The Christian's Secret Weapon...

Throughout my ministry and Christian walk, I have always felt like I have had a secret weapon in prayer and fasting when faced with difficulties, sickness, confusion, or just straight out attacks from the enemy, Satan. I have always tried to be led of the Lord in using it.

I prayed and fasted in 1981 when I received my calling into the ministry, I wanted make sure I was clearly hearing God. When I faced my first “big battle” as a pastor in a church plant in Rockville, Indiana, I used it when the enemy came against me personally and the young church that I was planting. I have used “the secret weapon” several times as we were childless and watched God perform a miracle in a few short days to bring about a beautiful gift in Gabriel. I used the “secret weapon” once when I was told our church couldn’t buy a particular church building and within a two-week period we raised the down payment and purchased the church. I went to my secret weapon in 1991 when faced with severe headaches every day for a year and was miraculously healed.

In 1998, we didn’t know if we should Indianapolis or stay, but through prayer and fasting God made it evident that this was His plan for Kings Point and for us to come and pastor. Back in 2002, I was very discouraged and ready to leave this church and the ministry. I used the secret weapon of prayer and fasting and God gave me a plan to implement “to disciple and equip people so that they might disciple and equip others.”

Many, many other times in my life and ministry I have used this secret weapon and God has never let me down….He has met with me intimately…drawn me closer to Him…fine tuned me…spoke to me…shown me things…removed obstacles…healed me and delivered me…opened doors for me.

Over the 27 plus years I have practiced fasting, God has taken me to school. He has taught me some things about fasting. One of the big things he has taught me is there is more to fasting that just doing without food. One of the obvious things you see in several different places in the Bible is the connection between fasting, praying, and giving.

Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, are three great Christian duties - the three foundations of the law, say the Arabians: by them we do homage and service to God with our three principal interests; by prayer with our souls, by fasting with our bodies, by alms-giving with our estates.

Another, practice of fasting according to the Old Testament is the removing of bondages, the breaking free of oppression on our lives and that of others.

Another practice of a “true fast” is to stop criticizing, blaming, and gossiping -If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; Isaiah 58:9

God promises many great blessings in the scriptures when we practice the fast that HE HAS CHOSEN…THE KIND OF FAST THAT HE HONORS…ONE THAT IS DONE RIGHT IN HIS EYES.

A true fast unto the Lord will life-altering, life-changing. It first of all changes you! You become broken and humble before the Lord. You see yourself differently and you see others differently. God will give you a compassion for the poor, the hurting, the oppressed. As our soul is afflicted, we become stripped of our pride which causes us to be critical of others, blame, gossip, and murmur. A true fast causes us to depend upon God for nourishment not those things that feed the flesh.

A true corporate fast moves the hand of God in a church or in a nation. In the O.T., you see God moving immediately and mightily when Israel fasted.

Lets take a few minutes and look more closely at those things God’s Word says that makes up the FAST THAT GOD HAS CHOSEN. Look at Isaiah 58:6…

Isaiah 58:6 "The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.

# 1 - Remove or break the chains or bands of wicked oppression

The fast that God has chosen consists in reforming our lives and undoing what we have done amiss (Isa_58:6): To loose the bands of wickedness, the bands which we have wickedly tied, and by which others are bound.

These bands of wickedness must be loosed, or they will bring us into bonds of guilt much more terrible.

There are people here this morning that need chains of oppression broken in your lives. You are living in bondage and it is only going to get worse. You NEED TO BE FREED!

Many of you know friends, family members, or people you work with that live in oppression and need to be set free. YOU ARE NOT HELPLESS, YOU CAN FAST ON THEIR BEHALF AND SEE THEM DELIVERED AND SET FREE.

#2 - Practice Charity (the fast that God chooses)

Isaiah 58:7 Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.

Isaiah 58:10 if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need,

Matthew 6:1 "Make certain you do not perform your religious duties in public so that people will see what you do. If you do these things publicly, you will not have any reward from your Father in heaven.
Mat 6:2 "So when you give something to a needy person, do not make a big show of it, as the hypocrites do in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do it so that people will praise them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full.
Mat 6:3 But when you help a needy person, do it in such a way that even your closest friend will not know about it.
Mat 6:4 Then it will be a private matter. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.

Why is giving in Isaiah 58 and in Matt 6 so closely connected to prayer and fasting, because again as I mentioned early as you become broken and become more humble YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF MORE COMPASSIONATE AND MORE BENEVOLENT TOWARD THE NEEDY, POOR, AND HURTING. This is the kind of spirit that God wants us to have toward others!

#3 – Prayer, Praise, Worship, and Solitude with God

Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Isa 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am].

David spent a lot of time with God without praying. Read the Psalms, you see David in solitude with God, worshipping praising, meditating, and being still before Him. YOU PROBABLY SEE HIM DOING THESE THINGS MORE THAN PRAYING!


Conclusion: Look at how God blesses us when we fast the fast that God has chosen?

Isa 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
Isa 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am].

Isa 58:11 And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things. I will keep you strong and well. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring of water that never goes dry.
Isa 58:12 Your people will rebuild what has long been in ruins, building again on the old foundations. You will be known as the people who rebuilt the walls, who restored the ruined houses."

Mat 6:31 "So do not start worrying: 'Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?'
Mat 6:32 (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things.
Mat 6:33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.
Mat 6:34 So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.


#4 – The Removing of Criticism, Gossip, Blame, and Grumbling

Isa 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isa 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness


#5 – The Fast Itself – abstaining from food

a. A fast that is God’s chosen fast is not abstaining from certain kinds of food….sweets, pop, etc. Daniel was on a vegetable fast and he prayed three times daily.

b. Fasting for the most part in the Bible is abstaining from solid foods. You can just drink water, but if you choose you could drink juices for the stomach’s sake.

c. Length of fasts: 1 day, 3 day, 7 day, 21 day, 40 days.


POWERFUL FACTS ABOUT FASTING & PRAYER

If you do not already know of the power and importance of fasting, here are some very important facts:
• Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, "when you fast," not if you fast.
• Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.

• Fasting is a biblical way to truly hu
mble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."
• Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
• The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!
• Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.
• Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others
• Fasting passes on a spiritual blessing to your children.
• Fasting brings God’s favor upon your life – Isaish 58.
• Fasting brings quick healing – Isaiah 58.
• Increase in God’s protective presence and his prosperty

I know the prospect of going without food for an extended period of time may be of concern to some. But there are ways to ensure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs so you can remain safe and healthy during your fast.
For an extended fast, I recommend water and fruit and vegetable juices. The natural sugars in juices provide energy, and the taste and strength are motivational to continue your fast. Try to drink fresh juices, if possible. Off-the-shelf juice products are acceptable, as long as they are 100% juice with no sugar or other additives.
If you are beginning a juice fast, there are certain juices you may wish to avoid and certain ones that are especially beneficial. Because of their acid content, most nutritionists do not advise orange or tomato juice (these are better tolerated if mixed with equal portions of water). The best juices are fresh carrot, grape, celery, apple, cabbage, or beet. They also recommend "green drinks" made from green leafy vegetables because they are excellent "de-toxifiers."
Fruit juices are "cleansers" and are best taken in the morning. Since vegetable juices are "restorers" and "builders," they are best taken in the afternoon.
I usually dedicate a portion of my 40-day fast to a special liquid formula, which I have found to be effective over many years. A few recipes and my comments are on this page, as well as a helpful schedule.
One gallon distilled water
1-1/2 cup lemon juice
3/4-cup pure maple syrup
1/4-teaspoon cayenne pepper.
The lemon juice adds flavor and vitamin C, the maple syrup provides energy, and the cayenne pepper-an herb-acts to open small blood vessels which, I believe, helps the body as it cleanses itself of stored toxins. (A word of caution: although I use this formula with no ill effects, cayenne pepper could cause severe physical reactions in persons with a specific allergy to this herb.)
My favorite juice is a mixture of 100% pure white grape juice and peach juice. The juice is available in frozen cans under the Welch label. Most knowledgeable nutritionists recommend:
• Watermelon-just put it in the blender without adding water.
• Fresh apple juice
• Green juice-blend celery, romaine lettuce, and carrots in equal proportions. (Vegetable juices like this one are important, for they supply the electrolytes necessary for proper heart function!)
Some nutritionists recommend warm broth, especially if you live in a colder climate. You may find their recipes helpful:
Boil sliced potatoes, carrots, and celery in water. Do not add salt
After about a half-hour, drain off the water and drink.
Gently boil three carrots, two stalks of celery, one turnip, two beats, a half head of cabbage, a quarter of a bunch of parsley, a quarter of an onion, and a half clove of garlic
Drain off the broth and drink up to two or three times daily.
You may find the following daily schedule helpful during your fast. I recommend you print it and keep it handy throughout your fast.
• 5:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Fruit juices, preferably freshly squeezed or blended, diluted in 50 percent distilled water if the fruit is acid. Orange, apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, grape, peach or other fruits are good.
• 10:30 a.m. - noon
Green vegetable juice made from lettuce, celery, and carrots in three equal parts.
• 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Herb tea with a drop of honey. Make sure that it is not black tea or tea with a stimulant.
• 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Broth from boiled potatoes, celery, and carrots (no salt).
I suggest that you do not drink milk because it is a pure food and therefore a violation of the fast. Any product containing protein or fat, such as milk or soy-based drinks, should be avoided. These products will restart the digestion cycle and you will again feel hunger pangs. Also, for health reasons, stay away from caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, or cola. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it has a more powerful effect on your nervous system when you abstain from food. This works both against the physical and spiritual aspects of the fast.
Another key factor in maintaining optimum health during a fast is to limit your physical activity. Exercise only moderately, and rest as much as your schedule will permit (this especially applies to extended fasts). Short naps are helpful as well. Walking a mile or two each day at a moderate pace is acceptable for a person in good health, and on a juice fast. However, no one on a water fast should exercise without the supervision of a fasting specialist.