WINTER 2005
|
|
It might be too long to read here, so I
suggest you Print it (only 40 pages): |
|
|
|
|
|
Go To Notices | Go To Prologue
| Go
To Table of Content | Uncut Notice
|
This book is "as
is" by using / reading / publishing / producing / distributing this book
you agree to indemnify LIM and Mr. McQuick or anyone affiliated with the
production or distribution, including websites, hosting and any other third
parties, from any liability that might arise from it's use. IF YOU DO NOT
AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT DO NOT USE THIS BOOK or anything from LIM or Mr.
McQuick; which is applicable to all "things" outputted by LIM or
Mr. McQuick and is hereby universally known so. Thank you and God bless you. |
Back to Top
Liberation International Ministries Publishing (LIMP)
Winter 2005
Uncut Edition By
LiberationIM.org
|
Uncut means it has not been
edited from being initial penned by the “author”, raw from off the potter’s
wheel, grammar and spelling was checked though. It is also uncut because
often times when copyediting the editor rewords what he thinks something
should mean, while it might not mean that; especially with something as
spiritually sensitive as biblical revelation. Me using scripture with bad
grammar might come out to a whole different meaning when correcting the
grammar by the copy editor. Though copyediting make the work flawless grammatically
and other such wise, it might detract from the intended meaning and impact
given from the author, who receive it from the Holy Ghost. This might not be
the case for all books, but one such as this where something is delivered
from the Lord (encoder) to the author (decoder) and the meaning is best
preserve in its original state even if they are copyediting errors. Any
errors that might be cited does not detract from essence or reading and what
is sent exegetically is received. The publishing process is bypassed and the
work uncut. Similar to having the real orange fruit as against a canned
processed with saturated alternatives. The oranges can be peeled by you and
you get the juice with all the 'ruffage'; as against it being peeled and
manufactured for you with all the things added and done to it that give it
less potency (e.g. changing tone). Take the time to peel your orange and eat
your fruit. Such are the books published by LIMP, uncut for your spiritual
health. Thanks for reading this. |
Disclaimer: 1. The author has taken care in the preparation of
this document, but the information it contains is not intended as a substitute
for the "expertise" and "judgment" of qualified health-care
professionals. You should consult with your health-care provider about all
health-care issues, so to speak. This book is "mostly" faith based;
however, science, though divorce is still ceded in the created and hence the
creator - faith. A bad disunion I might add and not to be found in M. Baker
either. 2. This book is “Not For Sale” or a sole commercial output, where it
maybe offered for sale is done so you may get a paper back copy if you please,
otherwise it can be freely downloaded and printed or reproduced unaltered. Any
proceeds received are mainly to cover the cost of doing so, to the third party
publishers, promoter, admin. and book designer (cost of production, no
profits); the author (Mr. McQuick) takes/receives no money as an author. 3. Any
copyright materials used were done so under the standard allowable, for
instance, short exerts or extracts were used with credits to the source and not
their entire work; mainly for expository/reference reasons. Moreover, any
copyright infringement would only take effect on commercial outputs, which this
is not. Also, see the Notices.
For Additional Copies
Shipping is separate. ICI caution, evil on the prowl; even by phone.
|
|
|
www.fasting.andmuchmore.com |
|
Size: 7.5 x 9.25
Advantage: Best. Spaced, quality layout and
design, last longer, more durable, higher readability, |
|
Size: 6 x 9
Advantage: Cost the less and a larger perfect binding. For
shipping in US, choose “US Postal Media” |
|
Advantage:
Cafepress also has
phone ordering and a 30-day return policy for dissatisfied customers. |
"When we fast, how long we fast, the
nature of the fast and the
spiritual objectives we have before us, are
all God's choice, to
which the obedient disciple gladly
responds."
Prologue
This book
is for spiritual development and is vital to know while on our Christian
Journey; it is for all, both beginners and those grounded in Christ. I want you
to have this book - "Fasting and Prayer." Reason being, it is an
ancient landmark that is quickly fading away in all the newness of today's
church. However, as alluded to by Christ, it is of vital importance (Matt
17:20-21) and its proper tenets must be known. Indulge yourself in this short
outline on one of the most effective and tenacious weapons given to us by God.
Then privilege yourself to put it in practice regularly; of course, as the Lord
leads.
One might say this book is for development in the Truth
Series, then how comes it only focuses on fasting and prayer, even so brief?
The answer is, there are many Christian “How To Books” for development but you
don’t need to be following those things to get the results desired, you only
need to be doing one thing – this. Christ told us this explicitly through the
story of Mary and Martha. After noticing Martha doing all “those” things, he
admonish her and us that you don’t need to start doing all those thing, he
said, “one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part.” In other
words, for Christian development and all things in Christ, one thing is
needful, PRAYER and its intensity with fasting. You can’t spend time with God
and not grow or attain “all” things. Therefore this book bypasses all the flood
of books written to tell Christians how to grow or succeed and go straight to
the thing God told us would only achieve these things. So if you understand
this book and put it in practice, you’ll be stronger, wiser, more learned and
aged than most Christians. “One thing is needful!” Choose that path today!
Oneil McQuick, Author.
(My
Christian name will be changed to Othniel or Yahothniel;
the one not used along with my present
Christian name will be
my middle names, if God be willing.)
Back to Top
Notices
IMPORTANT
NOTICE: All other copies,
work-in-progress, unedited, unpublished versions, etc, prior to this copy is
obsolete and should be treated as such. References can only be given from this
copy, as it is the completion of years of research and study. References can
only be made “when we had finished our course…the will of the Lord be done”
(Acts 21:7-14). This Important notice is encouraged to be on all copies.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: © Copyright 2003, 2004, 2005, etc, by
Oneil McQuick; also in accordance with international regulations on
Intellectual Property and Author's Rights. All rights reserved. The author
grants permission to non-commercially and commercially distribute the book if
you feel led to (please use tact and let it not be beyond affordability). You
can do so by hard copies, soft copies, downloads, prints, photocopy prints,
e-books and any format or method you wish, in any language, without my further
permission. The only condition is that it is not altered in anyway, including
the cover, titles and this copyright notice. This is not for profit; the sole
purpose is spreading the truth. You are free to quote as much, copy as much,
extract as much, make shorter booklets from chapters and other innovation in
the way of distribution, only keep it un-altered. There is a free PDF
copy online for you to do so; see threeq.com. Though I spent many hours and
years in study, research, re-reading, re-writing and waiting on the Lord for revelations,
you don’t even have to give me credit, just preach the word; “The Lord gave the
word: great was the company of those that published it” (Psalms 68:11).
Nevertheless, this Copyright notice should be on all copies at the front of
the book, as to further give others the right to distribute the truth.
Though I release the right to publishing the book and you have the right to do
so, even commercially, “ there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in
knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he
leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil” (Ecc 2:21). So
keep me in your prayers that God may sustain me financially. Nevertheless, I
release the rights because I really want the truth distributed unhindered. That
it might be reckoned, “In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book,
and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of
darkness...They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they
that murmured shall learn doctrine” (Isa. 29:18-24).
SERIES NOTICE:
They are twelve books in this Truth Series, because twelve is the number
of government or foundation. They are ten books for various faiths and two books for all. The ten books outline
salvation, which should lead you in becoming saved or strengthened therein. The
other two books are for growth, after receiving and being grounded in
Salvation; one is on demonology, for greater spiritual awareness and the other
outlines your survival kit after receiving salvation. All the books are seven
chapters because seven is the biblical number for completion or perfection. All
except one, “The Voice…” or the version for Christians, of the ten. It has 14
exhaustive chapters (7+7), which represents double perfection, needed for the
most diverse sect of people on earth. The
one for Christians is called “The Voice…;” the ones for the other faiths (9
books) are called “You Believe, Now Receive…;” the one for greater spiritual
awareness is called “Demonology Revealed;” and your survival kit is called
“Fasting and Prayers.” Twelve books in all, undoubtedly the most profound
truthful exegesis on the Bible ever. After reading it, you can’t admit that you
don’t know how and what it means to be save, how to survive and have not gained
all proficiency in all knowledge of spirituality. Let these “book[s]…shall not
depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that
thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein” (Joshua
1:8).
TESTIMONY NOTICE: They are many testimonies to this work of God, “Fasting and
Prayers” and the entire Truth Series, but here is just one:
“I just read your booklet on
fasting - great stuff!!! Thanks.” (Tom Raddatz, preacher and author)
True testimonies of the actual truth being done and
accomplished is a sign that you are sent and doing the will of God; though it
is not to be banked on by you. "He that hath received...[this] testimony
hath set to...[My] seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh
the words of God" (John 3:33-34).
CONTENT
INTRODUCTION Chapter 1
PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE OF FASTING Chapter 2
WITH PRAYER AND "THE WORD" Chapter 3
TIMING Chapter 4
SPIRITUAL RESULT OF FASTING Chapter 5
HOW TO BREAK A FAST Chapter 6
RELATED SCRIPTURES Chapter 7
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
“Nothing shall be impossible unto you…
but by prayer and fasting” (Matt 17:20-21)
The
following study is not meant to put fasting in a box, but give needed
directives. If one has a real personal relationship with the Lord, he should
lead you in all truth. It is also not meant to show the writer approved, as I
myself went through and still occasionally fall in the trap of an ’improper
fast'.
The
World Publishing Bible Dictionary describes fasting as, "going without
food, especially as a religious duty. A fast might be undertaken by an
individual to ask the favor of God, to ward off evil, to chasten one's pride,
or to discipline oneself at a time of crisis." It is almost impossible for
someone to be "saved," or become a "born again bible believing
Christian" and do not fast and pray often. It is all too important that
saints develop a consistent life of fasting, coupled with prayer and studying
the word of God. Without a doubt, lack of its consistency can be spiritually
hazardous.
The
acronym below is a general outline of the whole essence of a fast.
F flat before God in Spirit
A adoring him totally (worship)
S serving him with prayer and the
"word"
T timing is key
I indignation is pardon
N need is met
G glory received!
But let us go in more details.
First of all, fasting is ministering to God. It is adoring him, loving him,
praising him and blessing him with worship. A fast is not accepted unless this
is done (Zech 7:5, Acts 13:2, St. Luke 2:3, and Isaiah 58:3). You should not
join a church fasting session if your main reason sounds like this, "Well
I wanted to lose some weight so I'll join in;" or anything similar to
that. Fasting is a type of worship to God. And if so, you must totally
reverence him and him alone. Your results and motives shouldn't be so up front
that it stifles worshiping him.
All
thoughts and imaginations must be in subjection to the Holy Spirit. Also, your
motives must be correct and "set." The T.V, computer and radio must
be turned off, not just your pot. In other words, you must "zero in"
on God totally.
Fasting involves subduing and conquering the flesh. No wonder it is disturbing
to one's flesh. It is meant to subdue the flesh's proud spirit and suppress
lustful desires. David said, "I humbled my soul with fasting" (Ps
35:13).
Then the frequent question "pops up," can one be fasting while on the
job or at school? Strictly speaking, no! But seeing that God is a God of
compassion, he will honor some.
Why?
He sees your sincere heart when you lock yourself in the bathroom to pray and
read his "word" on every recess that is given. God is a discerner of
the heart and sees your efforts. But strictly speaking, a fast is a SACRIFICE
and therefore, going to work or school or any other event while fasting is not
really a sacrifice (especially when you got a day off or “holiday” last week
and went to the beach). Take the day off from work or school to fast, instead
of worldly pleasure. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the
desires of your heart (Ps 37:4). Moreover, Leviticus 23 thoroughly outlines how
someone is not to fast and work, which is typified in the feasts and Sabbaths.
At one point it went as far as to say, “And whatsoever soul it be that doeth
any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people”
(Lev 23:30).
Isaiah
58:3 also states, "Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?
Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?" In
this particular passage, a group of religious people was asking how is it that
we have fasted and are about to starve to death yet God you won’t hear us? Then
God continued, through Isaiah, "Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure and exact all your labor” (Isa 58:3).
The
phrase "find
pleasure" in today's society shows us that while they were fasting at the
same time they were also watching T.V, listening to the radio, surfing the
Internet, chatting with some friends, grooming themselves, writing love
letters, doing all manner of things that would detract from the solemnness of
the fast. Then the phrase "exact all your labor" meant they were exploiting their
employees or laborers, which meant they were consciously practicing evil deeds
while fasting. At first I deemed that phrase they were working on the fasting,
but upon giving a small draft to an Elder to look over, he corrected me on the
above meaning. However, it could be used to also refer to that and backed by
Lev 23:30.
Now,
what did God say through Isaiah concerning fasting while being pre-occupied
- that is, finding pleasure, working,
wrong motive and knowingly sinning? "Is it such a fast that I have
choosen" (Isa 58:5)? Therefore, rhetorically and sarcastically giving it a
big NO. He obviously despised such a fast and does not delight in them either.
Verse 5 continue to say, "A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to
bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Wilt thou call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord?"
Meaning,
they were literally being sanctimonious in sackcloth and ashes with wrong
motives; plus neglecting things like feeding the hungry, housing the poor and
clothing them. Why not do these things first or even fast about it, rather than
scoff at them then come to me in fasting? That was God’s cry. And why not be
discreet in sacrifices too?
In fact, all we have to do is totally surrender our body, mind and soul to God,
without anybody knowing; and periodically find our little corner or ’prayer
closet'; though if you can, shutting away would be good. Matthew 6:17-18
clarifies this, "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 shall reward
thee openly." We don't have to shut away ourselves with sackcloth and ashes
anymore, but go about “necessary” routines without
a trace. Plus, you can’t live an ungodly life daily (avoidance of love, mercy,
helps, etc) and then come to God fasting every weekend. For that’s what the
people in Isaiah 58:5 did, avoided love, mercy and helps then came to God
fasting, which he despised. You should do good and also fast that the needy
among you might have spiritual and physical necessities. Love, mercy and
righteousness should not be avoided from your life then put on a fasting show
(Isa 58:5).
In
another sense, with Isaiah 58:5, the essence is not that you wont have outward
signs of fasting, but that to be seen you highlight these signs to come across
as spiritual or for recognition. And if you fast for self-recognition then your
fast is nullified. Because this is the New Testament fast that God will accept,
“thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy father which is in secret”
(Matt 6:18). As against the persons in Isaiah 58 who made sure everybody knew
that they were fasting by their attire, decorum and disposition. The people in
Isaiah 58 are a good example to us on what not to do while fasting, which will
most often result in a “rejected” fast. However, the best example of a rejected
offering was first herald by the actions of Cain, as in Cain and Abel. Cain
gave the best of his might, everything was done right and the outline was
followed. But the bible clearly tell us why his offering was rejected, “If thou
doest well, shalt thou not be accepted” (Gen 4:7). If he did well in the actual
offering and procedures it means he didn’t do well in other areas. In other
words, like the people in Isaiah 58 he had wrong motives, lived a bad life
while offering and other God detest things. This is similar to the people of Isaiah
58 who did everything a fast required – no food, no drink, crying, sackcloth,
ashes, praying, etc – but fail to attain the objective of the fast because all
things must be balanced. Basically, God is not so upfront with the fine
details, what he wants and is saying to you is, “Rend your heart and not your
garments” (Joel 2:13). Or, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a
broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise"
(Psalms 51:17). He prefers your heart be in it first, rather than a show of
routine.
So be humble and choose a day from work, school and frivolity and surrender
your body, soul and mind to the Lord in a biblical fast. It will bring the
intended results!
I remember while young, in
my late teens, I did a series of fasts and hadn’t heard from the Lord,
concerning my purpose; unfortunately I wasn’t doing it as stated above. Later I
spoke with an old Deacon in our church, Deacon Johnson, when I told him how I
was successful in doing a couple days of fasting yet with my blight; he quickly
shut me up and told me I’m not doing it right. He said to not drink any water
or eat not even the slightest of food, don’t do anything but focus your mind on
the Lord, study his word and lift him up. He said from you get up that morning
don’t think on nothing else but praying and fasting for this thing, don’t work,
don’t play and you can use the prayer room all day if you like. I was taken
aback because I thought I was doing the fast right but that God choose not to
answer me. Anyway, I did just that and even before I could reach a quite place
to spend the day in prayer, I receive an evangelical postal mail indirectly
tell me I’m a preacher and to preach his word. While in the prayer room it was
emphasized through Acts 1. Then 6:00 on the dot when I finished the fast a lady
whom I had no dealings with came up to me and said she was awakened in the
night by a vision and in the vision the Lord told her to anoint me concerning
the same thing. I was really ecstatic, finally knowing my purpose and even to
know that fasting could really push God to answer you if you do it right; I
really thought I had always done it right.
In that respect, a Jewish author wrote the following biblical proof. This
example of a Jewish holiday brings about some of the key points mentioned
throughout this study, like abstaining from water and work, the duration of a
one day fast which I later found out is 24 hours and much more. He wrote:
On the 10th day of the Seventh Month (Tishrei) is the holiday known as Yom Ha-Kipurim (or Yom Kippur), "The Day of Atonement". This is a day dedicated to fasting and prayer on which we ask YHWH to atone for our sins.
Ye shall afflict your souls
On this holiday the Torah commands us to "afflict our
souls ('INuI NeFeSH)"
as we read:
· And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh
month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls,
and do no work at all, whether
it be one of your own country, or a
stranger that sojourns among you...
It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto
you, and ye shall afflict your souls,
by a statute for ever." (Lev 16, 29.31)
· "Also on the tenth day of this seventh month
there shall be a day of
atonement: it
shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall
afflict your souls, and offer an
offering made by fire unto YHWH...
For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be
afflicted in that same
day, he shall be cut off from among his
people... It shall be unto you
a Sabbath of
rest, and ye shall
afflict your souls: in the ninth day of
the month at
even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your
Sabbath."
(Lev 23, 27.29.32)
· "And ye shall have on the tenth day of this
seventh month an holy
convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do
any
work
therein:" (Nu 29,7)
To "afflict
the soul" means to fast
In Biblical Hebrew the expression "to afflict your souls" means
"to fast"
(Tzom).
The Hebrew phrase 'INuI NeFeSH translated as "afflicting the
soul",
also appears in a number of Biblical passages, from which it is clear
that
this expression signifies fasting:
· "...I afflicted (KJV:
"humbled") my soul with fasting; and my prayer
returned into mine own bosom." (Psalms
35, 13)
· "...I
wept, and afflicted (KJV: "chastened") my soul with fasting, that
was to my reproach." (Psalms 69, 11)
· "Wherefore
have we fasted, say they, and you see not? wherefore
have we afflicted our soul, and you take no
notice?..." (Isaiah 58:3)
"Soul"
Means "appetite"
It should be pointed out that one of the meanings of the word
"NeFeSH",
commonly
translated as "soul", is in fact "appetite". For example:
· "And put a knife to your
throat, if you be a man given to appetite
(NeFeSH)." (Proverbs 23, 2-3)
· " For
he satisfies the longing soul (NeFeSH), and fills the hungry soul
(NeFeSH) with goodness." (Psalms 107,
9)
· "The
full soul (NeFeSH) loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul
(NeFeSH) every bitter thing is sweet."
(Proverbs 27, 7)
· "Yea,
they are greedy dogs which can never satisfy their souls
(NeFeSH) (KJV: "have
enough")" (Isaiah 56, 11)
Therefore
the expression "to afflict your NeFeSH" is more accurately
translated
as "to afflict your appetite", hence the meaning "to fast".
[Linguistic
note: NeFeSH has the literal meaning of "throat" as in the verse
"Save
me, O God; for the waters have reached [as high as] my throat
(NeFeSH)"
(Ps 69, 2) and thus by extension came to signify: breath, life,
appetite,
etc.]
What is involved in a fast?
In the Tanach to fast means to refrain from eating or drinking throughout
the
entire period of the fast (Esther 4, 16). In Biblical Times a fast also
included
the following elements:
· Crying
(i.e. intense prayer), see Ps 69, 11; Joel 2, 12
· Donning
sackcloth and putting dust or ashes on the head (a sign or
Mourning), see Daniel 9, 3; Nehemiah 9, 1
[sackcloth is a type of raggedy
cloths do so for humility]
· Prayer and
Repentance, see Esther 9, 31; Nehemiah 1, 14; Isaiah 58
Work is Forbidden
on Yom Kippur
In addition to the above aspects of fasting, work of any form is forbidden on
the
Day of Atonement, as is having a fire burning and cooking food. While
many
holidays are described as a "Shabbaton" (minor-Sabbath), Yom Ha-
Kipurim
is described as a Shabbat-Shabbaton (The Sabbath of minor-
Sabbaths)
and all things forbidden on the Sabbath are also forbidden on
Yom
Ha-Kipurim [as well as a regular fast].
Fasting and
Repentance
In
Joel 2 we are taught that fasting must be accompanied with genuine
repentance:
“Therefore
also now, says YHWH, turn you even to me with all
your
heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13
And
rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto YHWH
your
God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great
kindness,
and repents him of the evil. 14 Who knows if he will return
and
repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering
and a drink offering
unto YHWH your God?" (Joel 2, 12-14)
All the above indented
section came from a student of old Jewry (Karaite-Korner.org); the same faith
that Christianity is built upon. Always remember your foundation, without it
you're building an earthly brick castle on the clouds “Thou shalt not remove
thy neighbours landmark [principles here], which they of Old time have set in
thine inheritance” (Due 19:14).
END NOTES: 1. It is often wondered if a doctor is to be sought before
fasting. Match this notion against the old landmarks. No one consulted a doctor
because it was a God ordain procedure and even beneficial physically. There is
no record of any terminally sick person going on fasting in the bible and if so
they would have been healed by it. However, if you’re on some medication or
treatment, you can consult your doctor; amongst other reasons. Fasting is
actually a faith venture; faith is preferred as you’re consulting the true
doctor, Christ.
2. Isaiah 58 also has added potency and revelation to
the composite of the fallen race which thighs together with Isaiah 59, if read
with that eye, whether straight prophetic or encoded prophetic. Nevertheless,
we can’t ignore the obvious meaning that these people were doing what was
required on the surface (ritual fasting) but denying the essence of it or the
essence of their faith (love). Both the required and essence have to come in
harmony or else either is null and void alone. Much like faith is dead without
works. Out of the essence you do and fulfill the required, then the required
doesn’t become boring ritual, but a show of love – which if achieved expresses
itself in love to others. A similar experience is expressed in Zechariah 7 – 8.
Chapter 2
PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE OF
FASTING
“Speak unto all the people of the land,
and to the priests, saying,
When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month,
even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me,
even to me?” (Zec 7:5)
Firstly, you must tell the Lord that you are attempting a
fast; though he knows already. Do not suddenly start fasting. Or worse yet, do
not declare a fast to God because you have no food or for some other indirect
coercive reason. On the contrary, there are times when the Lord will come by
and say, "sanctify a fast." He can also inform the church to go on
fast immediately, through someone (a corporate fast). So be very sensitive to
the move of God. Explain to the Lord the purpose of
your fasting, though he is omniscient, he desires a verbal relationship. The
fast could be for increase faith, trust, and direction in future events of
career, ministry, marriage and others, for greater strength, anointing and
empowerment for ministry or best of all, living.
Secondly,
If you’re a married you have to get consent from your spouse, as this verse
tells us, “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time,
that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again” (1
Cor 7:5). Why did Paul say this? “That Satan tempt you not for your
incontinency” (1 Cor 7:5). Therefore, it is not necessarily a commandment.
Nevertheless, at one point it was; recorded here, “Every vow, and every binding
oath to afflict the soul [fasting], her husband may establish it, or her
husband may make it void. …These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded
Moses, between a man and his wife” (Num 30:13-16). But since the strict keeping
of the letter of the Law is taken away with Christ, we are no longer under the curse
of it; but the essence of it is still present and needed today (LOVE), which
eventually will mirror the letter of the Law itself; that’s why Christ came to
fulfill it and not take it away. Because what Paul told us above is almost the
same thing to the Law. But he added why he said it and then said, “But I speak
this by permission, and not of commandment” (1 Cor 7:6). Other things that
might be considered is who will cook while the wife is on fasting, or the
husband, if he is the cook in the family; like my Dad is.
Thirdly, fasting while going through your menstrual cycle
(period) should be avoided, of course this only affects women. When I read the
Old Testament I notice that the same Law or process that applies to sexual
relations in terms of Holy Sacrilege, rituals and others, applied also for
women having their “period.” In other words, the same principle that applies to
not having sex while fasting, “Defraud ye [refrain from sex]…to fasting” (1 Cor
7:5), applies also to not fasting while on your period. For instance, Leviticus
15:16-18 describes how a man and wife are unclean until evening if going to the
temple because they had intercourse and what to do about it. Then Leviticus
15:19-30 showed the same thing, results and same instruction for a woman in her
period. Therefore, I conclude that both the wife or husband has to separate
themselves from each other (sex) to fast and likewise the woman has to separate
a time from her period to also fast. Though, like Paul, I give the latter by
permission – it’s not a commandment.
Fourthly, while fasting one should not drink any liquid (Read
Jonah 3:7). Yes, there are different kinds of fast but we are not doing
different kinds of fast: we are reframing from food and drink for a period (to
seek the face of God) as laid down by the saints of old.
Fasting is a sacrifice and
sacrifices are never easy or else it's not a sacrifice; for instance, drinking
excessive amounts of water to inflate your belly during a fast is not
necessarily a sacrifice. Try not to be too comfortable. Remember what was said
earlier, "fasting involves subduing and conquering the flesh ... No wonder
it is disturbing to one's flesh. It's meant to subdue the flesh's proud spirit
and suppress lustful desires."
Now, when undertaking a long fast, it would be wise to properly hydrate your
body, prior (before) to the fast - eight glasses per day is recommended; And
eat lots of fruits and vegetables. As it pertains to drinking water during this
lengthy fast, this scripture comes into play "as your faith is be it unto
you." Nevertheless, a true spiritual fast involves abstinence from water.
Today we make so many excuses to try and conform to modern days. You can’t
water down doctrine and not water down the effects. If a queen, the most
sumptuous and fairest of women, could have gone on three days and night without
food or drink, how much more us. Esther, the Jewish Queen said, “Go, gather
together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither
eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast
likewise” (Est 4:16). If Moses stricken in age could have done two 40 days
fasts back to back (Due 9:18) without food or water how much more us young folk
under 60 years old. In other words, Moses fasted 80 days without food or water,
he said, “I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty
nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water” (Due 9:18). Notice
what he said, “I did neither eat bread, nor drink water.” This was the standard
set for fasting from old until now; remember, “Remove not the ancient landmark,
which thy fathers have set” (Pr 22:28).
On the fifth point, anybody who fast regularly would know that a
negative spin-off of fasting is "bad breath." So if you are
particular about self-image (and one should be), then proper dental hygiene
should be practiced. Avoid eating mints, as that is a form of food. Preferably
travel with a small bottle of mouthwash. Eating sweets is eating food. Notice
in 1 Samuel 14:24-29, that after a fast was declared, no one would dear to even
touch the honey (sweets). Because sweets, even in it's lowest capacity is
considered food. In 1 Samuel 14:24-29, Johnathon had only dipped his staff in
the honey and tasted it and he was deemed as breaking the fast; of which he was
going to be put to death, but the people rescued him.
Six, have
a bath, wash your face and be normal. Nobody, by looking, should know that you
are fasting. Ask the Lord to keep you throughout the fast. Ask him for
sustenance from dizziness, headaches, fatigue and belly-aches, especially if
you are a novice. These are natural occurrences but usually when I pray for
them to go away, they do and upon regular fasting they become non-existent.
If your mind is on the Lord, you shouldn't have a problem, "Set
your affections on things above."
Seven and last point it, worshiping
God throughout the fast is vital. One cannot fast without worshiping God. Not
just a word of praise in the morning and song before bed. I mean locked in your
bathroom and lift holy hands and out of the bowls of your belly magnify God;
not necessarily for only what he has done for you but for who he is. Then there
are times you can be worshiping him in your mind 'aloud', while doing
something. The point is, consistent worship must be done. A fast is not
accepted unless this is done (Zech 7:5, Acts 13:2, St. Luke 2:3, and Isaiah
58:3).
I remember at school (BCC), while fasting, I felt dizzy like I was about to
pass out. All I did that day was to get up, pray about the fast, abstain from
food and drink and went about my business. That evening, when the dizziness
came on and I felt like I was going to pass out, I said to the Lord,
"Please allow me to break this fast, I can't manage." I wasn't
driving that day so I was about to ask someone for a lift to the nearest fast
food restaurant (of all places). Then the Lord said to me, "don't go,
worship." I hesitated and thought, "I'm the one feeling like I'm
going to drop down." However, I began to sing a chorus, then it broke out
into tongues and all of a sudden I felt revived and strengthened; to the point
that I reached in my bag and started passing out tracks.
This one thing I learnt, a fast is a spiritual endeavor, therefore spiritual
things must be used to sustain it: worship, prayer and the “word”. This last
point brings us to the next chapter; and that is, fasting must be coupled with
prayer and studying God's word.
Chapter 3
COUPLED WITH PRAYER AND THE “WORD”
“Ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove …and it shall remove…
but by prayer and fasting” (Matt 17:20-21)
It is also imperative that
one pray and study God's word while fasting. You might not have a successful
fast unless you study and meditate upon the word of God and pray, pray, and
more praying! Sleeping through an entire fast is not accepted either. Fasting
is not just going without food; if that was the case, we would be the best of
saints, because we don't eat while we're sleeping and therefore fasting. On the
other hand, fasting is ministering to God and receiving his reflection, as
outlined in the acronyms below.
P - Praises and supplication W - Weapon used
to smite the heart
R - Resources are emptied
A - Adapt to his will O -
Offers pathway to reconciliation
Y - Yokes are broken
E - Energy perfected R -
Reproves the world of sin
R - Renewal of body, spirit and soul
D - Directs you back to God
The above acronyms are similar in outcome at the end. That is, the last letters
R and D both bring us back to God. The first half of both words causes a state
of brokenness. A prayer of confession at the initial stage of fasting leads to
humility in the presence of God. You have acknowledged that your efforts have
failed and that only God can sustain you. Reading the "word" can rip
your conscience and show your sins plainly. Both usher you to develop a
"broken and contrite heart." And of course, this the Lord will not
refuse (psalms 51:17). Prayer and the word combined will carry you through a
process of reconciliation to God. One feels much closer than before, like God
is physically beside you hearing your prayers; “And if we know that he hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him”
(1 John 5:15).
When you are about to read the word, pray first and ask God to open your
understanding to the scripture. Ask for wisdom and not only knowledge,
illumination as well as revelation. Then secretly read the word of God and
allow the Holy Spirit to teach you. The bible did say, "Study to show
thyself approved unto God." In other words, for one to be approved unto
God for service, one must know God's word through studying it with him. You
should be able to talk (pray) to the Lord on the level of his word, as the
saints of old did. And may I also add that the word did say, "study to show
thyself approved unto God," and not merely unto men for a show.
On the note of prayer, Matt. 6:5-7 shows us how we must pray and it states,
"when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love
to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they
maybe seen of men.... But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and
when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy father which is in secret: and thy
Father which is in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not
vain repetitions as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for
their much speaking."
Need I say more on prayer?
The above scripture is self-explanatory and should be followed for a successful
prayer life.
Verse 9-13 of the said Matt. 6 then gives us an excellent example of a prayer.
Note an example ("after this manner"). Notice how this prayer begins
with worship, as ours should. That is, "our father... hallowed (holy) be
thy name." The prayer progress in such a fashion that the person praying,
prays according to the will of God and not "amiss" (James 4:3). The
person praying concludes with his own will broken and the desire is that God's
will be done. Take note at what preceded that, confession. Bookmark this prayer
in your memory and as the occasion arises, pray likewise. Here is a little more
on prayer with fasting:
“Fasting
is designed to make prayer mount up as on eagles' wings. It is intended to
usher the suppliant into the audience chamber of the King and to extend to him
the golden scepter. It may be expected to drive back the oppressing powers of
darkness and loosen their hold on the prayer objective. It is calculated to
give an edge to a man's intercessions and power to his petitions. Heaven is
ready to bend its ear to listen when someone prays with fasting.
How often we have made earnest prayer to God for some specific need, with the
assurance that this was in the will of God, and yet there has been no answer
from heaven. Why? It could well be, and often is, that God is saying to us,
"When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you" (Jer.
29:13-14). When a man is willing to set aside the legitimate appetites of the
body to concentrate on the work of praying, he is demonstrating that he means
business, that he is seeking with all his heart, and will not let God go unless
He answers.
This thought of fasting being an expression of whole-heartedness is clear from
Joel's call to the nation: "Yet even now," says the Lord,
"return to me with all your heart, with fasting..." (Joel 2:12).
“Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to conform the resolution that we are
ready to sacrifice anything [even water], to sacrifice ourselves to attain what
we seek for the kingdom of “God” (Andrew Murray).
Without
a doubt this is an important aspect of the fasting prayer. Of course we must
not think of fasting as a hunger strike designed to force God's hand and get
our own way! Prayer, however, is much more complex than simply asking a loving
father to supply his child's need. Prayer is warfare. Prayer is wrestling.
There are opposing forces. There are spiritual cross currents. When we plead
our case in the court of heaven, when we cry to the judge of all the earth, 'Vindicate me against my adversary' (Luke
18:3), that adversary is also represented in court (Job 1:6, 2:1, Zech 3:1).
It is not enough that the Judge is willing; there is the opposition that must
first be overcome.
The man who prays with fasting is giving heaven notice that he is truly in
earnest; that he will not let God go without the blessing; that he does not
intend to take 'no' for an answer. He or she is using a means that God has
chosen to make his voice to be heard on high.”
-Arthur Wallis (God’s Chosen Fast) [picked up
at the Family Thrift Sore]
A very good example of prayer is the King of Judah, he prayed about 10 seconds and made a request in one verse and 165,000 men against Israel died in one night by one angel. One prayer, one man, one angel, one night and a battle was won without a drawn sword by Israel. This couldn’t have happened by any man praying, but only by a man like Hezekiah. His prayer was answered because “he clave to the LORD” (2 Kings 13:6); which unequivocally meant he lived a life of fasting and prayer. So much so that he was said to cleave so close to God “that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him” (2 Kings 18:5). He did so probably like David, who we know f