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April 8th – April 13th:
Never under estimate the power of faith and fasting. Daniel’s faith in God gave him confidence that eating the right foods, fresh fruits and vegetables would make him and the three Hebrew boys healthier. He challenged the servant after ten days to compare the Hebrews to the others who ate the king’s delicacies. Daniel’s was so convincing that the king’s servant consented and gave them permission to fast and eat nothing except the fruit and vegetables as requested. At the completion of the fast, Daniel and the three Hebrew boys were far healthier in body and mind than all the young men who ate from the king’s table. Having healthy bodies is a part of God’s divine plan for our lives. We over indulge, habitually eating foods that are unhealthy. As a result, we are plagued with every sickness and disease known to humankind. Instead of good health and long life, we face death early while suffering with various physical complications as a result of poor health. Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, therefore, you are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19). Having a healthy diet is fundamental in fasting and living well. Our unique bodies have the ability to heal itself when we eat proper foods, exercise and received the necessary sleep needed for our bodies.
Fasting is one of those spiritual disciplines. The personal benefits are obvious, and the teaching from Jesus on this matter seems to place it in the realm of the private rather than public (Matthew 6:16–18). Christians often think of spiritual disciplines as personal exercises. But the Bible really doesn’t make that distinction. Not only do spiritual disciplines bear growth for the entire congregation, many of them are intended to be followed in community by believers acting together. Here are five benefits that come from fasting together as a community, whether within your church, your small group or even just your extended family.
5 Benefits of a Corporate Fast:
(1 Samuel 7:5–6; Ezra 8:21–23; Nehemiah 9:1–3; Joel 2:15–16; Jonah 3:5–10; Acts 27:33–37)
1. Heightens Your Sensitivity to the
Spirit:
Notice that for the believers in Antioch fasting was connected with worship. The two go hand in hand. Why? Because when fasting we form a natural sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. In fact, for those believers in Acts they heard from the Holy Spirit while worshiping. The corporate fast led to a corporate sensitivity to and then a response from the Spirit. Fasting has the potential of helping your church get on board with a singular vision as selfish ambition is held in check. It can also heighten your sensitivity toward the Spirit completely operate within any church (body of believers).
2. Increases your Unity:
Much like the experience in Acts 2, the Antioch believers were in one accord. They heard from God as a group, not individually. Fasting will get your church on the same page. When fasting, we are physically denying our flesh. Our egos and self-centeredness take a backseat. Fasting has the potential of helping your church get on board with a singular vision as selfish ambition is held in check.
3. Uncovers your Potential:
What did the Spirit say to the believers in Acts 13? He had them set apart two of their own “for the work to which I have called them.” Saul and Barnabas found their deepest God-given abilities and ministry. And they stepped out to fulfill that potential.
4. Prioritizes Prayer:
Notice that after hearing from God, the Antioch believers set an additional time of fasting and prayer (Acts 13:3). Prayer is the partner of fasting. When you fast corporately consider allowing a regular place and time for corporate prayer. It may be daily or weekly, but you should encourage both private and public prayer. God moves when His people pray together.
5. Broadens your Reach:
Finally, Saul and Barnabas were commissioned to continue the work of telling others the good news of Jesus. The two may have been content to stay where they were. After all, having reached Antioch it could be argued that they fulfilled Jesus’ command in Acts 1:8 to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” But fasting led Saul and Barnabas to see new avenues for ministry and new people who needed to hear the message. It will help your congregants to reach their higher potential purpose and so that they can unlocked their destiny while broadened ambitions, so that their spirits can become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit guidance and direction. Corporate fasting brings unity and a strong awareness of our need for dependence upon God. It heightens our hunger for His presence in our midst. As we look into 2019 believing God for great things in our church and community, fasting together releases unity and clarity of vision in our body to step into everything He has called us for. The call for corporate fast within the life of the body, is something that not only pleases the Father, but brings a fresh word and fresh fire of the Holy Spirit into the life of believers. Lastly, the church as the body of Christ with Jesus as the head seeks corporately to hear from God. It is a spiritual time, directed and empowered by the Spirit to yield spiritual growth and answered prayers through an intimacy with God the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. Fasting and praying was a practice of the Old Testament Jews as a guided relationship with the Living God. Jesus also modeled the same in the wilderness. A corporate fast can be the key to taking your church to the next level in purpose for this year – 2019!