The Results Of Fasting

If I have seen results of fasting yes, I surely have. In the life of my friends or in my own, Christian fasting is indeed a precious tool at hand. At times when I can’t get over a certain situation or feeling I fast - voluntarily going without food or drink and pray - for a day or up to three days.

In the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament fasting is a normal practice found among believers. The Bible clearly shows the results of fasting in the life of so many! When the disciples came frustrated because they could not cast out a certain kind of demon, Jesus himself said to them that those kinds of demons only depart with fast and prayer.

However fasting has a profound meaning, that does not only pass trough the stomach but it descends in the deepest part of our heart. God is not impressed with us when we don’t eat and pray but keep doing the evil things He tells us not to do. Here is what God told to his people who asked Him : 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?'

God’s answer pointed out a brutal reality:

"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high."

Obviously, God cannot be fooled or impressed with a religious form. He is not pleased with a false reverence showed within a ritual.

Consequently, the real purpose of fasting from God’s perspective is revealed in these verses:

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"

The rewards of the true fasting are amazing and I believe all people should benefit from it. God showered with blessings the people who fasted as He asked!

To sum up the blessings brought by a Christian fasting the way God has chosen it, I will enlist them below as Isaiah 58:8-12 shows them:

1. God's favor will shine on you like the morning sun.
2. Your wounds will heal quickly.
3. God will always be with you to save you.
4. His presence will protect you on every side.
5. When you call on Him, He will answer you.
6. When you pray, He will hear you.
7. The darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon.
8. God will always guide you.
9. He will satisfy you with good things.
10. He will keep you strong and well.
11. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water.
12. You will be like a spring of water that never runs dry.
13. You will be called a repairer of broken walls, a restorer of streets with dwellings.

Knowing the multiple benefits of fasting, the apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Romans: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1

I am confident that God answers and appreciates a sincere heart that wants to be closer to Him and attempts that with fasting. In addition, many solutions to the problems are revealed to those who are so interested to get them that they even come before God with true fasting and prayers. Yes, the one who made our ears is not deaf! He will answer our prayers!

Don’t be discouraged if the answer doesn’t come that very instant, God might want you to learn a certain lesson; so just wait and be encouraged because He does not lie, He will answer you in His time.

We are his children and just as your children - who’d love to drive your car even if they have just turned 3 years old and you can’t let them exactly because you love them - the same way, God determines when you are ready for the change you want. He really doesn’t want you hurt attempting something that might bring prejudice to you in the future.

Be encouraged, ask from Him and why not, take all the profit from fasting!