Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?  - Isaiah 58:5

Why should I fast? Are you in need of healing or a miracle? Do you need the tender touch of God in your life? Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible? Are you in need of a fresh encounter? Do you desire a deeper, more intimate, and powerful relationship with the Lord? Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God? Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage? Do you have a friend or loved one that needs Salvation? Do you desire to know God’s will for your life?

On January 13th, the Lighthouse Freedom Center begins its 21-day corporate fast. What a way to start the New Year, by devoting 21 days to the Lord with fasting and prayer! There are some reasons listed above as to why we should fast, and I believe everyone in the church desires something from that list.

So what does the Bible have to say about fasting? Mathew 6:17-18, “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Notice, Jesus didn’t say if you fast; He said when you fast. Then He says it’s something you do not before men but something you do before your Father in heaven, and when the Father sees you, He will reward you openly. We are not fasting for nothing; we are fasting for the reward from heaven. Fasting is not about controlling God; fasting is about putting you into position to receive from the Lord. This is your year to receive from the Lord! God has some things He desires to do in your life. This is so important, because there are some things that won’t happen without fasting.

Mathew 17:19- 21 says, “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, ‘Why could not we cast him out?’ And Jesus said unto them, ‘Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, “Remove hence to yonder place;” and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.’”

The disciples had hit a tough spot.  They were trying to cast out an evil spirit and could not do it.  Frustrated, they came to Jesus and asked why, even though they had authority; even though they said the right things, were they not getting results? Jesus attributed the problem back to them, and said it was because of their unbelief.  He said if they had faith in what they were doing, nothing would be impossible…but it only happens when you pray and fast.  

You see, we enter into the realm of limitless possibilities when we pray and fast.  We take the impossible and make it possible. Maybe you are like the disciples; you have been praying and believing, but you have not been getting the results that you know the Word promises. If this applies to you, add fasting to your praying, and watch the impossible become possible.  Remember, be led by the Lord concerning what He wants you to do; this is a work of the Sprit, not a work of the flesh.  There is no condemnation if you fall short. God knows your heart, and He will honor you.  

The greatest blessing that comes after a fast is a fresh encounter with God; and that will set you up for all the other things. So be blessed as you seek the Lord for 2020. This the year to grow up so we can go up!!!

January 12th, 2020