The Benefits of Fasting and Prayer
Selected Scriptures
1st Fasting humbles our soul
Ezra 8:21-23 (ESV)
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek him for a safe journey for ourselves, our children and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
(v.22, transporting: $160 million in gold//$15.7 million in silver)
Psalm 35:13b
I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting
2nd Fasting helps secure favor in situations
Nehemiah 1:4 (ESV)
As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:11 (ESV)
O LORD, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." Now I was cupbearer to the king.
3rd Fasting helps us discern God’s will
Acts 13:2 (ESV)
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Daniel 10:2-4 (NIV)
At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice (desirable) food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, NIV
Daniel 10:10-11 (NIV)
A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you."
Daniel 10:3
I ate no choice (desirable) food;
Daniel 10:11
He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed (desirable)
4th Fasting gives us power to break demonic strongholds
Mark 9:29 (ESV)
And he [Jesus] said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.”
5th Fasting prepares us for new seasons of life and ministry
Acts 13:2-3 (ESV)
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
6th Fasting can bring healing
Isaiah 58:8a (ESV)
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily
7th Fasting gives us a greater awareness of God’s presence
Isaiah 58:8-9a (ESV)
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'
