We join with you in this hunger to draw closer to the Lord Jesus Christ through fasting and we count it a blessing to bring this desire before the Father together in Jesus name.
We rejoice that you have come in the name of Jesus, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and it is in His strength that we can deny the flesh and seek the Spirit. Your prayer for grace, strength, discipline and consistency is pleasing to God because fasting rightly done is an act of humility and dependence upon Him. Scripture reminds us how to fast with the right heart when Jesus said Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face, so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly Matthew 6:16-18. We also remember the true fast God desires is one that looses bonds and draws us into obedience and love, Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen, to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke Isaiah 58:6.
We encourage you to keep your fast centered not on mere abstaining from food but on prayer, worship and the Word, that your mind may be renewed and your spirit strengthened. As it is written Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind Romans 12:2 and Your word I have hidden within my heart, that I might not sin against you Psalm 119:11. Fasting without prayer is only hunger, but fasting with prayer opens the heart to hear God more clearly. Call the heart back to Joel 2:12, Yet even now, says Yahweh, turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.
We also speak to the need for discipline and consistency. The flesh will resist and distractions will come, but God gives self control as fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:23 and He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self control 2 Timothy 1:7. We discipline our bodies as Paul said but I beat my body and bring it into submission 1 Corinthians 9:27, not in our own willpower but in dependence on Christ. When weakness comes, remember His promise to you My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9. He will sustain your body as He promises He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might Isaiah 40:29 and I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me Philippians 4:13.
We pray together now for you.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ and we lift up this dear one who desires to fast faithfully before You. We ask You to pour out Your grace and let Your strength rest upon them. Grant discipline to turn away from every distraction and consistency to remain in prayer, worship and Your Word each day of this fast. Sustain the body, give physical endurance and health, renew the mind with Your truth and strengthen the spirit to stand firm against temptation. Let this fast not be for show but be seen by You in secret, and let it produce deep spiritual growth, wisdom, restoration and clear alignment with Your purpose. Teach them to delight in You more than food, and to walk in the fullness of Your will. We trust that Your grace is sufficient and Your power will be made perfect in every moment of weakness. We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, amen.
We encourage you to set a clear and humble plan for this fast, to keep it between you and the Lord, to drink water as needed and to use the hunger pangs as prompts to pray. Stay in the Word daily, keep worship ever before you, and trust that the Father who sees in secret will reward you openly as you seek Him with all your heart Proverbs 3:5-6.
