THE NECESSITY OF FASTING AND PRAYERS
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 6:2, 5, 16–17; Matthew 17:21; Joel 2:12; Joel 2:25; Acts 13:2–3; Luke 4; Galatians 5:17; Daniel 10:12–13; Ezra 8:21–23; Isaiah 58:6; Isaiah 58
There are mysteries in the kingdom that do not respond to casual Christianity. Some victories will never answer to prayer alone.Some mountains will never move by worship alone. Some yokes will never break by prophetic decree alone.
Jesus Himself stated a frightening revelation in Matthew 17:21:
“Howbeit this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting.”
Throughout Scripture, whenever destinies were about to shift, fasting appeared. Israel fasted and was delivered. Daniel fasted and saw prophetic realities. Esther fasted and reversed national destruction. Jesus fasted and returned with power.
No great destiny grows without fasting.
Why God Designed Fasting and Prayer
God designed fasting and prayer to:
1. Strengthen our spirit.
2. Silence the flesh.
3. Empower our consecration.
4. Release heavenly assistance.
5. Break demonic resistance.
6. Accelerate spiritual growth.
Fasting is not presented in Scripture as an optional spiritual discipline but as an expectation for every believer. Jesus taught, “When you fast,” placing fasting alongside giving and prayer as a normal expression of a devoted Christian life. Throughout the Bible, God calls His people to seek Him with fasting, and significant spiritual breakthroughs—including guidance, leadership, and victory over difficult spiritual battles—were preceded by fasting and prayer. Fasting is a divine expectation. God expects us to fast.
What is Fasting?
1. fasting is voluntary abstinence from food and pleasure. Not hunger strike, but consecration.
2. Fasting is deliberate dethronement of the flesh; the flesh is the greatest enemy of spiritual growth.
3. Fasting is a spiritual accelerator; it speeds answers, clarity and divine movement.
4. Fasting is self-denial for spiritual advancement; we deny the body to feed the spirit.
5. Fasting is Kingdom technology; a tool to stretch capacity and break limits.
Benefits of Fasting
1. Fasting Builds Capacity for Leadership
2. Fasting Breaks Spiritual Resistance
3. Fasting Brings Direction and Clarity
4. Fasting Breaks Invisible Chains
5. Fasting Activates Angelic Assistance
6. Fasting Brings Favour and Opens Doors
7. Fasting Brings Speed
8. Fasting Sharpens Spiritual Discernment
9. Fasting Opens the Channel of Divine Help
How to Fast Correctly
1. Start with repentance. Sin blocks fasting results.
2. Feed on Scripture. Don’t starve spiritually while denying physical food.
3. Avoid distractions. Silence entertainment.
4. Pray purposefully. Have clear targets.
5. Give generously (Isaiah 58). Connect fasting with giving, sowing, sacrifice and seed for divine intervention.
6. Walk in love. Bitterness cancels fasting.
Fasting delivers release and restoration. Fasting makes you unstoppable in destiny.