WOW
Word of the Week
Dear Family,
I want to encourage you on the subject of fasting. It is probably one discipline in Christendom that is very much in the decline. The man, John Wesley, who coined, ” God does nothing except in response to believing prayer” had an avid fasting life.
Charles Yrigoyen, Jr., in John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life writes:
“Wesley was convinced that fasting, abstaining from food or drink, was a practice firmly grounded in the Bible. People in Old Testament times fasted (Ezra 8:23). So did Jesus and his followers (Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:3), and Wesley saw no reason why modern Christians should not follow the same pattern. His plan of fasting sometimes allowed for limited eating and drinking. He found that fasting advanced holiness.” John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life copyright © 1996 Charles Yrigoyen, Jr., p. 33.
We have been praying fervently, we now need to add an extra strength to it. Jesus said in Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. There are some things that will only be resolved by the addition of fasting. Below is an excerpt from Dr Glenn Arekion’s book, “The power of prayer and fasting”. I think it will help us to go to the next level.
(Used by permission)
The Word of God is full of examples of people who prayed and fasted and changed their situations for the better. We know from Scriptures that Moses was a man of fasting as well as Elijah, Daniel and Esther to name a few. We also see that Jesus, Peter and Paul were also men who fasted. These were people who had power with God and therefore they had power over life’s problems.
Let’s look at some of the benefits of fasting:
1. Fasting turns you to the Lord
Joel 2 :12; “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:”
Many times in our Chrisitian life, we are going in our own direction and not following the path of God. Fasting will put us back on the right track.
2. Fasting humbles you
Psalm 35:13; “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting…..”
I have discovered that there’s just as much pride in the lives of believers as there is in unbelievers. God hates pride. The Apostle James said in his epistle that “God resists the proud but he gives grace to the humble.” Therefore when you are walking in pride God himself will resist you but when you humble yourself, you position yourself to receive from God. Fasting which humbles you positions you to receive the grace or favour of God.
3. Fasting opens a door of abundance to you
Joel 2:15,19; “Blow the trumpet in Zion, santify a fast, call a solemn assembly…Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people, Behold I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith….”
Fasting shuts the door of poverty and opens a door of blessings to you. Many of God’s people are struggling with a spirit of poverty and debt but when you tap into the power of fasting you will break free from their bondages and be a blessing to the body of Christ as the heir of Abraham.
I encourage you to fast one day this week and see those great benefits. God Bless you
Pastor Bruno
