Above the words of Isaiah 58 in the New International Version are the words, “True fasting.” In this chapter, God is revealing to Isaiah the difference between man’s idea of fasting and God’s vision for fasting. Isaiah 58:6 illuminates this, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loosen the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.”
This is the freedom fast, where prayer yields bodies of believers to seek God’s power for justice to prevail worldwide and where denominations will put aside their theological differences to call on the Holy Spirit to breakdown the barriers that separate us from being one body in Christ. As believers join this concert of prayer, we must call on angelic forces to tear down any existing spiritual strongholds that are holding back spiritual revival. As we fast, we must have a heart like Nehemiah within Nehemiah 1, confessing our sins, humbling ourselves before the Lord and weeping for those who are in bondage to sin. Ultimately, the goal of this fast to experience freedom that we have in Christ, to live life to the full, John 10:10.
Once Christians begin this journey together, please feel free to share your experience with us on this site. The Fasting Edge is a great resource book to read prior or during your fast. While its rare to see people tear their garments or put a sackcloth over their head like the Old Testament, God still uses desperate times to move believers to fast.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 