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What Happens During A Fast?

Part 5

By Sang Wan Choi

"Every time I fasted I established a new spiritual dimension in my life and had new spiritual authority with people." - George Pitt

Being On The Alert:

As we enter into our final 3 day period of fasting, we need to be even more aware and on guard against the activities of the enemy.

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8-9

Anytime that you enter into a time of fasting and prayer, the enemy is not happy since he never wants God to pour Himself on His people. In order to tempt you to abandon your goal, Satan will try to: 1) make you too hungry, 2) put other thoughts in your mind, 3) tempt you to quit, 4) interrupt your schedule, 5) discourage you, and 6) generally attack your fast.

Assured Victory:

Although the scripture in 1 Peter 5:8 describes the devil prowling "like" a roaring lion, we can stand in faith knowing that God has given us the power to overcome these temptations and attacks. The scripture promises that "all" the power of the enemy can be overcome, not just "some".

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome ALL the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." Luke 10:19

Victory is a continuous process, not just a one-time event. Therefore in order to encourage the work of God in your life, you will need to press into His presence on a continual basis even after the fast has finished. Be prepared for God to work. Sometimes our tendency is to "box" God in with certain expectations of how we think He should and will manifest Himself. But when we start seeing things in His perspective, the boundaries and possibilities of what God can do are endless. Therefore "enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back." (Isaiah 54:2)

"The ability of God is beyond our prayers, beyond our largest prayers! I have been thinking of some of the petitions that have entered into my supplication innumerable times. What have I asked for? I have asked for a cupful, and the ocean remains! I have asked for a sunbeam, and the sun abides! My best asking falls immeasurably short of my Father's giving: it is beyond that we can ask." -John Henry Jowett (1864-1923)