when fasting.
Fasting is also the quickest way to break out of a spiritual rut of lukewarmness, and get back into a routine of spiritual discipline. Our hearts get on fire for God again, and prayer and Bible reading become much more of a “want to” than a “have to”.
How has fasting helped you in your relationship with God?
Scripture References: Matthew 17:20-21; Matthew 6:17-18; Hebrews 11:6; Isaiah 58:8-12
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5 Responses to “Fasting – One of Your Most Powerful Weapons”
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Thanks for your insight on the benefits of fasting. I am learning that this is not just to be a seasonal event in my Christian walk.
There is a great devotional on OnePrayer today by Jentezen that accompanies your thoughts.
Blessings,
John 6:63
My husband, Thad Irvin, passed away on March 23rd of this year. He battled cancer valiantly and in the end won the battle because he now is with our true father.
I wanted to share Thad’s perspective on fasting….
Prior to his passing, Thad and I participated in the 21 days of fasting. We were both hoping for a full recovery but when we prayed we always worded the prayer “God’s will to be done”. Thad’s one wish was to touch people’s lives like Jesus did and if his battle with cancer brings even one person to know God like he knew God then anything he had to endure was worth the suffering.
During his 1 month stay in the hospital, we shared our story with many nurses, future nurses, doctors, orderlies and even other patient’s & their families. Everyone wanted to be our “attendants” because we were such an uplifting group. And it continues even though Thad is no longer with me, I share our story with everyone and anyone who will listen. I know someone somewhere has been touched and has changed his/her perspective on God because of what we have gone through…and I give all the Glory to God.
Our fasting brought us so much closer to God and in turn we were given the right words to say to share our story to encourage instead of discourage people to have a relationship of their own with God.
For me fasting is like working out. At first it seems so hard, but as you keep it up the results you get are your biggest motivation to keep going. I am glad to be a part of this church and all that it does.
PASTOR STOVALL! I want to thank you so much for having a heart for the youth of Celebration Church! If it wasn’t for you and the big man upstairs, we wouldn’t have the amazing youth and the awesome things we do! I’m thankful that all of these churches are partnering with us in the “One Prayer” series. It was great to share with them at Panama City this weekend! So many lives were impacted. Submerge camp was an amazing experience and I want to thank you and Pastor Kerri for making it happen!
I am united in fasting and praying today for our World Leaders. I love my church and thank God for allowing me the opportunity to find Celebration.
Derrick J. Rodriguez, Esq.