Fasting is a spiritual exercise found throughout scripture. Great men and women of God fasted at different points in their lives and ministries and the results were breakthroughs, answers, strategies, and a closer walk with God. Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Esther, Daniel,& Jesus all fasted. I’m sure fasting was a routine often exercised by these powerful men and women of God who saw mighty moves of the spirit in their journey.

See fasting is simply pushing something away (often it’s food) to spend that extra time with God and in His Word. It is saying “no” to the flesh and putting a focus on the spirit man within us. Fasting is actually feasting! When we say “no” to the routine and spend more time with God we began to feed the spirit which becomes more sensitive to God’s voice and heartbeat. I remember a season I needed absolute direction! I needed some answers and I wrote down my questions to God. I went on a 21 Day Fast and God supernaturally answered all my questions during that time. One answer came through the preacher. Another from a Christian book I was reading at the time. Another came in my heart while I was praying. One morning, I was reading the Bible and the answer was right before me. Fasting unlocks spiritual doors for answers and insight.

As you fast and seek the Lord you begin to get the “cutting edge” anointing flowing in your life. For example; one who cuts down trees (especially in the old days) would have to take time to stop and sharpen his axe to keep sharp to make greater impact. The time spent sharpening the axe would actually save him time in the long run trying to cut down and log trees with a dull axe. Fasting with praying is sharpening your spirit. It’s taking time and sacrificing to become more keen to the things of the spirit.

As you continue to fast, I want to remind you that you are digging a ditch and God will fill it! What is it that you are needing God to do? What area of you life do you need the grace of God to overshadow you? As you fast, have faith to know that God sees and hears! Your breakthrough is on the way!

Many of the things that I will write will be from Pastor Jentezen Franklin’s book, “Fasting”. Pastor Franklin has incredible insight and revelation on this topic. God has done miraculous things in his church and ministry that literally impacts the globe today.  Jentezen shares that his church’s annual fast is the key to the many breakthroughs and miracles they have experienced.

Here are some phrases and points from his book:

-“Fasting has been the secret to obtaining open doors, miraculous provision, favor, and the tender touch of God upon my life and our church.”

-“When I feel myself growing dry spiritually, when I don’t feel the cutting edge anointing, or when I need a fresh encounter with God, fasting is the secret key that unlocks Heaven’s doors and slams shuts the gates of hell.”

-“(Concerning the Holy Spirit) there are things that we desire more than food.”

-“When you eliminate food from your diet for a number or whatever God puts on your heart to fast, your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God.”

-Jesus provided the pattern by which we should live our lives in Matthew 6. He said, “when you give, when you pray, and when you fast…” The believer is to have a lifestyle of giving, praying, and fasting.

-“Jesus fasted because He knew that there were supernatural things that could only be released that way.”

As you begin your fast, be sure to write down the things that you are believing God to do in your life. Be specific, have faith, pray, and trust the Lord. Also, pray for DPC as we are believing for these items:

1. Greater anointing/thicker Presence of God in our services
2. Favor in our city (doors of opportunity for us to do ministry)
3. more souls to come to Jesus in salvation
4. A Building or right opportunity to open up for us to have a permanent home
5. finances to increase (people will step out in faith of tithing)
6. Leadership development

I will write more about fasting each day so check back tomorrow!