To seek God’s guidance. In Acts 14:23, the early church fasted and prayed when they appointed new leaders. If you’re at a point in your life where you really need guidance in your business, career or relationships, now could be a good time to fast.

To seek deliverance or protection. If you read the stories of Ezra, Esther and King Jehoshaphat, they fasted and God intervened. We can fast for ourselves or others to be delivered from sickness, fear, anxiety, depression, addiction, poverty, you name it.

To express our passion for the work of God. Nehemiah’s passion to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem caused him to fast for help from God. We fast because of our passion to build God’s house in order to build this nation so people will call it a delightful land.

To overcome our flesh and draw closer to Jesus. Fasting teaches us to hunger for Jesus MORE than food or luxuries. This physical awareness of emptiness is the reminder to turn to Jesus who is the only one who can satisfy. He is the Bread of Life and Living Water. Jesus himself said: “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ – Matt 4:4 NIV
The word IS actually Jesus, so he’s saying we cannot live on food alone, but on Jesus who satisfies. When Jesus meets the woman at the well He tells her that what HE has to give is far greater than the natural water she is drawing from the well. Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. – John 4:13 NIV
You see, intimacy with Jesus will satisfy your thirst far more than any natural water, Coca-cola, coffee or even McDonalds for that matter.

To express love and worship to God. You can read about Anna the prophet in Luke 2 who literally just lived in the temple worshipping God constantly with fasting and prayer. That’s how she expressed her love for Him and fasting is one of the ways we can express our love for Jesus.

To strengthen your prayers. When Ezra, Daniel, Ether, Nehemiah and the apostles in the New Testament fasted, they always prayed. Fasting and praying always go hand in hand. Fasting without praying has a very common name. It’s called a diet. Fasting is not a diet. It’s more than just NOT eating. Prayer is a weapon and fasting helps to remind us to pray. So the idea isn’t to be dramatic about how much you want the food and constantly think about how much you miss it and need it but to be moved to fill the lack in your physical body with and abundance of prayer.

For which individuals would you like to pray so that they may have a personal encounter with Jesus?

For which miracle or breakthrough would you like to pray?