By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
Some time ago, I had a talk about the value of prayer and fasting on my radio show. There were interesting responses. One listener said it was not applicable any longer. The vast majority of listeners, however, testified that they had experienced God’s presence in their lives in a fresh way during a time of fasting and prayer and many testified about breakthroughs. Amongst these testimonies were listeners testifying about financial breakthroughs, relief from emotional pain, marriages restored, depression healed, communities transformed, children being set free from the clutches of a drug addiction and one listener even testified that she became pregnant during a time of fasting after doctors said it was impossible for her to have her own children. This is what God can do.
Was it the fasting that made the difference? No. It was God. The fasting was merely an opportunity and manner in which a person or persons started looking away from the challenge and to focus on God. As they did it, they experienced their hearts start to beat with God’s. That made the difference.
What is fasting? Fasting is when we refrain ourselves from food (sometimes water too) to seek God’s face. It is not a magic formula or a quick way to lose weight. Nor is it a way to manipulate God to give us what we require. It is a season in which we seek God’s presence regardless of receiving a breakthrough or not.
Is it biblical to fast? Throughout the Bible, we read about believers fasting to seek God’s face. Esther fasted for three days before pleading with the king for the Jews’ survival; Daniel and his friends fasted for 21 days while in exile for wisdom; Jesus fasted for 40 days before starting His ministry and even in the Book of Acts we read that believers fasted and prayed before major decisions were taken.
How to fast? In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus said, “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth . . . when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Do you need a breakthrough in your family, your workplace, your financial situation, or even in your marriage? In Mark 9:29 the disciples asked Jesus why they struggled to cast out some evil spirit. Only Jesus could do it. He answered that the hold of some evil spirits can only be broken by prayer and fasting. Is it not perhaps time for you to consider a period of fasting in which you can seek God’s face? Regardless of receiving a breakthrough or not, I can guarantee you, you will not be the same when your heart starts beating with His. God bless.
Father God, thank you that I can draw closer to you during a season of fasting. Lead me by your Holy Spirit, so my heart will start beating with yours about my challenges. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
• Do you have a testimony of what God has done in your life? Also for any help or questions about the theme, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Some time ago, I had a talk about the value of prayer and fasting on my radio show. There were interesting responses. One listener said it was not applicable any longer. The vast majority of listeners, however, testified that they had experienced God’s presence in their lives in a fresh way during a time of fasting and prayer and many testified about breakthroughs. Amongst these testimonies were listeners testifying about financial breakthroughs, relief from emotional pain, marriages restored, depression healed, communities transformed, children being set free from the clutches of a drug addiction and one listener even testified that she became pregnant during a time of fasting after doctors said it was impossible for her to have her own children. This is what God can do.
Was it the fasting that made the difference? No. It was God. The fasting was merely an opportunity and manner in which a person or persons started looking away from the challenge and to focus on God. As they did it, they experienced their hearts start to beat with God’s. That made the difference.
What is fasting? Fasting is when we refrain ourselves from food (sometimes water too) to seek God’s face. It is not a magic formula or a quick way to lose weight. Nor is it a way to manipulate God to give us what we require. It is a season in which we seek God’s presence regardless of receiving a breakthrough or not.
Is it biblical to fast? Throughout the Bible, we read about believers fasting to seek God’s face. Esther fasted for three days before pleading with the king for the Jews’ survival; Daniel and his friends fasted for 21 days while in exile for wisdom; Jesus fasted for 40 days before starting His ministry and even in the Book of Acts we read that believers fasted and prayed before major decisions were taken.
How to fast? In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus said, “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth . . . when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Do you need a breakthrough in your family, your workplace, your financial situation, or even in your marriage? In Mark 9:29 the disciples asked Jesus why they struggled to cast out some evil spirit. Only Jesus could do it. He answered that the hold of some evil spirits can only be broken by prayer and fasting. Is it not perhaps time for you to consider a period of fasting in which you can seek God’s face? Regardless of receiving a breakthrough or not, I can guarantee you, you will not be the same when your heart starts beating with His. God bless.
Father God, thank you that I can draw closer to you during a season of fasting. Lead me by your Holy Spirit, so my heart will start beating with yours about my challenges. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
• Do you have a testimony of what God has done in your life? Also for any help or questions about the theme, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..