FASTING

January 14^th, 2026.

Every human creature knows there is a greater power in the universe, and from all ages there has been a craving or a need for all human spirituals to seek that which is eternal.

-This is why every religion, practice prayer, either to a god or animal, but they pray.

-It’s a command for us  as Christians to pray, so prayer to every believer is essential.

- You will find that prayer is mostly taught and least practiced in the world today, we heard the statistics that pts. gave the other day.

-Prayer is the smallest meeting in our churches, everywhere in the world. Why?

Answer is, because people pray and they don’t get result.

James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

-There are spiritual laws by which God functions, and he uses them to keep order and to bring us closer to him. God tells us when you pray believe that you have received and it shall be yours,

Mark 11:24Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

-Prayer is an important key of the kingdom.

-Fasting is the greatest tool in prayer, when you mix prayer and fasting the results are tremendous.

-Now let’s talk about fasting.

EZRA 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that has been practiced by believers throughout the ages. It is a powerful means of drawing closer to God, seeking His guidance, and expressing humility. In this study, we will explore the nature of fasting and the different types, and their implications or how they influence our spiritual walk of faith.

The season of fasting is essential in restoring and strengthening our intimacy with God.

-This is far beyond, obtaining from physical, gratification, and seeking an intentional focus and intentional time of reading the word of God, and meditation.

-For any believer who wants to grow, to exploit his or her full potential must be a man of prayer and fasting.

Believers I want to tell you, that you can fast and miss it, if you are not hungry enough and desperate enough for God.

-          It is the hunger and a deep desperation for God that will keep you focused, and off things that are good and pleasing to seek to stay purposeful and structured for the eternal.

What is fasting? Fasting involves setting aside physical gratification or fulfilment to achieve spiritual wellbeing^.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Fasting is one’s denial

-Fasting in its call is abstaining from food and other pleasures for a period to focus on God and spiritual matters.

- Fasting is a spiritual discipline or consecration secrets-The period of fasting you disconnect with social media noise to hear from God.

There is nothing that accelerates the purpose of God like fasting.

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

The commissioning of Apostles was through a word of spirit utterances coz believers had consecrated themselves in fasting and prayer.

-Over the years in ministry, I have seen God do great miraculous deeds through fasting, and that’s why I was begun by telling you that fasting is a very important tool in prayer.

WHAT DOES FASTING DO TO A BELIEVER

Fasting breaks you to a position of total obedience and brokenness

Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a Broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Contrite spirit- A state of deep humility, sincere remorse for wrongdoing and a sincere resolve to live righteously.

Fasting enhances increased sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

Ezra 8:23 Owe fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Fasting will bring spiritual Growth and Closer Relationship with God.

Creates Hunger for God-Fasting is a body language of telling God I need you more than food.

You shift focus from physical appetite to spiritual hunger for God’s presence.

Fasting Disciplines the Flesh- The desires of the body are weakened

Fasting will strengthen your prayer life

Fasting is a tool in spiritual warfare

Jesus said,” However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FAST

1. Partial Fast (Daniel Fast). Daniel 10:3  I ate no ^[a]pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

This involves abstaining from certain foods or from food during certain times of the day, for the purpose of prayer

Daniel 1:8 ⁸ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

-When there are delays, to the prophetic declarations over your life this is a kind of prayer you can engage in. Many pray these days to seek understanding and revelation.

2. Complete Fast (Water Only). Ezra 8:21

This a fast most people do by the revelation of the Holy Spirit and in line of what you want God to do for you

Acts 27:33-34 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. ³⁴ Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair falls from the head of any of you.

1 Samuel 31:13 Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh and fasted seven days.

NB/ The maximum man can go is 40 days according to the Bible, and this mostly many who go for it is under direct call for ministerial appointment.

Moses before God for 40 days and nights to receive the commandment. Exodus 34:28 ^So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ^[a]Ten Commandments.

3. Absolute or Dry Fast (Esther 4:16) Go, gather all the Jews who are present in ^[a]Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so, I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

Fasting in various length and forms, serves diverse purposes, and more reflecting on believers’ commitment and burning desire to seeking God’s, will and preparation before undertaking significant actions or making great decisions.

Weather it’s 40 days like Moses, 21 days like Dniel, 14 days like Paul, 7 days like David or 3 days like Esther and the Ninevites, each underscores the importance of fasting as a period of consecration unto God.

May the God of all grace, give you enough grace to crown this month with prayer and fasting as you entreat the presence of God.