From the International House of Prayer
Fasting is simply a physical expression of our spiritual hunger and our longing for God. Before we can fast though, it is essential to get a vision for it. Why do we fast? What is our pursuit? What do we gain by fasting?
Without a vision, fasting will become something to be done only occasionally. Instead, we want to institute it as a normal part of our weekly routine. Fasting is more than a suggestion; it is a discipline that must become intricately woven into our lifestyle of prayer.
The purpose of this article is not to expound on fasting, but if you desire more information we recommend getting Mike Bickle’s series on “Benefits and Perils of the Global Bridegroom Fast.” That is available on the IHOP.org website.
Popular Fasts:
The three most common fasts are: 
- Water – this fast is often supplemented with tea
- Juice – A juice fast is 100% juice of fruits and vegetables. V8 heated up, with a few spices is a good change of pace in this fast. Remember to not choose only acidic juices, such as orange and tomato. The lining of your stomach will appreciate the apple juice as well.
- Daniel fast – The Daniel fast is often done as ‘no meats, no sweets’. But, in reading Daniel 1, many people will choose to do this fast as only fruits and vegetables and water, i.e. no breads, pastas, milk, meats or sweets. For those with heavy workloads or those who can’t afford to lose any weight, a protein shake fast is recommended. Having a protein shake and occasional vegetables can create a good fast that is easy to sustain for a long period of time. Go ahead and be creative! It all counts in God’s economy.
Ease into and out of a fast. Many people will try to fast by eating normally, taking one day and then breaking the fast with fast food. It is possible to do this a few times, but if you want to establish a lifestyle of fasting, habits have to change in this area. Ease into a fast by eating only fruits and vegetables for a meal or two (depending on the length of the fast) before starting and ease out of a fast the same way.
Exercise. This may seem odd to emphasize, but to truly establish a lifestyle of fasting, a habit of aerobic exercise on the non-fasting days is needed. You will also appreciate exercise, because long fasts and a lifestyle of fasting will cause your metabolism to drop. Therefore, exercise is great, because it boosts metabolism.
Choose healthy foods. If you are doing a water fast, add a bit of lemon or honey to the water for a little healthy boost of energy. Juice fasts – only drink 100% juice. As already mentioned V8 is wonderful for juice fasts – it can also be warmed up and drunk like a tomato soup. A green tea is wonderful for your body as you fast, because it helps with the detoxification process. It is also helpful for those who are addicted to caffeine, as green tea is caffeinated. However, it is best to try and break caffeine addictions before fasting.
Your body will detoxify. Depending on the intensity and length of your fast, your body will switch into detoxification mode, eliminating many poisons and waste products. Because of bad breath, gum and extra teeth brushing sessions are a good idea for the sake of friends. Because of this process, it is essential to drink a lot of water and fluids. You want to flush out your system.
Depending on the intensity and length of your fast, your body will switch into detoxification mode, eliminating many poisons and waste products. Because of bad breath, gum and extra teeth brushing sessions are a good idea for the sake of friends. Because of this process, it is essential to drink a lot of water and fluids. You want to flush out your system.
Consult your body. Remember to pay attention to what your body is telling you. Sustain your body with frequent small ‘meals’; i.e. continually sip juice, eat several small meals of vegetables and so on. Drink a lot of water! Set goals for yourself with how much water you want to drink in a day and carry around a water bottle with you. Getting dehydrated is not a goal with fasting.
Set Goals. Why are you fasting? What are you going to specifically pray for? Who are you going to pray for? Set Goals for bible reading and study. Maybe you want to read through the New Testament. Challenge yourself and give yourself something to pursue on this fast. Fill up your extra time with the spending time with the Lord.
Get some vision! Search out the scripture, meditate on Matthew 9:14-17, listen to teaching on fasting. Don’t let the lack of vision be an excuse for not fasting. Throw yourself into this lifestyle, create a habit, choose a day of the week and fast.
5 ENEMIES OF FASTED LIFESTYLE
- Elitism - A raging monster that is restrained with great difficulty.
- Legalism - Coping with falling short of standards, discipline motivated by fear of rejection.
- Exhibition
a. Ever present tendency to draw attention to self via manifestations (especially in ministry style).
b. People are desperate to appear especially close to Jesus – they will allow many types of manifestations to give this impression
- Both Jesus and John the Baptist speak total truth while
purposefully leaving out aspects of the whole story. John knows the Gabriel prophesied over his life that he would operate in the spirit of Elijah. John is being humble not wanting to associate himself with the great Elijah.
- Most people are comfortable with leaving false impressions about their spiritually and ministry. They desperately want others to believe more then what is actually true. Imagine, it is God that is calling John “Elijah” and yet John does not push the point before men knowing that the fullness of Elijah was not to be on him. John uses that as a way to escape a rightful association with Elijah that belongs only to the end of the age. What amazing security in God, this was the power of his humility. He doesn’t take any opportunity to tap into that role.
- Isolationism
a. Pressing in without regard for others, nor for realization that we walk in Bridal partnership. The dance of the Great Commission is
a main focus of IHOP – Matt. 11:1b
b.
IOW—anti-servant hood, anti-social, anti-local church, anti-compassion
c.
Premise—fasted lifestyle for second commandment verses self only
d. Some of the monastic movement focused on being free from defilement as their main goal and end in itself. Thus, they saw
involvement with others as being exposed to potential defilement.
The IHOP world sees the pursuit of the First Commandment first as the main focus. Thus, we come into contact with God's fire of love that drives us into the Great Commission with abandonment
- Religious mysticism (beyond boundaries of logos in our ideas and doctrines.)
a. Mis-stewarding sacred embrace = working vs. receiving
b. Attention getting vs. jealous for Jesus’ supremacy
c. Confusion caused to the new ones.
d. Can make others feel lesser.
e. Becomes a trap where people can begin to measure their level of
anointing on others manifestations
f. When a person starts measuring their “revelation” or “anointing”
on others manifestations you can fall into much deception as you
think something is hot that isn’t based in truth, and vise versa.
g. The appearance of mystery by giving fleshly hints yet withholding
the details with motives of self-promotion.
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