Editor’s Note: The following article was written and Prayer with Fasting Hunger and Thirst (DOC), NMI Director for the Church of the Nazarene Nazarene Missions International
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Envision an opportunity to embrace God’s special presence on one day each week. Anticipate special time with Jesus in prayer with fasting that day. Prayer with fasting.
Prayer: communing with Jesus through intimacy in His Spirit. With: accompanied by, in addition to, as well as, alongside. Fasting: denying self for freedom from appetites.
Among practices that enhance focus and power in prayer, fasting is the most potent. Fasting is self-denial on purpose: to focus the body and soul while empowering the spirit. People who pray with fasting as a lifestyle affirm the biblical significance as well as the benefits for spiritual development.
Although the world distracts and entices us, God longs for our attention and closeness. We may experience a limited depth in Jesus Christ without fasting, but He reserves the most amazing favor and answers for those who pray and fast.
God resists the self-sufficient and proud, but gives grace to the humble. Prayer with fasting humbles our flesh and weans us from every prop, draws us into intimacy with the Lord, develops patience, dependence, endurance, and pleases the Spirit of God.
Whatever draws our devotion away from the Lord—a cause, a career, or cash— is a distraction or delusion. Fasting births and sustains deeper devotion to Jesus.
Examples. Moses fasted 80 days to see God’s glory (Exodus 24:18; 34:28). Elijah fasted 40 days to hear God’s voice (1 Kings 19:8). Samuel led Israel in fasting with repentance (1 Samuel 1:6-8, 7:6). Prayer with fasting fortified Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:3ff). Ezra was revived by praying with fasting (Ezra 8:21-23). Nehemiah fasted to restore Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:4; 9:1). Esther fasted for God’s rescue of Jews (Esther 4:15-16). David was strengthened through praying with fasting (Psalm 35:13, 69:10). Isaiah emphasized proper fasting (Isaiah 58:5-6). Daniel fasted for the fulfillment of God’s promises (Daniel 1:12; 10:2-3). Jonah fasted for clarity (Jonah 3:5-10).
Jesus practiced praying with fasting (Matthew 4:1-10; 6:16-18; 9:14; Luke 4:14). Jesus taught that praying with fasting is a powerful weapon against the evil one (Mark 9:25-29; see also 2 Corinthians 10:4-5). At Jesus’ dedication in the Temple, Anna worshiped, prayed, and fasted night and day with expectation (Luke 2:37). Paul fasted three days following his encounter with Jesus (Acts 9:9). Paul, Barnabas, and other leaders fasted to commission elders (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23).
Principles. Isaiah prioritizes fasting with a right heart (Isaiah 58:1-11). Fasting is privilege, not punishment. The outpouring of the Spirit will be in proportion to our desperation for God in humility, repentance, and fasting (Joel 1:5, 2:12-16). Fasting may stir and overcome spiritual forces such as the victory over temptation that Jesus modeled (Matthew 4:1-10). Fasting with private commitment is normal for Christ followers: note “when” not “if” you fast (Matthew 6:16-18). Fasting empowers worship (Luke 2:37). Fasting can include more than food (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).
Fasting strengthens dependence on God rather than self. Fasting fortifies self-discipline in an undisciplined age; restraining physical desire bolsters spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, Bible study, silent reflection, and solitude.
To merely abstain from food or other appetites alone is inadequate. A true Christian fast concentrates on praying with fasting, substituting time praying instead of time eating or other appetites. Unless we draw closer to God in spirit and truth, fasting will be merely human effort in self-denial. Let’s not merely deny ourselves; let’s grow in Christ together.
Fasting fosters concentration on God and His will, heightening attentiveness to the Spirit. A hungry stomach or delayed gratification alerts us to what God is trying to say to us. Fasting can prepare us for a major decision or strategic event. Fasting often prepares God’s mission in the world: restoring, renovating, and reviving His people in the nations. The early church needed to fast, so how much more our end time church needs to fast.
Setting our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2-3) may require forsaking some things below. These might include social media, certain places, and certain forms of entertainment or activities. We may not be able to partake of things below and expect to effectively hear from God and fulfill his will.
Preparation. We must be ready to pray with fasting. Ask God for a clear, specific objective such as deeper intimacy in Christ, heightened sensitivity in the Holy Spirit, direction for a decision in God’s will, healing or miracle, restoration of marriage or family, salvation for family or friend, financial peace, victory over anxiety, fear, or depression, to overcome sins such as pride, a critical spirit, lust or pornography, or to break bondage or habits.
Confess and repent. Ask God to forgive and restore. Seek God to cleanse, purify, sanctify, and fill with His Spirit. Avoid assuming that God will reward us for fasting.
Jesus instructed His followers to fast. He modeled quietly without prescribing types, frequency, or duration of fasting. He persevered under extreme persecution. In His name and nature, we will commit continuously to sustain praying with fasting, especially when temptations pressure us to abandon abiding in Him and denying ourselves.
Decide what to fast: food, pleasures, habits, television, social networking, etc. We may fast partially: specifics such as a Daniel fast of meat and sweets, consuming merely vegetables and water. We may fast solids, but drink juices. We may fast totally: no food or liquids. Remember that fasting for more than three days without water is wise only under certain circumstances.
Decide how long to fast: start simple and slow. Build spiritual maturity for the short term first, then for the long haul. Commit to fasting for a set amount of time such as one meal, one day, three days, one week, several weeks, or 40 days. Fasting is about the condition of the heart, not the number of days.
If we are preoccupied with weight loss or eating disorders, fasting may hinder rather than help. Fasting without praying is merely a diet without spiritual impact. We can pray without fasting, but we must not fast without praying.
Pray. Pray with fasting. Pray with praise and worship. Pray with Bible study and reflection. Take time to rest. Limit activity and exercise during extended fasts. Eliminate distractions and concentrate on Jesus and deeper intimacy with Him.
Consider fasting in covenant with someone you love: your spouse or family, a close friend, or a person you are discipling/mentoring. Enjoy community and accountability.
Ideas for children: pray while skipping play with friends; pray while giving up a special activity such as video or computer games, etc.
Anticipation. Expect to know God better and to draw closer to Jesus. Expect strength in character, power to throw off sinful habits that plague, and faith to focus in prayer and Bible study. Expect the heart and hand of God to move, answering unselfish prayers.
When we rely on our appetites without prayer and fasting, we grow weary, discouraged, frustrated, and fearful. We doubt God’s ability, question His presence, and want to quit.
When we deny our appetites and we commune with the Lord in praying with fasting, He galvanizes strength for the call, endurance for the challenges, and victory over fear. He transforms quitting to winning by grace through faith (Joel 2:25-32; Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9; Galatians 6:9; James 4:10; 1 John 1:4).
Expect self-emptying and setting aside of self-seeking to gain eternal inheritance. Expect prayers to move to a higher, deeper level. Expect spiritual victory and vitality.
Spiritual disciplines are known for their discipline in spirit, soul, and body. Expect resistance from the evil one. Expect tension, distraction, and discomfort.
Discomfort. Fasting’s physical discomfort is due to the detoxification of our flesh, which desires food or other favors several times daily. Fasting’s discomfort in soul and spirit might be due to conflict between our flesh, will, and the Spirit of God. Food as an emotional crutch gives pleasure, satisfaction, drowsiness, and escape.
We might experience impatience, crankiness, anxiety, weakness, tiredness, hunger sleeplessness, dizziness, lethargy, or other physical and psychological annoyances. Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. In spite of the safety and benefits of fasting, there are certain persons who should fast only with medical consultation or supervision.
As we depend on God for comfort, He reveals our need to repent of selfishness, to stop running from Him, to forgive others, and to start trusting Him. When we fast, our soul and spirit are detoxified.
Potential. Imagine the possibilities when we pray in power and fast in faith for our own ministries and teams as well as for missionaries and leaders around the world.
- Spiritual—that each local leader or global missionary will recognize importance of time in communion with God to renew spirit; intercede for spiritual vitality
- Mental, Emotional, and Physical—that each leader will make wise choices in diet, exercise, and rest; that each will practice dependence on the Holy One as well as authority over the evil one and will experience constant protection
- Family—that each leader will reserve quality time for marriage and family; that children will adjust well to multiple challenges
- Attitude and Adaptation—that each leader will sustain a positive, faith-filled perspective with capacity to overcome discouragement; that each will grace persons he or she serves; that each will develop capacity to learn well the language and customs of the people locally or globally
- Colleague Relationships—that each leader will work in harmony with colleagues and national leaders; that a mature church will flourish in each area of the world
- Ministry—that each leader will establish and sustain strategy in Christ and base decisions on the Word and prayer; that each will evangelize and disciple lost people; that the Lord of the harvest will raise more laborers
- Service Priorities—that each leader will prioritize care for people over other goals and objectives; that each will practice patience, passion for personal evangelism, and Christlike disciple making of future missional leaders
- Financial Needs—that each leader will practice integrity and balance regarding money and possessions; that God will provide needs for financial support
- Cultural changes—that each leader will adjust to reverse culture shock, will experience strength during travel and ministry, and will inspire the church to pray, give, send, and go missionally
- Challenges—that each leader will discern factors that can cause discouragement; that God will keep them encouraged in face of many real challenges, such as:
- Loneliness away from family and close friends
- Living in another culture and language group
- Working with unresponsive or hostile people
- Shortage of personnel resulting in labor overload
- Tension between workload and family needs
- Physical discomfort in sub-standard living conditions
- Limited fellowship with colleagues of like spirit
Prayer with fasting for missions is still vital. Global NMI continues to distribute stories of the impact of prayer in missions. Prayer remains one of four main objectives of NMI.
Future. In 1925, the Board of General Superintendents in partnership with what is now Nazarene Missions International (NMI) called the church to prayer with fasting. Nazarenes around the world began to fast one meal each week (often Friday noon), to pray during the time it would take to eat the meal, and to give at least the cost of that meal to world evangelism.
For such a time as this—we believe that God is calling us to renew this covenant.
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Jesus in Mark 11:28).
Today, we need more than principled leaders with deep convictions to biblical principles. Even if local churches, districts, fields, and regions select leaders who produce notable results, they will not be able to transform their cultures alone.
We need so much more. We are desperate for the Lord to pour out mercy on us, to redeem us, and to raise a movement of holiness revival in every nation. We need the Holy Spirit to wake up slumbering churches and reinvigorate pastors and lay people to preach Jesus and the Gospel with courage, to make disciples with conviction, to develop new churches with connection, and to care for the poor and needy with compassion.
Adalberto Herrera, pastor of House of Prayer Church of the Nazarene in Cali, Colombia, declares, “When the Holy Spirit led us to prioritize Jesus and prayer with fasting in every ministry group, our church experienced revival in evangelism and disciple-making beyond any plan we had ever pursued.”
We have seen God fulfill this desire for renewal through great awakenings across many centuries as well as in recent generations. Now is the time to plead with the Lord for another great awakening globally that impacts every nation where our church expands.
Will you join the Board of General Superintendents and NMI in prayer with fasting at least one meal each week? We suggest Wednesday mid-day or choose anytime that is more effective for you and your family. You could invite leaders in your church, district, and region to commit to prayer with fasting. Would you consider committing to prayer with fasting for at least the balance of 2012? When you see the way God blesses your spirit, soul, and body, would you consider a lifetime commitment to prayer with fasting?
Our copyright is your right to copy. You may revise, expand, simplify, or modify this resource in any way God guides you. The closer to grassroots, cell groups, house churches, and local churches we sound this call to prayer with fasting, the more favorably God will bless and the more fruitfully His mission will multiply.
Watch Web sites at www.nazarene.org and www.nazarenemissions.org for more resources and exchanges. Share your ideas with others—for such a time as this.
May God anoint you to fulfill His mission to make Christlike disciples in the nations.
Note: The full text of this post is also available as a download in Word Document format on the “Resources” page under Prayer.