Fasting is the detonator for revival!

"America and much of the world will, before the end of the year 2000, experience a great spiritual awakening! And this revival will spark the greatest spiritual harvest in the history of the church." This was the word of the Lord to Bill Bright's heart during a forty day fast in 1994. Then shortly before the end of the 40-day fast Bright sensed that such a promise was conditional. Bright was impressed by the Holy Spirit to pray that 2 million believers would go on 40-day fasts to seek God before the year 2001.

Bill Bright's vision has become one of the clearest church-wide trumpet sounds in American church history. The window is still open. Bright's call must not be ignored now. We must press forward in humility, fasting and prayer for the full breakthrough. Familiarity breeds contempt. A dangerous casualness to this call could be our undoing. A massive turning of the revival tide is still needed.

Fasting begets prophets and strengthens strong men. Fasting makes lawgivers wise; it is the soul's safeguard, the body's trusted comrade, the armor of the champion, the training of the athlete. Basil, Bishop of Caesarea (AD 330 - 379)

With this call to enter into extended fasts, we must prepare ourselves adequately so that the fast can honor God and fulfill its purpose. Let me share some thoughts from my experiences and those of others, to help and encourage you.

1. Fast and pray in order to humble yourself and purify your worship. In fasting we are not trying to get something from God, but rather seeking to realign our hearts' affections with His. We do holy violence to the "pleasures which wage war against the soul," opening the way for a greater submission to the Holy Spirit. In fasting we can more readily say, "We love you Lord, more than anything in the world." Lust of any kind is perverted worship, but fasting enables us to cleanse the sanctuary of our hearts from every other rival.

2. Take time to pray and read the Word. This may seem obvious, but busyness and distractions can keep you from devotions. Reading books with testimonies of victories gained through fasting will encourage you.

3. Have a clear target for prayer focus. Without a vision (a clear, prophetic prayer goal) the people perish. During a fast I have four or five prayer goals, that are clearly articulated. When I'm not deeply motivated by a clear goal, I usually fast until break-fast! Write down your vision, so you can run with it.

4. Do the fast with someone else. Two are better than one! We encourage young people to talk this through with their parents before starting the fast. Parents and kids should consider fasting together.

5. If you fail, don't give in to condemnation. The "to fast or not to fast" dilemma can be a major tool of the enemy. Even though you may fail several times, God always extends grace. Once, I gave up on a fast and snuck some yogurt and chips. The next day an intercessor came to me and said, "I saw you in a dream and you were supposed to be fasting, but you were eating yogurt and chips." It was pretty good motivation to start again!

6. Married adults, consider sexual abstinence for the sake of prayer. (1 Cor. 7:5)

7. Make your commitment and determine the length.
• A water-only fast is very difficult, but very effective. Depending on your weight and metabolism, you can go forty days on water alone.
• A fruit or vegetable juice fast allows you to enter into fasting but still gives enough energy to function. Most people can do a 40-day juice fast. Out of consideration for their health and metabolism, I would encourage teenagers to use juice and protein drinks to sustain them.
• A Daniel fast with vegetables and water is good for those carrying a heavy workload (like moms and students). Fasting "meats and sweets" can be done by athletes who can get protein from other food sources.

8. Prepare physically. Two days before you fast, limit your intake of food to fruit and vegetables. Fruit is a natural cleanser and easy to digest. Stop drinking coffee before the fast. Prepare yourself for mental discomforts such as impatience, crankiness and anxiety. Expect physical discomforts. You may experience dizziness, headaches and different kinds of pains. The headaches are not a sign to stop fasting. Your body is working to cleanse itself of impurities.

9. Prepare for opposition. On the day of your fast you can bet donuts will be at the office or in class. Your spouse (or your mom) will suddenly be inspired to cook your favorite meals. Press through. Many times you may feel more tension build at home. My fasts are just as difficult for my wife as for me. Satan tempted Jesus on the fast, and we must expect the same. Discouragement may come in like a flood, but recognize the source and take your stand on the victory of Christ.

10. Fast in secret. Don't boast about your fast but let people know you won't be eating, if you need to.

11. Break the fast over several days with fruit juice or light soups. On a light juice fast or a water fast your digestive system shuts down. This can be dangerous if you eat too much too soon. Break the fast with several days of diluted, non-acidic juice, then regular juice, followed by fruit and vegetables. On one of my early water fasts, I broke it too quickly and almost needed hospitalization. Be careful!

12. Feel free to rest a lot and to continue to exercise.

13. Seek medical advice before the fast.

14. Expect to hear God's voice in the Word, dreams, visions and revelations. Daniel prepared himself to receive revelation through fasting (Dan.10:1,2). There is a fasting reward (Matt. 6:18) Some time ago, a Malaysian brother shared how during a forty day fast he was "caught up into the heavens." After the fast, he took a team into the interior of Borneo and saw a dead woman raised and revival broke out in the village.

15. Breakthroughs often come after a fast, not during it. Do not listen to the lie that nothing is happening. It is my conviction that every fast done in faith will be rewarded.

May thousands of men and women fast, as God leads them, finding a greater intimacy with God the Father; may they be used in the greatest revival we have ever seen. Let the generations arise and fulfill this divine mandate. We have taught our children how to feast and play. Now it is time to teach them to fast and pray! The forty day fast is not just an historic eccentricity in the Bible. It is a model and I believe it is a call for the Last Days generation, standing at the crossroads of time. As we cross over the millennial threshold, let's Fast Forward!