Fasting should be a part of every born-again believer’s life. It may not be required every day, such as in the case of prayer, but it still nonetheless should be a apart of your life.

Scriptures says, “But you, when you pray, go into your room and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place: and your father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:7)

The question about prayer should not be “if” we pray, but rather, “when” we pray. Jesus taught that prayer is essential to our spiritual survival.

Likewise, in the second passage Jesus starts off the say way with fasting by saying; “Moreover when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:16)

Jesus was making the same point with fasting as He was making with prayer. Again, it’s not a question of “if” we fast (because He is telling us that we should fast), but “when” we fast.

I have heard many people say that fasting is not essential They say that fasting is only for church leaders. This could not be further from the truth. While fasting is indeed for spiritual leaders, it is also for every born-again Christian. Satan will attach your life no matter who you are.

So regardless of whether you are a bishop, pastor, minister, or simply a lay member, you need to fast. Fasting is the discipline of abstaining from food for biblical reasons. It is called afflicting one’s soul. It is often practiced to demonstrate the sincerity of our prayers.

There are several biblical reasons for fasting; Christians should fast when facing a national crisis (which we are in right now, banks closing, foreclosures’ etc), (2 Chr. 20:3) for personal individual needs, (Matt 17:21) during distress, (2 Sam 3:35 & Ps 35:13) when facing spiritual decisions (Matt.4:2). Many have found heavy burdens lifted after “fasting” Revival comes from fasting (Is. 58:6). Please remember to spend time alone with God when you fast.

Being a born-again Christian does not exempt you from the attacks of the devil against your life. In fact, it amplifies his attacks against your life. Before you became a Christian, you were on the devils’ side. But once your gave your life to Jesus Christ, you became an enemy against the devil, fasting is not only necessary but also essential.

Living your life without fasting can hinder your spiritual life and result in your being susceptible to the control and domination of Satan rather than by the Holy Spirit. So you see, it’s not a matter of “if” you pray & fast but “when” you do, do it in the way God expects from us in secret!

Dr. Evangelist P.M Wynn can be seen each Sunday @ 10:00 am in Colo. Spgs, on channel 51 & 6. In Denver each Sunday afternoon @ 4:00 pm on channel 53. On Saturday night @ 11:30 pm channel 486 (Denver) channel 151 in (Colo. Spgs) on The Word Network! Email at pmwynn9@msn.com Or write; Heavenly Sent International Ministries, 200 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock, CO 80104