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A few weeks ago the congregation of Mountain View Baptist Church set themselves apart for prayer and fasting. For every day of the week, and for every week through Easter Sunday, someone would be fasting and praying, seeking the Lord on behalf of his brothers and sisters. My family took part in this endeavor. For the first two weeks it seemed the enemy brought a constant barrage of attacks which were manifested in various forms, from emotional lows and doubts of faith to interpersonal conflicts and divisive arguments. Special music sheets prepared for Sunday Morning services would somehow be rearranged making them impossible to play, or disappear altogether. Another person in the church suddenly faced an emotional break-up, while others confessed to their own untimely chance misfortunes. The church was certainly heading in the opposing direction of the Devil, bumping into him often as we marched against the gates of Hell. But Jesus promised that His Church would always prevail in such warfare, no matter how fierce or terrible the fray. He assured His people that His Church would be founded firmly upon the Rock of His Mighty Name and Great Salvation. Yet, though we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, that does not mean our battles will be light, but it does mean our victory!

But I can’t go without eating you say. Medical conditions notwithstanding (Check with your doctor, if necessary.), God has not designed fasting as a way to kill off Christian soldiers; to the contrary, it is designed to empower our spirit that it might have its proper place of dominance over our flesh. Remember, the Scripture says to walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We are so used to indulging our human bodily desires and drives that we simply forget to nourish our spirit. Attending a church service once or twice a week doesn’t cut it. Would you normally think it sufficient to eat once or twice a week? No way! Jesus agreed that our spirit is indeed willing to serve Him, but the flesh is weak, and keeps us from Him. However, if we would seek His face through fasting and prayer, we would find the power that Jesus experienced in His own ministry. Remember that day when the disciples went to buy lunch, and while they were gone Jesus ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well? When the disciples returned Jesus said He had already eaten, and when pressed on the matter He confessed that “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work.” The same is true in our lives as believers. That which will ultimately sustain us is to do the Father’s will, and to finish the work He has prepared for us.

Fasting is very important in spiritual warfare. In fact Jesus noted that there some instances where prayer must be accompanied by fasting in order to be effective. (Matt 17:21; Mk 9:29) And of course, we must have absolute trust in our Father’s faithfulness, for without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The Father loves and wants to bless us, but James reminds us that we should not expect much from faithless prayer. Often we are exhorted by the Scriptures to get serious about our faith, and nothing is more serious in the spiritual realm than fasting and prayer! Fasting weakens our flesh and our doubts, while simultaneously strengthening our spirit and our faith.

Join the fight today, and you’ll quickly discover the battle is already raging about you! However, like Elisha’s servant, may your eyes be opened to see that the angelic forces of flame and fire who are with us are more those who are with them. (2 Kings 6:15-17; Hebrews 1:7, 14) His Word remains true: "The eyes of the LORD scan throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him!" Give yourself to fasting and prayer and you’ll also find that there is still Room at the Cross, Power in the Blood, and Victory in Jesus!