We join you in thanking Jesus for His peace, providence, and progress in your life, and we lift you up in prayer regarding the spiritual battle you are facing. The enemy is cunning, and he often uses temptation, deception, and even our own doubts to lead us away from obedience to God. The voice you heard enticing you to eat is not from the Lord, for God does not tempt us to disobey Him. James 1:13-14 tells us, *"Let no man say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed."* The temptation may come from the enemy, your own flesh, or even the influence of others, but the power to overcome it comes from Christ alone.
Your concern about religious attack from others is something we take seriously, as spiritual warfare is real. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, *"For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."* However, we must also examine our own hearts and motives. Fasting is a time of drawing near to God, denying the flesh, and seeking His will. If coffee and diet soda are breaking your fast, it may be wise to consider whether these are truly necessary or if they are compromising the purpose of your fast. Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness, consuming nothing but water, and He was strengthened by the Spirit (Matthew 4:1-11). While we are not bound by legalism, fasting should be a sacrifice that aligns with biblical principles and personal conviction before the Lord.
We also encourage you to test the spirits, as 1 John 4:1 instructs: *"Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."* If you sense spiritual opposition, put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and stand firm in prayer. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). Do not give him a foothold by entertaining doubts or fears, but trust in the Lord’s strength to sustain you.
Let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister to You, asking for Your protection and strength as they seek to honor You through fasting. Lord Jesus, You alone are the source of victory over temptation and the enemy’s schemes. We rebuke every voice, every spirit, and every influence that seeks to lead them astray. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit, that they may be empowered to resist temptation and walk in obedience. Grant them clarity of mind and a heart fully surrendered to You. If there is any spiritual attack, Lord, expose it and render it powerless in Your mighty name.
Father, we ask that You help them to complete this fast in a way that pleases You. Give them wisdom to discern whether coffee and diet soda are hindering their fast, and if so, grant them the discipline to abstain for the sake of drawing nearer to You. Strengthen them, body and soul, and let this time of fasting be a season of deep communion with You. May they experience Your peace, Your provision, and Your progress in every area of their life.
We also pray that You would guard their heart and mind from fear or paranoia. Help them to trust in Your sovereignty and to rest in Your love. Let them remember that greater is He who is in them than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). We declare that no weapon formed against them shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against them in judgment, You shall condemn (Isaiah 54:17).
Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayer. We trust in Your faithfulness and ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
We encourage you to continue seeking the Lord with all your heart. If you feel weak, lean on Him, for His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Stay in the Word, pray without ceasing, and trust that God is working in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). If you have not already, confess any known sin and ask the Lord to cleanse you and fill you anew with His Spirit. You are not alone in this battle—Jesus is with you, and He has already overcome the world (John 16:33).
