Benefits of Fasting

So many Christians do not realize the benefits of fasting.  Christian fasting should be a regular part of the Christian life.  Even though it isn’t commanded by Scripture, Jesus clearly expects His followers to fast regularly. When Jesus taught on fasting in His Sermon on the Mount In Matthew 6:16, He didn’t say “if” you fast, but “when” you fast. And in Matthew 9:15, He doesn’t say His followers “might” fast; but “they will.” It’s something that He expects of us if we are in relation with Him and expect to go deeper in our intimacy with Him.  I would like to share a few benefits of fasting as a Christian.

7 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting

• Fasting causes us to Rely on God.
• Fasting Helps us be Filled with the Fruits of the Spirit.
• Fasting Opens our Heart to Hearing God's Voice.
• Fasting Renews our Appreciation for God and His Blessings.
• Fasting Gives Power to our Prayers.
• Fasting Creates an Environment for Miracles.
• Fasting helps us to Consume God's Word.                             (Alisa Wagner)

Fasting and prayer are a necessity for Christians, to enable them to seek the face of God wholly. We deny our carnal nature in order to fulfill the desires of God. What He wills for our lives can be found through fasting and prayers. Our spirit and soul experience joy because of fasting.

In the article written by Donald Whitney, he mentions several benefits that I would like to end with in regards to the benefits of fasting.  He says, fasting……..

1. Strengthen our prayer life. (Ezra 8:23)
2. Seek God’s guidance (Judges 20:26)
3. Seek deliverance or Protection (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)
4. Helps to express repentance and a return to God (I Samuel 7:6)
5. Helps to humble oneself before God (I Kings 21:27-29)
6. Helps to minister to the needs of others (Isaiah 58: 3-7)
7. Helps to express love and worship for God (Luke 2:37)
8. Helps to overcome temptation and dedicate yourself to God (Matthew 4:1-11)