The Fast & Prayer That Produces Results

The Fast & Prayer That Produces Results

By Apostle Felix

1  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Acts 13: 1 – 3

16  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
17  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 

Matthew 6: 16 – 18

Fasting and prayer that produce results require us to submit entirely to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We see this clearly in the early church: when the believers fasted and prayed, the Holy Spirit instructed them to separate Barnabas and Paul for the specific work God had called them to do. They did not try to dictate terms to the Holy Spirit; instead, they submitted to His guidance. Many believers mistakenly fast to change God’s mind, but God is unchangeable. He cannot be manipulated by the length or intensity of our fasts. Rather, the true purpose of fasting is to remove the physical and digital distractions that prevent us from focusing on Him. Therefore, as we fast, let us commit to staying away from both food and social media for at least twelve hours each day. This discipline helps us build personal spiritual boundaries, positioning us to hear from God with absolute clarity.