Text: Hebrews 10:35-39
Memory text:
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Some believers think that fasting is optional and that they don’t need to fast, as long as they pray. Jesus said, “When you fast”, not “If you fast.” Fasting is essential for spiritual vitality. Jesus didn’t fast because He was weak; He fasted to stay strong.
Likewise, fasting doesn’t replace prayer; it intensifies it. This truth is further established here: “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matt 17:21). Someone said, “Prayer moves things; fasting breaks things.”
Another excuse some people give for not fasting is that it makes them too weak or dizzy. Yes, that may happen at the beginning. But weakness is part of the process. It’s God’s way of breaking the dominion of the flesh to cause it to surrender. In this way, the spirit takes its lead, and God’s power is made perfect in weakness. “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10). So, the body may grow weak, but in reality, the spirit grows stronger.
It’s also so common to hear of the excuse of having bad health conditions. They claim that their medical condition does not permit them to fast. While some excuses are actually sincere, many only use “health” as a cover for their laziness and lack of desire. It’s unfortunate how some people intentionally invite into their lives, the sickness that others are earnestly praying against in their lives! (Prov 18:21). As an undergraduate, I was diagnosed with severe stomach ulcer and was given a list of ‘dos and don’ts’ in addition to my medications. One of the don’ts was that I must not leave my stomach without food, that is, fasting was out of the way for me. At the start, I strictly followed the medical advice, but I was not excited that I had to be kept from fasting and be labeled an ulcer patient. Later, I began to act on my faith, skipping a meal instead of two meals to join in a fasting program. Though it wasn’t without its challenges, I never gave in. After some time, I began to skip two meals until the ulcer symptoms completely disappeared. I believed that God honoured my faith. God has no business removing the sickness you pamper and tolerate in your life. The label, ‘an ulcer patient’ would have been final in my life if I had celebrated it and used it as an excuse to avoid fasting (Heb 10:38).
Friends, anything that fights your fasting life is not just attacking your appetite, it’s attacking your future. Beware!

Prayer points
1. Father, I refuse to tolerate, pamper, or celebrate any negativity in my life as an excuse from fasting, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, help me to cultivate a fasting habit, strengthen me in my weaknesses, and help me to confront anything that fights my fasting life, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I fast to boost my spiritual vitality, to weaken the power of my flesh, to sharpen my spiritual alertness, and to intensify my prayer.
2. I challenge and reject all excuses against fasting because anything that fights my fasting life is not just attacking my appetite but attacking my future.