January is a time for new beginnings. Why not start it out with fasting in search of your goals, dreams, and what visions God has for you spiritually. When fasting the first month of the year or first day of the week, you are giving the Lord “Your First”. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things will be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33 “The kingdom of God is in YOU.” Luke 17:21
Why Fast?
1. Turn your heart to God.
“Even now,” says the LORD, “Turn and come to Me with all your heart [in genuine repentance], With fasting and weeping and mourning [until every barrier is removed and the broken fellowship is restored] Joel 2:12
2. To receive power over demonic forces. (See full story in Luke 17:14-21)
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not drive it out?” He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. [But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]” Luke 17:14-21
3. To humble ourselves, undo yokes, oppression; help those in need, restore and rebuild your spirit and soul.
“Is a fast such as this what I have chosen, a day for a man to humble himself [with sorrow in his soul]? Is it only to bow down his head like a reed
And to make sackcloth and ashes as a bed [pretending to have a repentant heart]?
Do you call this a fast and a day pleasing to the LORD?
“[Rather] is this not the fast which I choose,
To undo the bonds of wickedness,
To tear to pieces the ropes of the yoke,
To let the oppressed go free
And break apart every [enslaving] yoke?
“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not to hide yourself from [the needs of] your own flesh and blood?
“Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your healing (restoration, new life) will quickly spring forth;
Your righteousness will go before you [leading you to peace and prosperity],
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you take away from your midst the yoke [of oppression],
The finger pointed in scorn [toward the oppressed or the godly], and [every form of] wicked (sinful, unjust) speech,
And if you offer yourself to [assist] the hungry
And satisfy the need of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
“And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
“And your people will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up and restore the age-old foundations [of buildings that have been laid waste];
You will be called Repairer of the Breach,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
4. There is a time to fast, and it is between YOU and God.
The Bible doesn’t say, “if” you fast, it says, “when”. If you are dry spiritually, God can fill your thirst during this time. It releases the anointing, the favor, and the blessing of God.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6
But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18 (AMP)
Prayer: Lord, for those who have chosen to pick a time to fast this month, please lead and direct us. Help us to listen to your voice during this time. Help us to turn away from some of the things in this world that take our attention from our relationship with you. Lord we are looking for your guidance, satisfaction for our soul in dry places of our lives, strength, healing and for you to rebuild and raise us up to walk in the challenges of this life. In Jesus name, Amen.
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