Corrosive Fasting That Opens Heaven

By Bishop Blessing Samuel

A NEW LEVEL OF DIVINE VISITATION!

Throughout the ages, fasting has been an effective tool used by God's people to deepen their relationship with God and cause signs and wonders upon the earth. Every major move of God in nations and in the life of indi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cornerstone Publishing
• Release date: Oct 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781952098284

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Fasting is not an entirely new subject to many people. Over the years, many people, even non-Christians have engaged themselves in this exercise. If that be the case, then why write a book on fasting, some may want to ask. Truth is, although fasting is a common practice among people of different religious backgrounds, it is one of the most misinterpreted principles in Christendom today. Very few understand what biblical fasting is, and that is why different people have different ideologies or perspectives about it. Because of this lack of understanding, many do not fast correctly and consequently, they don’t see the anticipated results of their fasts.

One of the reasons for this is because, unlike ordinances like the Lord’s Supper, the Bible does not give a mandatory instruction or directive regarding fasting that we must follow. Nevertheless, there are patterns and examples in the Scripture that foreground the prime place and importance of fasting in the life of children of God.

Throughout the Bible, we see that fasting is a tool that has been used by God’s people from inception and it is still an effective way for Christians to commune with and deepen their relationship with God. Examples from the Holy Bible also show that believers in the Old and New Testaments fasted and prayed before every major act or move of God. They saw fasting as one of the defining characteristics of the people of God.

Unfortunately, because some do not have a comprehensive understanding of what exactly fasting is and what it is not, quite a large spectrum of the Body of Christ have abused this wonderful activity. As Myles Munroe once said, if purpose is not discovered, abuse is inevitable. Some have even completely relegated it to the background as something that is unnecessary. According to Derek Prince, fasting is one of the lost keys to successful Christian living that has been largely set aside and misplaced by the contemporary church. This indeed is a sad development.

What I have set out to do in this book, therefore, is simple, straightforward and strategic. I’ll be providing answers to the questions many people have asked at various times: what is fasting? How do I fast correctly? Are there principles for fasting? Why do I fast and it seems nothing changes? How often should I fast? These and many others are the questions this book will be providing answers to.

I do believe that this book will be a blessing to you and to all who will read it. Be blessed!

CHAPTER 1

GATEWAY TO THE SUPERNATURAL

Fasting in the biblical sense is choosing not to partake of food because your spiritual hunger is so deep, you determination in intercession so intense, or your spiritual warfare so demanding that you have temporarily set aside even fleshly needs to give yourself to prayer and meditation.

—Wesley Duewel

Fasting is voluntarily refraining from food and (or) water and pleasurable activities for spiritual purposes. Basically, it is deliberate abstinence from basic necessities and personal comfort to fix your gaze upon the Saviour. It is setting aside a particular time or period apart to be with God. It is a time separated to God, a period of waiting on Him.

Notice that I used the word waiting on God. This means that fasting is you separating yourself for God. You’re consecrating yourself at a particular period of time to pray and seek the face of God. You should also notice from the definition that fasting is by choice, not something to be forced. Also, fasting is God’s chosen way by which a Christian can deepen and strengthen his or her prayer life and spiritual stamina. As Wesley L. Duewel once said, "You will be poorer spiritually and your prayer life will never be what God wants it to be until you practice the privilege of fasting."

WHAT FASTING IS NOT

Let me inform you that fasting is not about simply just staying away from food; it is putting yourself in a mood of total communion with God. It is neither a hunger strike nor converting hunger or lack of food to a fast. And it is certainly not dieting.

If fasting were only about staying away from food, then it would mean that when you break the fast by eating, then you can do anything thereafter. But fasting is way beyond just staying away from food. There are some people who naturally don’t like food—they can stay a day without food. I have a friend who can eat just one apple throughout the day and he can go on like that for days, eating just an apple each day because he has no appetite for food. And this guy is not even born again. So, if fasting were all about not eating, then this guys and many others like him should be enjoying divine visitation more than any other person on earth; but fasting goes way beyond that.

In some cases, as you will see later on, you can even eat and still be fasting, because it is not just about what you put in your stomach or what you do not put there. It is your spirit being active and ready to receive from God. Interestingly, there are some people do not even brush their teeth or take their bath or dress well because, according to them, they are fasting. When such people are fasting, everybody around them knows because they look so downcast and unkempt. The truth however is that such deliberate showiness is nothing but false fasting. True spiritual fasting doesn’t stop you from looking good.

Moreover, fasting is not about debate or competition. You do not fast to prove that you are better than someone else or that you can do what someone else cannot do. Fasting is between you and God; you are separating yourself for God. This means that fasting is not done for frivolity. It is not a time for anything that displeases God.

When you fast, you come with an open heart before God; you’re focused on God. During this period, you are expected to sanctify your mind, your thought and your tongue. During fasting you do not talk too much or talk anyhow. You do not think negative because whatever you do in your mind goes a long way to affect your spirit. The success and failure of your fast begins in your mind. You cannot be fasting and your mind is thinking evil. You have to sanctify your mind.

Fasting is not a crash program; it is an exercise that you prepare for. This is why