Introduction: A Kingdom Call to Prayer and Fasting
Before we dive into a short teaching, can we pause for just a moment and give God praise? Come on, say it with me: “Thank You, Jesus. Yes, Lord.” Whether you’re whispering it, shouting it, or typing it into the chat, let your spirit come into alignment with this declaration. If you’re new to this gathering—welcome! We’re glad you’re here. You’ve just entered a sacred space where the Holy Spirit is moving.
Today’s message is part of our Wednesday teaching series on Fasting and Prayer. If you’re joining midstream, don’t worry. You’re in the right place. Connect with the brother or sister who invited you, and they’ll help you stay plugged in for the rest of the month.
The Foundation: Fasting Is Not Just About You
Let’s be honest—many of us have approached fasting the wrong way. We’ve fasted for personal breakthroughs, blessings, and even miracles. And while there’s nothing wrong with desiring God’s help, the core purpose of fasting goes beyond ourselves.
Look at Genesis 12:3: “I will bless you… so that you will be a blessing.” Fasting is a divine setup for you to bless others. The greatest saints in the Bible fasted before battle, before ministry, before delivering nations. Moses fasted. Esther fasted. Jesus fasted. And not for personal gain—but for purpose.
Fast for your school. Fast for your workplace. Fast for the soul of your children. Fast for your church. Fast for your neighborhood. Deliverance isn’t just personal—it’s communal.
Fasting and Prayer: Two Sides of the Same Coin
When I say “fasting,” I don’t just mean abstaining from food. And when I say “prayer,” I don’t mean simply saying words. These are not two separate spiritual disciplines—they are intertwined. One fuels the other. Prayer without fasting is incomplete. Fasting without prayer is just a diet.
Jesus said in Matthew 17:21, “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” If you want power, you need both.
Think of it like this: Prayer is your badge of authority. Fasting is your weapon. When you combine the two, you’re walking in full Kingdom power.
Dr. Myles Munroe, in his foundational work Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer, explains that prayer is earthly permission for heavenly interference. Fasting sharpens your sensitivity to God’s voice and aligns your spirit to heaven’s agenda.
Why Some of Us Feel Spiritually Dry
Ever feel spiritually dry—even when you know you love God? You’re saved, but not stirred. Sanctified, but not satisfied. You don’t want to pray. You don’t want to go to church. You feel no hunger for the Word.
Here’s the truth: You’re feeding your flesh more than your spirit.
Social media, entertainment, distractions, opinions of others—it’s all noise that crowds out the voice of God. The more you invest in your flesh, the more it grows. The more you feed your spirit, the more it matures. You are made of two men—flesh and spirit. Whichever one you feed is the one that grows (Galatians 5:17).
Breakthrough and Difficult Situations: The Power of the Fast
Joel 1:12–14 paints a picture: “The vine is dried up, the fig tree is withered… joy is withered away from the sons of men.” Sound familiar? Some of you feel like the joy has been drained from your life. Your finances are tight, your family is broken, and your passion is low.
But Joel doesn’t stop there. He calls for a holy fast (Joel 1:14).
And by chapter 2, everything changes: “Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the former rain faithfully…” (Joel 2:23)
God restores. God revives. God replenishes. But He moves when we fast and pray.
Fasting Activates Vision and Restoration
Joel 2:28 declares, “I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
Fasting reactivates vision. You’ll begin to dream again. You’ll hear clearly again. God isn’t just the Restorer—He’s the Creator. If He has to create new cartilage in your knee, new clarity in your mind, new hope in your heart—He will do it (Romans 4:17).
Prayer Books to Deepen Your Walk
If you’re looking to grow deeper in this discipline, here are a few resources I highly recommend:
- Secrets of a Prayer Warrior by Elizabeth Alves — Learn to hear God’s voice and walk in daily victory.
- The Power of the Decree by Patricia King — Understand how decrees, paired with prayer, bring transformation.
- Authority in Prayer by Dutch Sheets — Learn to pray with boldness, purpose, and prophetic accuracy.
- Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer by Dr. Myles Munroe — Foundational teaching on prayer from a Kingdom perspective that clarifies our responsibility and authority on Earth.
Final Word: Prayer and Fasting Go Together
Remember this: When I say prayer, I mean fasting. When I say fasting, I mean prayer. They go together—two sides of the same coin. Don’t wait for a corporate call to fast. Make it your lifestyle. Set aside Wednesdays, or any day the Lord leads, and stay consistent.
Let’s fast for the healing of diabetes. Let’s fast for the deliverance of those trapped in human trafficking. Let’s fast for revival in the nations.
Declare it with me: “I will fast and pray. I will fast and pray. I will fast and pray.”
And remember this—just like “Yes, Lord” and “Thank You, Jesus,” fasting and prayer belong together.
Amen and God bless you.
Let’s keep the conversation going. How has fasting and prayer transformed your life or walk with God? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you!
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