SMR Ministries

✨Fasting should be done with the right motive✨
What is Fasting?
Fasting is not a hunger strike, and it’s not something you do to try and change God’s mind. Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food for spiritual purpose.

Purpose of Fasting

1. To Humble Ourselves Before God in Order to Seek Him One major reason for fasting is to humble ourselves before God so we can truly seek Him. (Matthew 18:4, Matthew 23:12, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6)

2. Fasting is a practical way to humble the soul suppressing the flesh and turning the heart toward God. (Psalm 35:13, Psalm 69:10, Ezra 8:21–23, 2 Chronicles 20:2–3, Leviticus 16:29–31, Acts 27:9, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3–4)

Why Do You Fast?
It’s normal to feel hungry during fasting but when prayer becomes consistent, there’s a shift. Your mind enters a place of spiritual silence and focus. Fasting helps you dominate the flesh and tune into the Spirit.

Matthew 6:17 (KJV): "But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;" Jesus taught that fasting should be intentional, private, and focused on God

3. We fast to draw our heart to God through self-denial (James 4:8 :- "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you")

4. We fast to receive revelation from God’s Word:- Fasting brings light : (Isaiah 58:2) Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
It is not yet revelation until you have the courage to declare what you’ve seen. Revelation is the foundation of conviction and conviction brings confession.

5. We Fast for Divine Intervention ( Jonah 3:5–10) The people of Nineveh fasted, repented, and God showed them mercy.

6. We Fast to Receive Instructions : (Ephesians 4:16) Every part of the body must function by divine instruction for growth and effectiveness.

7. We Fast to Intercede:- Fasting strengthens intercession.
You stand in the gap for others, regions, families, and nations.

( Romans 7:18_ — “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing…” Fasting helps us move beyond flesh, so we can pray effectively.