Right Motives For Fasting 4

Isa.58v3-5: “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. 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. 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?”

You are welcome back to our discussion on “Right Motives for Fasting.” I honestly believe that you are gaining insight and wisdom as to how God wants us to go about our fasting. We can learn a great deal from the mistakes of the children of Israel in our text (Isa.58v3-5) by endeavouring to fast with the right motives in order to obtain the kind of results that God has promised his beloved children. So, what are the right motives for fasting? Why should you fast as a believer? You ought to fast:

4. In order to put yourself in a position of accessing God’s help. This is one of the primary reasons for fasting as we can see from the Holy Scriptures and this should be your motivation for fasting too (Isa.58v4,9). From my personal encounter, I can tell you a lot of instances of accessing divine help in the time of need that I don’t have the time to mention today. But one thing is sure, help will locate you as you seek him genuinely in your fast in Jesus name. God is no respecter of persons but of faith and your expectation won’t be cut off.

5. To gain mastery over your flesh. Fasting helps you to bring the flesh under control and in submission to your spirit man. In actual fact, our spirit is supposed to rule the soul and body; but this is not so most of the times; thus, the reason we need to fast from time to time in order to tame the flesh. Remember, your flesh is that part of you that wants to go contrary to God’s will but thanks be to God for the power of a fast that gives you Victory (Ps.35v13; Rom.8v12-13). Dearly beloved, you need the power of a God-ordained fast to discipline your flesh. May today open for you a new chapter of dominance over your flesh.

6. To loose the bands of wickedness. This is one of the primary motives for fasting. A God-ordained fast has been known to destroy and render useless every yoke and burden that the enemy has put on humanity as we can see in (Isa.58v6). This is one of the right reasons for you to fast so that every yoke of oppression and bondage is broken and nullified. Precious child of God, I declare today that you are coming into a new season of liberty and jubilee as you engage the powers of a God-ordained fast. I see chains and shackles falling off today in Jesus name, amen. It’s time to engage the blessings of a God-ordained fast. It’s time to start seeking the Lord for the right reasons. May your fast glorify His name and change your life forever!

Other Scriptural References: (Ps. 69 v 10: 109 v 34; 1Cor. 9 v 27; Isa. 10 v 21; Matt. 17 v 21; Ezra 8 v 21-23)

Prayer for Today: Father God, I decide today to fast for the right motives. Never again will I seek your face in vain. Help me Holy Spirit to honor the Lord in my fasting in Jesus name, amen.

CONFESSION: I fast for the right reasons and not for the wrong reasons. My motive for fasting is to receive supernatural help in times of need. My motive in my fast is to gain control over my flesh. My motive in a fast is to loose every band of wickedness. As I seek to glorify His name in this manner, I experience the unimaginable blessings of a God-ordained fast. My fast shall not be in vain, my fast shall not be futile. My fast is yielding positive results and changes. I am changing and so also is my life changing for the better in Jesus name, amen. Thank you, Father, for I give you all the glory!