During the month of January I called the Calvary family to 7 days of prayer and fasting.  Here are a couple of emails I received this past week:

“Hello Pastor Ben!  I was living a life of sin and it caused my divorce 6 years ago.  I’ve held on to guilt, shame, regret, depression, sadness…you name it.  Last month when you called us to prayer and fasting…I joined in.  As I focused more on God and less on myself…God set me free from so much baggage that has held me back.  God’s doing it!  It’s working!  My family and I have just completed the Journey (New Members Classes) and I now serve in First Impressions.  I also started tithing this year.  I can’t believe it!  I’ve paid off thousands in debt and have been given a promotion at work.  If it weren’t for God and the CC family…I would’ve given up!  Thank you! By the way, I’ve made a commitment to prayer and fasting every month this year.”

“Pastor Ben: I’m a single parent raising two teenage boys.  Over the past couple of years my relationship with one of my sons ended.  He moved out of the house and stopped coming to the worship services at CC.  When you asked us to fast last month, I purchased the book that you recommended.  I’m new to prayer and fasting.  During my 7 days of fasting, I prayed that my son would turn back to God and that our relationship would be restored.  Pastor, since that time our relationship has been restored and he’s been back to CC the last two weeks.  I thank God for answered prayers!”

Check out Isaiah 58:6: “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”

Why does fasting play such an important spiritual role in our lives? There are seven reasons:

• Lamentation – Fasting brings about the deep concern of the Christian’s heart. It is brokenness and complete surrender to God. When David had a child that was sick and dying, for many days he fasted and prayed in sorrow until the child went to heaven.
• Protection – Oftentimes in the Bible when God’s people were in grave danger, it prompted the people to fast. Whether it’s emotional, physical, spiritual, or mental bondage, you can cry out to the Lord, fast, and ask God for deliverance.
• Humiliation – In Psalm 32:1-5, David was under deep conviction because of his sin with Bathsheba, so he fasted, prayed, and repented. When you want to get right with God, free yourself of any physical obstacle and go humbly before God to confess your sin.
• Revelation – Fasting reveals tremendous truth to you and helps you reveal truth to others. When you need a word from God, begin fasting. Fasting also has a connection with proclaiming God’s Word. Both Jesus and Paul often fasted before they began ministering to others.
• Condemnation – The fear of judgment in Scripture oftentimes drove people to fast. You and I should daily seek revival in our world by praying, fasting, and asking God to move powerfully in our hearts and the hearts of people.
• Selection – In the early church, the people prayed and fasted before they sent out others for special tasks and spiritual leadership. We must pray that the Lord would send forth laborers to the harvest, and well as reveal what you and I are to be doing to further the kingdom of God.
• Direction – The servants of Isaac fasted when seeking a bride for him. And Paul fasted while waiting and watching for the will of God. You are to fast and pray when making a decision—whether it is about marriage, school, finances, family, and so on.

Are you willing to take your spiritual walk to a higher level? Are you ready to become a totally devoted follower of Jesus Christ? God wants to release His power through you and He will when you become emptied of yourself so that you can be completely occupied by Him.