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10 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Fast
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Jul 20, 2024
A lot of Christians today don't know the importance of fasting in their spiritual life. Some might already have an idea of what fasting is but they don't see why they have to do it. Today, I want to encourage you to fast on a regular basis by giving you 10 powerful reasons to fast. In this video, I'll share with you what fasting is and why it plays a vital role in your Christian walk. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ 📌 Join our Teach Us to Pray Course ➤ https://becomingchristiansacademy.com/b/teach-us-to-pray-course 📌 Read the blog version of this video here, "10 Compelling Reasons to Fast According to the Bible": https://becomingchristians.com/reasons-why-you-should-fast/ 📌 Join our FREE masterclass, "The 7 Indispensable Qualities of Highly Effective Prayer" ➤ https://becomingchristiansacademy.com/order?link=9bTLV&free_preview_mode=1 📌 Check out our best online courses at Becoming Christians Academy ➤ https://becomingchristiansacademy.com/ ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
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Have you ever wondered why you should fast
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A lot of people would agree that fasting is an important part of our Christian life
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However, only a few can truly tell you the reason why. You see, if you know the importance of fasting and the compelling reasons why you should do it
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I'm sure he'll fast even more regularly. That's why in this presentation I want to share with you the 10 reasons you should fast
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By doing so, you'll gain a strong motivation to fast more and make it your habit
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So, are you ready? Let's dive in. Hello everyone. I'm Joshua Funtado Becoming Christian's Academy, the best online course for you
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if you want to become a zealous, faithful, and blessed child of God
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Sometimes the reason we just don't fast more often is that we don't know why we should do it
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Yes, we know what fasting is and all of us would agree that it is important
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However, unless you truly understand the reasons behind fasting, you will not have enough motivation to do it
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especially when you consider the difficulty of fasting. That's why I'm here to motivate you by sharing 10
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reasons you should fast. Number one, God commands us to fast. Fasting is more than just a religious
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custom. It's a direct call from Yahweh the most high. Think of it as a loving nudge from a caring
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parent, guiding us toward spiritual growth and closeness with God. Throughout the Bible, from the ancient
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text of the Old Testament to the teachings of Yahshua or Jesus Christ the New Testament
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fasting is portrayed not only as a choice but as a sacred duty laid upon believers
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For example, one of the appointed days of God mentioned in Leviticus 23 involves fasting
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We read Leviticus 23 verse 26 to 29. And Yahweh spoke to Moses saying
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Also the 10th day of the 7th month shall be the day of atonement
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It shall be a holy convocation for you. you shall afflict your souls and offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh
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And you shall do no work on that same day for its day of atonement
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to make atonement for you before Yahweh your God. For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people
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The day of atonement is a day of fasting. God tells us that his people are required to fast on the day of atonement
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Failure to do so would result in being cut off from his people
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In the Old Testament, we see prophets like Joel, urging people to fast as a way of reconnecting with God
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of seeking forgiveness and renewal. It's like hitting the post button in life's hectic pace to recalibrate our souls
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And then there's Jesus, or Yeshua, our ultimate example, who didn't just talk about fasting
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but he lived it. He shared with his disciples the importance of fasting
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not as a burdensome obligation, but as a pathway to deeper spirituality
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It's as if he's saying, come, walk this path with me. Let's discover the treasures of the spirit together
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Notice how our master expects his followers to fast. Moreover, when you fast
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do not be like the hypocrites with a sad continent, for they disfigure their faces of that they may appear to men to be fasting Assuredly I say to you they have their reward That Matthew 6 verse 16
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Notice the phrase, when you fast. Christ didn't say if you fast, but rather when you fast
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This is a strong proof that we are to fast. It's not a matter of if, but when
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This is also true when you read Luke 534-35. When Yahshua was questioned why his disciples were not fasting, he responded
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And he said to them, can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast where the bridegroom is with them
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But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them
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Then they will fast in those days. Yeshua already went up to heaven and seated at the right hand of the father
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Thus, it's time for us to fast. So for Christians, fasting isn't merely a checkbox on a religious to-do list
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It's a heartfelt response to God's invitation to draw nearer, to grow in faith, and to align
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our lives more closely with His will. It's an act of love, obedience to surrender, woven into the fabric of our journey of faith
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Number two, fasting gives us more time for spiritual matters. Think about it
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cooking our meals and eating actually takes a lot of time. Let's say it takes 30 minutes to cook your meal and 30 minutes of eating
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then that's equivalent to one hour. If you eat three times a day, then you have a total of three hours of your day
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dedicated to cooking and eating. Now since you're fasting, you don't have to spend three hours of your day cooking and eating
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You can use that for special things as you fast. You can pray more, study the Bible even more, and meditate
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more. Not only that, but you'll be forced to stop your usual activities since you're weak due to
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fasting. So this will give you additional time for spiritual matters. That's how powerful fasting is
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as a tool for our spiritual growth. Number three, fasting follows biblical examples. We fast because
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various biblical characters fast. Think about Moses, Elijah, and David. They are the people who used fasting as a way to get closer to God
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gain inner strength, and seek God's guidance. And then there's Yahshua, properly known as Jesus, our ultimate example
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In the New Testament, we read how Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness
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grappling with temptation and drawing closer to God. His experience speaks volumes, showing us the power and significance
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of fasting in our spiritual lives. Number four, fasting disciplines ourselves. Fasting isn't just
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avoiding food and drink. It's a powerful spiritual tool that shapes us from within. It's like a
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gym for our soul, where we build strength and self-control and reliance on God. When we deny ourselves
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food or other comforts, it's a reminder that our physical desires aren't the only things that matter
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who also fasted on a regular basis, wrote in 1 Corinthians 927
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But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection. Last, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified
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Through fasting, we learn to discipline our bodies and align our hearts with God's will
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deepening our relationship with Him in the process. Number 5 Fasting helps us resist temptation Think of fasting as a kind of spiritual training ground where we strengthen our inner soul against temptation and the lure of sin When we willingly say no to our body natural
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cravings for food or other comforts, it's like flexing our self-control muscles. Remember when Jesus
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faced off against temptation during his 40-day fast in the wilderness, it wasn't easy, but he showed us
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that it's possible to resist even the strongest temptations with fasting. Christ knew very well that for him to overcome Satan
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it is not enough to simply pray. He fasted for additional spiritual boost
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that would eventually allow him to resist the devil. Number six, fasting helps us to repent of our sins
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Fasting is a way for us to ask for forgiveness. It's a way to demonstrate our willingness
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to turn from our wicked ways. It's a way to show our humility before God
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Now, I'm not saying we fast so God will forgive us, but rather we fast as a way to understand the seriousness of our sins
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Fasting is a powerful symbol of repentance and renewal, a tangible way of saying, God, I'm turning back to you
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As the Prophet Joel encourages us in Joel 2, verse 12 to 13
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Now, therefore, says Yahweh, turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning
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So, rend your heart and not your garments. Return to Yahweh your God
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for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness
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He relents from doing harm. Through fasting, we are invited into the deeper relationship
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with a gracious and loving God who offers forgiveness and renewal to all who seek him
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Number seven, fasting aids our prayer. The Bible tells us that we should couple a prayer with fasting
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They are two spiritual tools that come hand in hand. We read Matthew 17, verse 2291
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So Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief, for assuredly, I say to you
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if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move
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Nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting
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As you can see, fasting magnifies the power of prayer. Through prayer and fasting, we become more humble in our approach to God
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stripping us of the cares of this world and focusing on him
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Number eight, fasting helps in building community and unity. Did you know that you can fast together with other believers
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Yes, that's right. It is one of the best ways to build community and unity
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There are times when our pastor would call a church wide fast to seek God's will
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and blessing collectively. Just like prayer, fasting allows us to walk the path of faith together
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In the Old Testament, we read several examples where God calls Israel to fast as a nation
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Also, in the New Testament, particularly in Acts 13 verse 2 to 3, we read
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As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said
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Now separate to me, Barnabas, and soul, for the work to which I have called them
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Then they have fasting, then having fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them away
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The Bible shows us that fasting can be both an individual and collective way to deep in our relationship with God and others Number nine Fasting humbles ourselves before God Fasting reminds us how dependent we are on God
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If it weren't for His blessings, His grace and mercy, all of us have already died long ago
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By abstaining from food and water, we remind ourselves that we are all frail mortals
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that we are simply made of dust. Our life is nothing without God
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Even if you are the richest man, the world, the most famous, the most good-looking
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and even the most powerful, you could easily get weak when you stop eating
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Thus, fasting is a powerful way of humbling ourselves before God. And finally, number 10, fasting prepares and keeps us focused
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Are you at a moment in your life when you're about to make a big decision
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Are you at a crossroads in your life? Do you want more clarity
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If yes, then fasting can help. Fasting serves as a sort of spiritual tuning forth
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helping us attune our hearts to God's frequency in preparation for significant events or challenges
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Just as an athlete trains regularly before a competition, fasting prepares us spiritually for the bottles we face
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It sharpens our focus and heightens our sensitivity to God's leading, enabling us to discern his voice more clearly amidst the noise of life
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As you can see, fasting is truly a powerful spiritual tool that we should never ignore
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There are numerous reasons you should fast, and these should motivate you even more to do it
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in a regular manner. Fasting is truly a way to forge a deeper connection with Yahweh
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undergo personal metamorphosis and align our lives with God's purposes. Through fasting, we don't just deny ourselves, we discover ourselves, our strengths, our weaknesses
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and our deepest longings. It's a pathway to intimacy with God, where our hearts are laid bare and his presence becomes palpable
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Ultimately, fasting is an invitation to dive deeper into the ocean of God's love
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to be transformed by His Grace and to walk in step with divine purposes for our lives
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