2 Corinthians 6:4 (NKJV)
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, it is too much for me to understand.
James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Unproductive Fasts
What is an unproductive fast? It is following all the technical guidelines of fasting (as one would for a medical procedure) as outlined below:
Matthew 23:25 (NKJV)
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Productive Fasts
Let’s take a look at some ways to have a productive fast and to grow spiritually and please God in the process.
Repentance Before going into a fast you must acknowledge your sin before God. The Lord will help your spirit renew when you begin a fast with a repentant heart.
Isaiah 58:3-7
3‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers.
4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.
5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord?
6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Sincerity
God hates hypocrisy. A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be someone on the outside but they aren’t that way in their heart. When you cherish sin in your heart, God doesn’t hear your prayers.
Psalms 66:18
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
If you want to be successful during your Daniel’s fast and pleasing to God, begin your fast by drawing near to Him. Examine your motives, why are you beginning this fast? Ask God to remove any bad attitudes or behaviors. When God sees that you are truly genuine and that you want to live a godly life, He will draw near to you.
Intercession
Seeking God for our own needs during a fast is important, but praying for others really completes our prayers.
James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Compassion
Fasting can be both inward and upward. It is upward because you’re focusing on God and His Word. It is also inward because you are bringing your needs before God in prayer. You’re doing this at the same time you are denying yourself certain foods, and you are denying this as a sacrifice of worship to God.
Isaiah 58:10 (NKJV)
If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
While you are fasting be sure to prayerfully seek God’s direction. Ask him how you should be spending your time, resources, and efforts on those around you. He’ll show you how to bless others. Most importantly, don’t be surprised when you see multiple blessings!
The Spirit and the Flesh
During the Daniel’s fast, you will be spending a lot of time focusing on your spirit, however, your flesh may be trying to get your attention. Often our flesh can cry out like a spoiled toddler yelling “I want, I want.”, or like an over-indulged teenager “What about me!” Remember, your goal is to focus on God with your spirit and to deny your flesh.
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
Here is a table of other attitudes of the Spirit and flesh:
Resources:
Franklin, Jentezen (2008) fasting. Jentezen Franklin Ministries.
Gregory, Susan (2010) the Daniel fast. Ann Spangler and Company.
Feola, Kristen (2010) The Ultimate Gide to the Daniel Fast. Les Stobe
http://danielsfast.weebly.com/
http://www.biblegateway.com
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, it is too much for me to understand.
James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Unproductive Fasts
What is an unproductive fast? It is following all the technical guidelines of fasting (as one would for a medical procedure) as outlined below:
- Only Limiting or removing food from your diet.
- Going through your day hungry (both physically and spiritually)
- Not modifying your normal daily habits or schedules
- Not reading your Bible or Devotionals
- Not praying
- Becoming impatient for miracles.
Matthew 23:25 (NKJV)
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Productive Fasts
Let’s take a look at some ways to have a productive fast and to grow spiritually and please God in the process.
Repentance Before going into a fast you must acknowledge your sin before God. The Lord will help your spirit renew when you begin a fast with a repentant heart.
Isaiah 58:3-7
3‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers.
4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.
5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord?
6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Sincerity
God hates hypocrisy. A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be someone on the outside but they aren’t that way in their heart. When you cherish sin in your heart, God doesn’t hear your prayers.
Psalms 66:18
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
If you want to be successful during your Daniel’s fast and pleasing to God, begin your fast by drawing near to Him. Examine your motives, why are you beginning this fast? Ask God to remove any bad attitudes or behaviors. When God sees that you are truly genuine and that you want to live a godly life, He will draw near to you.
Intercession
Seeking God for our own needs during a fast is important, but praying for others really completes our prayers.
James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Compassion
Fasting can be both inward and upward. It is upward because you’re focusing on God and His Word. It is also inward because you are bringing your needs before God in prayer. You’re doing this at the same time you are denying yourself certain foods, and you are denying this as a sacrifice of worship to God.
Isaiah 58:10 (NKJV)
If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
While you are fasting be sure to prayerfully seek God’s direction. Ask him how you should be spending your time, resources, and efforts on those around you. He’ll show you how to bless others. Most importantly, don’t be surprised when you see multiple blessings!
The Spirit and the Flesh
During the Daniel’s fast, you will be spending a lot of time focusing on your spirit, however, your flesh may be trying to get your attention. Often our flesh can cry out like a spoiled toddler yelling “I want, I want.”, or like an over-indulged teenager “What about me!” Remember, your goal is to focus on God with your spirit and to deny your flesh.
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
Here is a table of other attitudes of the Spirit and flesh:
Resources:
Franklin, Jentezen (2008) fasting. Jentezen Franklin Ministries.
Gregory, Susan (2010) the Daniel fast. Ann Spangler and Company.
Feola, Kristen (2010) The Ultimate Gide to the Daniel Fast. Les Stobe
http://danielsfast.weebly.com/
http://www.biblegateway.com