The Benefits of Fasting Before the Lord Jesus Christ

On By J. WilliamsIn Spiritual Warfare, Demonology

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Here is something that is extremely underutilized among Christians: Fasting.  Jesus says to us in Matthew 6:16, “When you fast…” not … “If you fast”. A true disciple of the Lord will fast at times.

Fasting accompanied by prayer is a powerful weapon against the enemy!

I remember years ago I was being harassed by a particular evil spirit. I would rebuke it, but it would continually return. I resorted to fasting against it in the name of Jesus. This is, if I remember correctly, the first time I have ever fasted. I didn’t eat anything for about 4-5 days and only drank water or juice. When I ended the fast, the demon showed up in my bedroom enraged. The hairs on my body stood straight. The environment in my bedroom was heavy with evil and fear as the demon confronted me. I felt like it wanted to rip my head off right then and there. It communicated to my spirit angrily, “Why did you fast against me?” Soon after, the demon stopped harassing/attacking me. That was when I realized how powerful fasting can be, especially in the realm of spiritual warfare.

Jesus said some kinds of demons won’t even come out unless a person prays and fast. He said, “however, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting“ (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29 KJV) Sometimes prayer alone isn’t enough to break fortified strongholds and yokes of bondage.

Other purposes of fasting are:

1. To honor God – (Mt 6:16-18, Luke 2:37, Acts 13:2, Mt 5:6).

2. Repentance and to humble oneself (1 Kings 21:7; Jonah 3:5; Psalm 51; Psalms 35:13; Jer. 29:11-14, James 4:8-10).

3. For revelation – God’s vision and will or enhancing spiritual discernment; believers fasted before they made important decisions – (Dan 9:3, 20-21, Dan 10:2-10, 12-13; Acts 3:13, 13:2, 14:23).

4. Revival – personal and corporate – (Acts 1:4, 14 / 2:16-21, Joel 2:12-18).

5. Though this should not be a reason to fast in and of itself — we get rewards when we fast to honor God in some way, done in humility, for Christ-like reasons – (Matt. 6:17-22). But make sure it is not done in pride and have it be done in secret.

6. For protection. Ezra the priest fasted for God’s protection while carrying valuable things for God’s temple. We too can fast for God’s protection (Ezra 8:21-23).

7. For full-time ministry and mission work — The church in Antioch fasted and ministered to God, which resulted in the launching of Paul and Barnabas’ apostolic ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 13:2,3).

8. Polycarp in 110 A.D., urged fasting upon the saints as a powerful aid against temptation and fleshly lusts.

The duration of biblical fasts varies:

Some fasted all night (Daniel 6:18; Acts 10:30).

Some just one day (Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6).

The Jews had a corporate fast of three Days (Esther 4:16).

Cornelius – (an unconverted, Gentile Soldier), fasted for four days. “…and Cornelius said: ‘Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house…’” (Acts 10:30).

The Israelites fasted for seven days (1 Samuel 31:13).

Daniel did a partial fast for 21 days (Daniel 10:2-3).

Moses, Elijah, and Jesus fasted for forty days  (Exodus 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8; Matthew 4:2)

Some may ask how long should I fast? I can only speak for myself. I feel that fasting becomes really effective after the 3rd or 4th day without food.

Seek God and try to be led by the Holy Spirit to know how to go about the fast.

16 thoughts on “The Benefits of Fasting Before the Lord Jesus Christ”

  1. womaninlovewithjesus

    I love when I find what I believe GOD has shown me in other people’s articles or posts or videos or books!

    For me, that is confirmation by THE HOLY SPIRIT.

    I have been under satanic witchcraft attack, which almost killed me, for almost 6 years and nothing seemed to work, no spiritual warfare seemed to be able to bring about my victory in JESUS’ name.

    Only when I did a 52 days long Daniel fast was my situation beginning to turn to my favor and did the authority given to me by THE FATHER to fight these beasts increase!
    I can only agree that fasting is a powerful tool to sharpen our spiritual swords in order to defeat the enemy in the ongoing war and claim our victory in JESUS’ name.

    Thank you for sharing your findings and encouraging others!
    May THE LORD bless you richly in all areas of your life for your good work and may many souls be saved because of THE TRUTH you are publishing here!

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      1. I had fasted 2-3 days before.At end of my fasting. I was attacked in my sleep by several demons. They are so angry at me. I remember their faces and their eyes is so furious red. And full of hatred. I remember I speak the name of Jesus and I woke up. Praise God. It’s real in spiritual world. This is noy the first time. I always.have visions and dreams mostly about the end times and catastrophic scenes. May God have mercy and bless us all. in Jesus name. Amen

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    2. Hannah

      I want to fast for 3-4 days like you said, but I am a petite woman and I thought I needed medical supervision. I am an ex newager who’s experienced psychic attack before. I had sex with my partner twice as I was leaving, but I repented of those sins.
      Before that I was pretty much celibate, but we both suddenly had needs. I honestly don’t want to do it again as I make my leave, as I don’t want to open any more doors til the strongholds are gone. How long do you think I should fast?

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  2. Hannah

    I want to fast for 3-4 days like you said, but I am a petite woman and I thought I needed medical supervision. I am an ex newager who’s experienced psychic attack before. I had sex with my partner twice as I was leaving, but I repented of those sins.
    Before that I was pretty much celibate, but we both suddenly had needs. I honestly don’t want to do it again as I make my leave, as I don’t want to open any more doors til the strongholds are gone. How long do you think I should fast?

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      1. Hannah

        Well, I fasted for a day and a half

        ( I took 3 multivitamin gummies and drank water and a cup of juice. I didn’t know that the gummies could break a fast )

        I had sexual dreams and disturbances in the recent past but so far since the fast it’s only been one ‘nightmare’

        I was jumped out of my sleep and felt fear. I think I saw a face for a split second in the dream. It was black everywhere and the face was kind of horrendous. It was only for a second so I didn’t know what it was or what it meant. I’ve been asking the Holy Spirit for guidance but idk..I don’t like saying I can’t hear anything. I initially just wanted to do 3 days. I wasn’t sure if that’s what the Holy Spirit wanted.

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  3. Hannah

    Well, it’s day 3 of my fast and today I responded to my partner ( I guess ) as far as asking him what he learned in his church ( he’s a Jehovah Witness but I already know I don’t subscribe to that. I was just being nice )

    And I just got angry because I keep seeing synchronicities. Normally I just ignore them but on my way out of New Age I really don’t want to see them.

    Do I need to start over?

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  4. Hannah

    What drove me to want to fast is your website. I thought to myself that fasting would be good getting out of that. I wasn’t being tormented per se but I had negative thoughts, sexual dreams, and would see synchronicities still, even as I made my way out. That’s why I did the fast

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  5. Caitlyn D

    I just want to say, bless you for creating this website. Please never take it down, and someone archive it! After experiencing a traumatizing demonic attack, this website and the resources you’ve provided have been the only helpful ones that don’t accuse me of being crazy. You are truly doing God’s work and helping educate others like myself, who never learned most of this information IN MY CHURCH! I will reach out to you via email if I have any other experiences or concerns, I may need help and prayers. Take care.

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  8. Anonymous

    After reading some comments I just want to clarify, what Jesus said about deliverance from demons.

    1. Putting the verse in context Jesus was talking to his disciples about praying & fasting in order to deliver OTHER people. Though self deliverance is possible, that’s not the context. You may want to seek out a born again believer to deliver you. Jesus said, where two or more are gathered in His name, He will be there also.
    2. Also, one has to be born again. Sins atoned for by the blood of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for the atonement, forgiveness of sin. In which the Holy Spirit now takes up residence in the believer. Bringing the believer into a covenant with God. Only then will you have Jesus’ POWER to deliver any evil spirits, only in His name!
    3. Prayer & fasting in and of its self has no power without the cleansing of the blood of Jesus. It’s only a POWERLESS ritual and religion. Requires RELATIONSHIP.

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