ACommonsenseGuideToFASTING

KennethE.Hagin

Contents

1Fasting:ALookattheOldTestament

2Fasting:ALookattheNewTestament

3WhyDoesn'tPaulTellUsToFast?

4FastingandSelf-Control

5FastinginMyLife

6PushingtoExtremes

7DifferentKindsofFasts

8WhatCanIAccomplishbyFasting?

9SettingFreetheOppressed

10AFinalWord

Preface

Inall theEpistles—thebooksoftheNewTestamentwrittentotheChurch—notonetimeistheChurchtoldtofast.

Thatdoesn'tmeanweshouldnot.Mention ismadeof fasting,butnorulesarelaiddown,noristheChurchevenencouragedtofast.

Thereasonis,fastingistobedoneastheoccasionarises.

Fasting does not change God. He is the same before,during,andafteryoufast.

But fasting will change you. It will help you keep the fleshunder. Itwill help you becomemore sensitive to the Spirit ofGod.

ItisgoodtofastwhenthingsarepressinginuponyouandyouneedtowaitonGodprayerfully.Or,theLordmay.

speaktoyouandleadyoutofast.IftheLordlaysafastonyourheart,doit!Hehasspokentomeinthismannerseveraltimes.ThelongestIhaveeverfasted,however,isthreedays.TheBibleliststhesereasonsforfasting:

1.ToministertotheLord.

2.Tolayhandsonministerstosendthemforth.

3.TodrawclosetoGodintimesofdanger.

These are the scriptural reasons; you don't need to fast todefeatthedevil.Jesusalreadywonthatvictoryforus.

Rememberingthis,wecanusefastingsensiblytokeepthebodyunder. The following pages will show the scriptural basis forthiscommonsenseapproachtofasting.

Chapter1

Fasting:ALookattheOldTestament

Fastinghasinallagesandamongallnationsbeenanexercisemuchinuseintimesofmourning,sorrow,andafflictions.

Yet there isnoBibleexampleof fasting tobe seenbefore thetimeofMoses.AlthoughtheBibledoesn'tsayso,itispresumedthat the patriarchs of old fasted untilMoses' time. (We knowthisbecausetherewasagreatdealofmourningamongpeopleof the Old Covenant.) It is interesting to notice that Mosesenjoined no particular fast in his five books, except upon thesolemnDayofAtonement.InLeviticus23:27,Mosestalksabout

"afflictingyoursouls."InHebrewthismeans,"YeshallhumbleyourselfdeeplybeforeGodinwardlybysorrow,andbyjudgingand loathing yourselves; and outwardly by fasting andabstinencefromallcarnalcomfortsanddelights."

This fast is theonly oneMosesenjoins, although the Jewsdidfastatothertimesforperiodsof24hours:fromthesundownofonedaytothesundownofthenext.

SincethetimeofMoses,examplesoffastinghavebeencommonamong the Jews. After Israel's defeat at Ai, Joshua and theleaders layontheir facesbeforeGoduntilevening(Josh.7:6).In other words, it was from morning until evening; about 12hours.

Judges20:26speaksoffastinguntilevening,andFirstSamuel7:6andSecondSamuel12:16alsogiveexamplesoffasting.

ShouldMyGoalBea40-DayFast?

Amistakemanypeoplemake in teachingon fasting ispickingoutisolatedportionsofScriptureandmisconstruingthem.AnyBiblesubjectcanbepushedoutofcontextanddomoreharmthangood.

Somewritersleavetheimpressioneveryoneshouldgoona40-dayfast.TheyusetheillustrationthatMosesfasted40daysonMountHoreb.

Butconsiderthis:MoseswasintheverypresenceofGod.IfyouwereonamountaininthepresenceofGod,talkingtoHim,youprobablycouldgowithoutfoodandwater40days,too!

Exodus34:28says,"AndhewastherewiththeLordfortydaysandfortynights;hedidneithereatbread,nordrinkwater.Andhe wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the tencommandments."

TheScripturepriortothissaysGodappearedtohim.

ThegloryofGodwasthere,andMoseswascaughtupinit.

Hecouldwellgowithoutfoodorwater.

Nobody can go without water very long unless he is in asupernaturalcondition.Youcangowithoutfood,butnotwater.

Ifyou'recaughtupintheSpiritandareinthegloryofGod,youalsoloseallsenseoftime.Those40daysprobablyseemedlikeabout14minutestoMoses.

Sister Maria Woodworth-Etter, one of the pioneers of thePentecostalmovement,wasstillpreachinginatentthatwouldseat20,000whenshewas72yearsold.Shewouldfillitupandpreachwithoutapublicaddresssystem.Whensheministered,thepowerofGodoftencameuponheraswellasuponothersinthecongregation.

For example, in one of Sister Etter's books she reports thatduringatentrevivalinShawnee,Ohio,theSpiritofGodcameuponawomanandthewomanlayunderthepowerofGodforeightdays.Duringthattimeshedidnottakeanynourishment.At theendof that time, shecameup shoutingandpreaching,telling others of the wonderful experience she had had.Naturally, anyone caught up in such glory could go withoutfood,water,oranythingelse.

(ADiaryofSignsandWonders,Etter,p.107.)SomesayElijahfasted40days,butactuallyhedidn't.

Jezebel threatened to cut his head off, so he ran.Wearily, heclimbedunderajunipertreeandcried,"Justletmedie.Iwouldjustassoonbedead!"Buthedidn'twanttodieanymorethanyouwouldifyouhadsaidthat.Ifhehadreallywantedtodie,hecould have stayed where he was—Jezebel would haveaccommodatedhim!

TheLordcameandministeredtohim,andtheangelsfedhim.Hewentinthestrengthofthatangelfood40days.

FirstKings19:7 says, "And the angel of the Lord cameagainthe second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat;becausethejourneyistoogreatforthee."

Ifanangelcamedownandfedyou,youmightbeabletogointhestrengthofthatquiteawhile,too.Butthat'snotabonafidefast.Youcan'tusethatasanexampleofsomeonefastinginthenatural.

The only one whom the Bible ever said fasted 40 days wasJesus. InMatthew 4:2 we read, he had fasted fortydays andfortynights,hewasafterwardanhungered."

There is a cluehere.Matthew4:1 sayshewas "ledup of thespiritintothewildernesstobetemptedofthedevil."SoHewasledbytheSpiritandministeredtobyangels,Again,that'snotabonafidefast.

Chapter2

Fasting:ALookattheNewTestament

Nowhere in theNewTestamentdid Jesus instituteanykindoffast.InHiscommandstoHisdisciples,Jesusneverenjoinedanyfasttobekept.

Paulsaidhefasted,butinallhisletterstotheChurch,startingwithRomans,thereisnotasinglereferencetellingtheChurchtofast.We'reencouragedtopray,butinconnectionwithdemonactivity,healing,oranythingelse,wearenottoldtofast.

Fasting, then,mustnotbeas importantassomepeoplewouldlead you to believe. There would have to be some kind ofinstruction to theChurch if itwere!Thereare instructionsonthegiftsoftheSpirit,praying,andgiving,butnoneonfasting.

Let'sgotothefourGospelsandlookatsomethingsJesussaidaboutfasting.

LUKE5:33-3533 And they said unto him,Why do the disciples of John fastoften, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of thePharisees;butthineeatanddrink?

34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of thebridechamberfast,whilethebridegroomiswiththem?

35Butthedayswillcome,whenthebridegroomshallbetakenawayfromthem,andthenshalltheyfastinthosedays.

At one point Jesus did leave the disciples, but He did comeback,andHe'swithustoday.

"AppearNotUntoMenToFast"

WereadinMatthew6somethingelseJesussaidaboutfasting:

MATTHEW6:16-1816Moreoverwhenye fast, benot, as thehypocrites, of a sadcountenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they mayappearuntomentofastVerilyIsayuntoyou,Theyhavetheirreward.

17Butthou,whenthoufastest,anointthinehead,andwashthyface;

18Thatthouappearnotuntomentofast,butuntothyFatherwhich is insecret:andthyFather,whichseeth insecret,shallrewardtheeopenly.

Inmyopinion,apersonwhotalksabouthowlonghefastsandencouragesotherstofastalongtimeisahypocrite.

Iheldameetingonceforamanandhiswife.Thepastor'swifewasalsoaminister.Shegotupeverynightandsaidsomethinglike,"I'monthefifthdayofmyfast.Iwonderiftherearethosewhowilljoinme?"

It would have helped just as much if she had twiddled herthumbsandsaid,"I'monthefifthdayoftwiddlingmythumbs."AsfarasGodwasconcerned,shehadlostallherreward,Eventhough I was fasting, I never publicly joined her, because Ididn'twanttoappearuntomentofast.

There may be certain occasions when you would solicit thechurch to fast as the Lordwould lead you. Butwhat shewasdoingwasgettingupandbraggingeverynightaboutherself.

If we go around bragging about howmuchwe pray and howlongwefast,that'snotgood.Jesussaidnottoappearuntomentofast.Tome,thatwouldmeandon'tletthemknowit.DoitasuntoGod,yourFather, insecret.AndyourFatherwhosees insecretwillrewardyouopenly.

FastingintheBookofActs

TheWordofGodmentions fastingagain inActs;nevertheless,thereisnodirectiongiventotheChurchonwhentofast.

TheBiblesaysinActs10thatCorneliuswasfasting.

Hewasn'tevensavedatthistime.ButbeingaJewishproselyte,

henaturallyfastedbecausetheJewsdid.

ACTS10:3030 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until thishour;andattheninthhourIprayedinmyhouse,andbehold,amanstoodbeforemeinbrightclothing....

Thatwasanangel,ofcourse,whotoldhimtosendforPeterinJoppa to come and preach to them. Since Cornelius was aJewishproselyte,wecan'tcountthatasareferencetomembersoftheChurchfasting.Hewasn'tsaveduntilPetercame.

AsIstudiedthis,IwasamazedathowlittlefastingismentionedintheBible.WedohavefurtherreferencesinActs13and14.

Acts14:23 says, "Andwhen theyhadordained themelders inevery church, and had prayed with fasting, they commendedthemtotheLord,onwhomtheybelieved."

Hereelderswerebeingordained.

It'sgoodforpeopletofastandmissonemeal.Itisagoodthingto fast before you pray for the sick. But it doesn't mean theapostleswentonalongfast.

InActs13somethingsimilarhappened. In the firstverse, fiveprophets and teachersarementioned.Among themwereSaul(Paul),andBarnabas.AsthesefivemenministeredtotheLordand fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate me Barnabas andSaulfortheworkwhereuntoIhavecalledthem"(v.2).

Verse3 says: "Andwhen they had fasted andprayed...." Theyalready mentioned they were ministering to the Lord andfasting. We read this as though the two incidents happenedtogether.Butevidentlythatisnottrue,becauseittakestimetofastagain.Itsays,"Andwhentheyhad fastedandprayedandlaidtheirhandsonthem...."

Thisprobablytookplaceoveraperiodoftime.TheytooksometimetowaitonGod.Again,fastingdidn'tchangeGod.ButitdidhelpthembecomemoresensitivetotheHolySpirit.

Did you know spiritualists fast? They are in contact withdemons and evil spirits, and they believe fasting helps thembecome more sensitive to evil spirits. That is the reason thedevilgetstoworkingonsomepeoplewhentheystartfasting—especiallywhentheytrytofastforlongperiodsoftime.You'vegottorealizetherearemanyspiritsinthespiritworld.

WefindtwootherreferencestofastinginActs27.

"Nowwhenmuch timewas spent, andwhen sailingwasnow

dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Pauladmonishedthem.. ." (Acts27:9).WhenPaulsaysthe fastwasover and sailingwas dangerous, he is referring to the secondday of the tenthmonth—the time of Atonement—whichwas atimeoffasting.

Many Jews in the Early Church, even though they were bornagain and Spirit filled, still kept the traditions of the Jewishreligion.PrayerwasmoreofastruggleundertheOldCovenant,becauseJesushadn'tcomeandconqueredthedevil.

Inthe33rdand34thversesofthatsamechapteritsays,"Andwhile the daywas coming on, Paul besought them all to takemeat,saying,Thisisthefourteenthdaythatyehavetarriedandcontinuedfasting,havingtakennothing.

Wherefore I pray you to take somemeat: for this is for yourhealth: for thereshallnotanhair fall fromtheheadof any ofyou."

OftentheBibleusestheword"meat"tostandforfood.

The ship had sailed and weathered a storm, and Paul wasinferringhedidn'twantthemtogotoolongwithoutfood.

Hesaid,"Thisisforyourhealth."

Verse35says,"Andwhenhehad thus spoken,he tookbread,andgave thanks toGod inpresenceof themall: andwhenhehad broken it, he began to eat." An angel of the Lord hadappearedtohimandtoldhimtheywereallgoingtobesaved.

I repeat:Thereareno instructionsgiven to theChurch to tellthem to fastornot to fast.The recordswehave inActs showthat the apostles ministered to the Lord and fasted, and itseems the Lordwould be pleased ifwewould set aside sometimejusttoministertoHim.

Ifyou fastanddon'tminister to theLord, itmightnotdoyoutoomuchgood.ButfastingwillgiveyouthatextratimetowaitonGod.Atthesametime,itwillhelpyoukeepthefleshunder.

YouMustHaveaPurpose

As mentioned before, it seems in the New Testament thatpeoplefastedundertheseconditions:toministertotheLord,toordainmentotheministry,ortoseekGodintimesofextremedanger.Youalwaysmusthaveapurpose.Don'tfastjustbecausesomeonetellsyouto.

Don'tFastforRevival

I'veknownsomepastorswhotrytofastforarevival.

ButasCharlesG.Finneysaid,arevival isnomoremiraculousthan a farmer's reaping a crop. The farmer has to till theground, plant the seed, cultivate, and trust God to send therain. (I knowwe have irrigation these days, butwe still needraininthefirstplace.)

RememberthatPaul,inwritingtotheChurchatCorinth,said:"Ihaveplanted,Apolloswatered;butGodgavetheincrease"(1Cor.3:6).YoucanfastuntildoomsdaythatGodwillsavesouls,but if you don't get out there and witness to people, preachsalvation,and "go intoall theworldandpreach theGospel toevery creature," nobody will get saved—and I don't care howlongyoufast.

NowhereinScripturedidtheyfastforarevival.

NowheredidtheyfastforamightymoveofGod.

Whatdidtheydo?First,theyministeredtotheLord.

Theyweren'tprayingthey'dgetsomething;theyjustwantedtotaketimetovisitwiththeLord.

I'm sure they ministered to Him like the Bible said: "Be notdrunkwithwinewhereinisexcess;butbefilledwiththeSpirit;Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritualsongs, singing andmakingmelody in your heart to the Lord"(Eph.5:18,19).

When I was in revival meetings I'd spend the whole day (wedidn'thavedayservicesinsomeofthechurches)inthechurchbuilding.Iwouldbewalkingupanddowntheaisle;readingmyBible around thealtar, praying, andministering to theLord. IjustsetthattimeasidetoministertotheLord.

Second,theyfastedinBibletimestolayhandsonministerstosend them forth. And third, they fasted in times of extremedanger. If I hadanemergencycomeup, Iwouldbegin to fastandpraytogetananswer. Ineverfastedas longasthreefulldays,becauseIalwaysgotmyanswer.ItookextratimetowaitonGod,topray,andtheanswerwouldcomeinvariousways.IfI had a spiritual question, for example, I would get therevelation.

Chapter3

WhyDoesn'tPaulTellUsToFast?

Again,therearenoinstructionstellingtheChurchtofast.

Paul, inwriting to theChurch at Corinth,makes reference tothe fact that he fasted, although he doesn't encourage theCorinthianstofastorgivethemanydirectionaboutit.Hesays:

2CORINTHIANS6:4,54ButinallthingsapprovingourselvesastheministersofGod,inmuchpatience,inafflictions,innecessities,indistresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, inwatchings,infastings.

SoweknowPauldidfast.

Yet he didn't tell theChurch to fast. Some say, "But don'tweneedtofasttogetpoweroverthedevil?"JesusHimselfsaidinthe 17th chapter ofMatthew about evil spirits that "this kindgoethnotoutbutbyprayerandfasting."

Yes,Hesaidthat.But,yousee,Jesushadn'tdiedyet.

WhenHe died andwas raised to newness of life, He soundlydefeated the devil and all his cohorts. Jesus has whipped thedevil!

In First Corinthians we're told these powers are dethronedpowers, Jesus said, "INMYNAME shall they cast out devils"(Mark16:17).Youdon'thavetofasttogettheNameofJesus.FastinghasnopartincastingoutdevilsexceptthatitwillhelpyoubecomemoresensitivetotheSpiritofGod.Itwillhelpyoukeepthefleshunder.

That'swhytheEpistlesdon'ttellusanythinginthisarea.Jesussaid, afterHe arose from the dead, "Go ye intoall theworld,andpreachthegospel" (Mark16:15).Hesaid to tell theGoodNews;tellpeopleyou'redeliveredfromsin.He'salreadydoneit:He'scancelledalloursins,andHehasdefeatedthedevil.

Remember,"Ye are ofGod, little children, andhave overcomethem:becausegreaterishethatisinyou,thanhethatisintheworld" (1 John 4:4). He was your Substitute. What He did ismarkeduptoyourcredit.

No wonder Paul wouldn't give instructions to the Church onfasting.Asanaidtoputtingthefleshunder, fastinghasarealpurpose; but as to conquering the devil and sin, Jesus hasalreadydoneit,andweareinHim!

In Ephesians, we are told we have been quickened togetherwithChrist:

EPHESIANS2:2-52Whereinintimepastyewalkedaccordingtothecourseofthis

world,accordingtotheprinceofthepoweroftheair,thespiritthatnowworkethinthechildrenofdisobedience:

3Amongwhomalsoweallhadourconversationintimespastinthelustsofourflesh,fulfillingthedesiresofthefleshandofthemind;andwerebynaturethechildrenofwrath,evenasothers.

4ButGod,whoisrichinmercy,forhisgreatlovewherewithhelovedus,

5Evenwhenweweredeadinsins,hathquickenedustogetherwithChrist.

Canyouseethat?JesuswasourSubstitute.InColossians2:15itsaysHespoiledprincipalitiesandpowers.Thosearethesameprincipalitiesandpowerswewrestlewith inEphesians6:12—andHemadeashowofthemopenly,triumphingovertheminit.Jesuswonarealvictory,andwewonthatvictorywithHim.

So, you have overcome them. The Bible doesn't say, "If you'llfast 14 days you'll overcome them."No, you've got a right tousetheNameofJesus!ThatNamebelongstoyouwhetheryoufast or not. And in Jesus'Name you'vegot a right to exerciseauthorityoverdemons.

Paul, inwriting to theChurch atEphesus, said, "Neither giveplacetothedevil"(Eph.4:27).Hedidn'tsay,"Nowifyou'llfastforaweekortwoorfastthreeorfourdays...."Thedevilmighttake over while you are trying to get in a position to dosomething.Hesaidnottogivethedevilanyplaceinyou.Thatmeanshecan'ttakeaplaceunlessyoulethim.

Jamessaid,"Resistthedevil,andhewillfleefromyou"(James4:7).Youdoit.You'dhavetohavetheauthorityoverhimoryoucouldn'tdoit!

What did Peter say? "Be sober, be vigilant; because youradversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seekingwhomhemaydevour" (1Peter5:8).Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?Resisthim!Standsteadfastinthefaith.

Chapter4

FastingandSelf-Control

ThereissomethingelsetheNewTestamentsays:

1CORINTHIANS7:4,54Thewifehathnotpowerofherownbody,but thehusband:andlikewisealsothehusbandhathnotpowerofhisownbody,butthewife.

5Defraudyenotonetheother,exceptitbewithconsentforatime, that yemay give yourselves to FASTING AND PRAYER;and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for yourincontinency.

Another translation says not to withhold sexual intercoursefromoneanother,exceptitbewithconsent,thatyoumaygiveyourselves to fasting andprayer. This is the only reference tofasting and prayer mentioned in the letters written to theChurch;yetnoticenoparticularfast is institutedhere.Weareonlymadeawarethatpeopledidfastandpray.

Paul said, "And come together again," talking about husbandand wife coming together so Satan couldn't tempt them "foryourincontinency."That'splainenough,isn'tit?

Here'ssomethingelseaboutself-controlandfasting.

From1949throughthelate'50s,I'dstayinparsonageswhenIwastravelinginthefieldministry,andInoticedsomething:Thepastorswhoshoutedandholleredthemostinthechurch livedtheworstandfastedtheleastathome.

Inkeepinga record for threeor four years I never could findoneofthemwhocouldcontrolhisemotions.

One fellow I knew could holler the loudest, jump the highest,andmakethemostnoiseofanyonewhenhewasinthepulpit.Heactuallysaidtome,"Ican'tmissameal.I justcan'tdoit."He would get upset when his wife didn't have dinner on thetableontime.

I couldn't enjoy his shouting to save my life. I don't knowwhetherhejustgotworkedupphysicallyorwhat,butIdoubtiftheSpiritofGodhadverymuchtodowithit.

He was living in the flesh! (Now, there is a real move of theSpirit, but some have never learned the difference betweenworking somethingupand that realmove that's so sweetandbeautiful.)

IfollowedmyprocedureoffastingwhileIwaswiththesefolks.Naturally, theywould inviteme to come to the table to eat. Iwouldn'tsayIwasfasting,butI'dsay,“I'mjustnoteatingtoday.Iwanttospendalittletimepraying.”

Chapter5

FastinginMyLife

WhenIwaspastorofaFullGospelchurchinEastTexas,IwaspreparingtogoonefalltoaBibleconference.

TheSpiritofGodsaidtome,"Fastthenexttwodays,becausethey'regoingtoaskyoutoprayforthesickatthemeeting."

I laughedand said, "Why, dearLord, if theydo that, it'll be arealswitch,becausethey'vegothundredsofpreachers.They'veneveraskedmetoprayor testify,much lesspray for thesick.Thatcouldn'tberight."

Then I got to thinking about it. I knew I didn't think that upmyself. I didn't really want to fast. (Sometimes we ask, "CanthatbeGod?Is it thedevil? Justwho is talkingtome?"We'vegottolearntoevaluatethesethings.)Iknewitcouldn'tbetheflesh,becausethefleshdoesn'twanttofast.Anditcouldn'tbethe devil. The devil wouldn't encourage you to fast inmoderation;however,hemightencourageyoutogotoofarandbreakyourbodydown.

(I knowof a pastorwhowent on a long fast, didn't drink anywater,brokehisbodydown,anddiedasaresultofit.Hisideaoffastingwasentirelywrong.HethoughthewasgoingtomoveGod.)

You're not going tomoveGod.He doesn'tmove.He'salreadyprone todo certain things, andHe's going todo them just assoonasyougetincontactwithHimandletHim.

ThenextdayIwenttotheBibleconference.AsIsatdown,thepresbyterwasspeakingandwasreadytoturnthemeetingoverto the district superintendent. Itwas in their hands to do thepreachingthatmorning.

Thepresbytersaid, "IsawBrotherHagincome inandIdidn'taskanybody,buttheLordhasbeendealingwithmetohavehimholdahealingservicetonight.Wedon'twanttointrudeonanyof the services, sowe'll start early.We'll give him at least anhourormoretoministertothesick."

That'sthesamethingtheSpirithadsaidtome120milesaway."Fast the next two days because they're going to ask you toministertothesickattheBibleconference."

The Lord didmanifest Himself throughme. Fastingmadememore sensitive. It didn't change God; God was in the healingbusinessbefore I fasted,while I was fasting, and after I gotthrough fasting. It didn't prepareGod any—it preparedme. Ithelped my spirit become more sensitive to His Spirit so HisSpiritcouldmanifestHimselfthroughme.

WhenIfirstwentoutinthefieldministry,Isetasidetwodaysaweek—TuesdayandThursday—formyfastdays.Iwasn'tledofthe Lord to do it; I just fasted two days a week. I fasted 24hours,becausethatwasthewayIsraeldidit.

I took the extra time that I would have been eating to pray.Remember, fasting will not do you much good if you're notgoingtospendextratimepraying,waitingonGod.

Imadethegreatestspiritualstridesyet inmyministryduringthat time of fasting two days a week. I shutmyself up inmychurchandspentmanyhourspraying.

Isaid tomywife, "Iknowwhenweeat. If Idon'tcomeout toeat,don'tsendthechildrenafterme.You'llknowI'mgoingtoskipthatmeal."Ididquiteabitoffasting.Ialsodidquiteabitofpraying,andIspentthatextratimeintheWordofGod.Andoften—because the church was next door—I got up and wentoverinthenighttopraywhileeveryoneelsewasasleep.

OnenightIprayedallnightlong.ManynightsIprayednearlyallnightlong.IspenttimefellowshippingwithGod,waitingonHim,walkingupanddowntheaislespraying.

(There was enough light from the streetlight shining throughthewindowsthatIdidn'thavetoturnthelightson.)

Itwasn'tjustthefasting;itwastheextratimeItooktowaitonGod and spend time in His Word that did something for mespiritually.FastingwillhelpkeepthefleshunderandmakeyoumoresensitivetotheHolySpirit.

Singers know this principle. If they eat a bigmeal and try tocomeoutandsing,theyareboggeddown.Preachersknowthat.That's thereasonwedon't like toeatbeforewepreach. Ifwedo, we find we are uncomfortable and not so spirituallysensitive.

Afterseveralyearsoffastingtwodaysaweek,theLordsaidtome,"Iwouldbemorepleasedifyouwouldliveafastedlife.

Isaid,"Whatdoyoumean,afastedlife?"

He said, “Never eat all you want. Keep your appetite under.That'sallafastisgoingtodoanyway,keepthebodyunder.”

Doyouknowthatisharderthanfasting?Ichanged.Ineverhadanymoredaysoffasting.Ineversetanytimesoffastingunlessthe Spirit of God spoke to me. And I made greater spiritualstrides living the fasted life.Much of the time I ate only onemealadaywhileIwasinmeetings.(Istilldothatmuchofthetime.)

InoticedthathealingscamemoreeasilywhenIdidthis.Whenitcameto layinghandsonpeople toreceive theHolySpirit, Iwouldn't eat at all. If we'd run into a hard spot and thingsweren't happening like I thought they should, I'd fast by

drinkinga little juice. If Ineededmorestrengthphysically, I'dstarteating,butIneverateallIwanted.IstartedhavingmoreresultsbecauseImoreorlessconstantlylivedthefastedlife.

OnetimeIwenttoKansasCitytoholdameeting.

When I got there, the pastor said, "BrotherHagin, somethinghasarisenandI'vegottobeoutoftownpartofthisweek.Yougo ahead and run the meeting to suit you and I'll be backtowardtheendoftheweek."

I preached Sunday night. Monday morning we had a Biblelessonat10a.m.MondaynightIpreached.TuesdaymorningIpreached(Iusuallycarriedtwoservicesaday).

TuesdaynightIpreached.Thiswasthethirdday.

Oneofthedeaconssaidtome,"BrotherHagin,howdoyouliketherestaurantatthemotel?"

Istoppedandsaid,"Youknowwhat?Ineverthoughtaboutit.Ihaven'teatensinceI'vebeenhere.Iforgotit."

Then I said, "That restaurant is closed down. There is a signtherethatsays'Closed.'"

Hesaid,"Oh,weintendedforyoutoeatthere.Whathaveyoubeendoingabouteating?"

Isaid,"Ineverthoughtabouteatinguntilyoumentionedit."

Whenhesaidsomethingabouteating,Igothungry.

Untilthen,IhadbeensotakenupwithspiritualthingsIhadn'tthought anything about it. (Incidentally, I ate every day fromthenon.)

Forthreeweeksofmeetings,thoseweretheonlythreedaysIdidn'teat.Iwasn'tfasting;Ijustneverthoughtabouteating.Itneverdawnedonmetoeat.WhenIdidbegineating,Istillhadjustonemealaday.WhatI'mtryingtosayistherearenoiron-cladrules.

Chapter6

PushingtoExtremes

Don'tbelikethepastorwhobrokedownhisbodywithfastingandbecamesosickhedied.Thepoorfellowsufferedso.Hewasa wonderful man, but nobody could help him, because hewouldn'tlisten.Yousee,yourbodyisstillmortal.Ithasn'tbeenredeemedyet,andyouaregoingtohavetolearntotakecareofit.Ilearnedthatlessonearly.

WhenIfirststartedpreaching,Ididn'thavethebaptismoftheHolySpirit,butIdidbelieveindivinehealing.Iwaspastorofalittlechurchinthecountryandhadanextrajobontheside.

OnedayIwasworkingoutdoorsandknewIwasgettingtoohot.I knew I ought to stop. Something on the inside of me—theinwardwitness—toldme,butIdidn'tlistentoit.Iwentrighton,andhadaheat stroke.Myheart stopped, and I nearlydied. IhadFullGospelpeoplelayhandsonmeandprayforme,eventhoughIwasaBaptist.

Youknow,Icouldn'tgetathinguntilIrepentedandsaid,“DearGod,Irepent.I'llneverpushmybodytothatplaceagain.”TheminuteImadethatpromisetoGod,Iroseupperfectlyhealed.

SincethattimeIhaverefusedtopushmyself tothatextreme.I've been right in themiddle of a healing line, realized Iwasphysicallygettingtothatplace,andstoppedandwalkedoff.I'vetold the people I can't violate my conscience and break mycontractwithGod.

Someone might say, "We'll just pray God will giveyou supernatural strength." Some people have the craziestideas about these things; they believe you ought to be asuperhuman.

Did you ever notice Jesus again and again departed from thecrowd?Hisbodywasalsoflesh,blood,andbone.

Hegot just as tiredas anybodydid.Themain thing in all theaffairsoflifeistobeledbytheSpiritofGod.

Some people try tomake a religion out of fasting. They pushthemselvestoanextreme,thinkingworkswillgetthejobdone.But I don't believe in religion; I believe in Christ and life inChrist.Don'tgetinvolvedinworks.

LettheLordleadyou.TakesometimetofastandwaitonGodastheSpiritofGodleadsyou.FeelfreetoobeyHim.

I went to one place to hold revival, and we had the greatestrevivalinthehistoryofthatchurch.SundaySchooldoubledandchurchmembership tripled. The pastor said night after night,"Boys, I just marvel at God moving in such a way. And wehaven'tevenfasted."

Hewastryingtoputitbackonworks;hethoughtworkswouldgetthejobdone.ButIwentbelievingGod.

God honors faith. That's the thing God honors more thananythingelse.

Chapter7

DifferentKindsofFasts

RememberhowDanielfasted21days?Heateno

"pleasantbread."Weneedtorealizethereismorethanonewayto fast.Danieldidn'teatanythinghewanted,buthedideatalittlesomething.Thatishardertodosometimes.

You see, it's amatter of keeping the flesh under; keeping thebodyunderandnotlettingitdominateyou.

Youdominateitinstead.

Ifyouwantedtogoastep further,youcould fast thingsotherthan food. You might say, "Now, Lord, I'm going to leave offwatchingtelevisionandspendthattimepraying."

(Danielsaidhegaveupeatingpleasantbread.Sowhywouldn'titbeallrighttoleaveoffotherthingsthatmightbepleasanttous?)

Awell-knownevangelistwhenhewaspastoringdecidedtogiveGod10percentofhistimeinprayer.Hebegantoprayatnightafter his family was in bed. He prayed two hours and 40minuteseachnight.Todothathehadtosacrificehistelevisiontime.Godhasgivenhimaninternationallyknownministry.

Youmightsay,"Icouldn'tpraytwohoursand40minutesaday."But perhaps you could sacrifice television time, too, or someothertimethatyou'rewastinginordertodevotemoretimetoprayer.

Chapter8

WhatCanIAccomplishbyFasting?

MinisteringtotheLord

TheBiblegivesusexamplesofpeoplefastingtoministertotheLord. They weren't praying they'd get something; they justwantedtotakesometimetovisitwiththeLord.

ACTS13:2,32 As theyministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghostsaid,SeparatemeBarnabasandSaulfortheworkwhereuntoIhavecalledthem.

3Andwhentheyhadfastedandprayed,andlaidtheirhandsonthem,theysentthemaway.

You might ask, "Now what do you mean, ministered to the

Lord?"Well, I'm sure they prayed, But the Bible also says inEphesians 5:18,19, "And be not drunk with wine,wherein isexcess;butbe filledwith theSpirit;Speaking toyourselves inpsalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and makingmelodyinyourhearttotheLord."

They began worshiping God and magnifying His name, andwentrightthroughthemeal!

Sometimes I'll speak to myself all night in psalms. I'mministering to the Lord. I've done that on more than oneoccasion.Apsalmisaspiritualpoemorode.Itmayormaynotrhyme, but there is an element of poetry in it. I get to goingsometimesveryquietlyinthenighttimetomyself,andtheyjustkeeprollingoutofme.

When the Bible talks about psalms and hymns and spiritualsongs,thisdoesn'tmeansongsyougetoutofasongbook.Mostoftheseareembalmedwithunbelief.Theyarenot inspiredbythe Spirit of God. The Bible is talking about something theSpiritofGodgivesyouonthespurofthemomentbytheHolySpirit.

Wehave150psalms in theOldTestament thatweregivenbythe Spirit of God. They bless us because they are Spiritanointed.Many ofDavid's psalmswere given to himwhile hewasgoing through testsor trials.Theywerehis; theyblessedhim;theyencouragedhim.Apsalmcanberecitedorchanted.TheJewschantedsomeofthem.

Aspiritualsongorhymnwasalwayssung.Iseldomsing,exceptintongues,becauseI'mnotasinger.(Paulsaid,"IwillprayinthespiritandI'llsinginthespirit";thatis,intongues.)Iusuallyspeakinpsalms.BuddyHarrison,myson-in-law,singsspiritualsongsandhymns;somethingthattheSpiritofGodgiveshimatthemoment.

Ministering to the Lord is worshiping Him, not wastinganything.WeoughttohaveservicesinourchurcheswhereweministertotheLord.IfIwerepastorofachurch,Iwouldhaveservices once a week that I would call "believers' meetings."Nobodybutbelieverswouldcome,andwewouldministertotheLord.

InonechurchIpastored,weusuallyhadjustourownpeopleintheSundaymorningservice.Sundaynightwasourevangelisticservice.Wefilledthebuildingatnight.

Peoplewouldevenbeoutonthestreet looking inthroughthedoors.ButSundaymorningswe rarelyhadnon-members, so ImadethatSundaymorningserviceabelievers'meeting.

I don't suppose I preached half a dozen times on Sundaymorningfrom1939to1940.Isaidtothepeople,“I'mgoingtositdownhereontheplatformandturntheserviceovertotheHolySpirit.WhateveryoufeelledofGodtodo,doit.Ifyoufeelledtostartachorus,juststartsinging.”

I think we got the closest to what Paul was talking about atCorinthwhenhesaid,

1CORINTHIANS14:26

26Howisitthen,brethren?whenyecometogether,everyoneof you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath arevelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be doneuntoedifying.

They went to church because they had something. But nowmostfolksgotochurchtogetsomething.

Wehadsomeofthemosttremendousservices.I'veneverseenanything like them before or since. And I'm convinced Godwants that in every church. But we get so taken upwith ourlittleform.Wethinkwehavetobeoutbynoon.

Sometimes in these meetings we would stay until 1:30 p.m.Sometimes the presence of Godwouldmove in on us andwewould all just sit there. Not a child cried. Nobody moved.Nobody would say anything. We sat there sometimes 45minutes.ThepowerofGod—thepresenceofGod—wassorealyoudidn'twanttomove.Youwereafraidifyoumovedafinger,thepresencewouldgoaway.

One fellow would bring his wife, who was saved, to theseservices, and then hewould go uptown to talk, chew,whittle,andcuss.One timehe camebackaroundnoon, expecting theservice to be over, but it wasn't. He sat in the car but didn'thearanything.

Finally he came inside. He felt what we were feeling themomenthewalked in.Nobodysaidanythingor turnedto lookathim.SinceIwassittingontheplatform,Icouldseehim.Hesatdown,lookedatme,andlookedatthecrowd.Nobodysaidanything;therewasjustaholysilence.

IwatchedhimbecauseIknewsomethingwasgoingtohappen.

Hesatthereabout10minutesandsuddenlybeganshakingallover.Thenhegotupandstarteddowntheaisle,still shaking,and fellat thealtar.HestartedcallingonGodandgot saved!Still,nobodysaidanything.Noonewentdowntohelphimpray.Godstarted itand finished it.Hesavedthat fellow. Isawthathappenmorethanonce.

SometimestheSpiritofGodwouldmoveonsomebodytostartdancing. Before you knew it, 15 to 30 otherswould join him.Theymightdanceallthroughthemorningservice.WechargedthatatmospherewiththeSpiritofGod.

Iwouldtellthepeople,"Now,whenwecometonight,it'sforadifferent purpose. We're not coming tonight to get blessed.We'renotcomingtonighttoministertotheLord.

We are coming to reach the sinner. So be very careful thateverythingisdonedecentlyandinorder"(1Cor.14:40).

We had people saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and healedeverySundaynight.Wehadconstantrevival,becausewekeptthatplacechargedwiththepowerofGod.

Ina lotofplacestheatmosphere ischargedwithdeadnessonSundaymorning. You need to get there early to expel all thedemons the people bring in, otherwise, you fall flat on yourface.

Weneed timesofworship, times toworshipanyway theLordleadsus.That'swhatitmeanstoministeruntotheLord.

AnotherreasontheyfastedinBibletimeswastoordainmentotheministryor to separate them,asGodwouldcall them. I'msuretheydidn'tgoonalongfast.Theymissedmaybeonemeal.

Facing Decisions and Times of Crisis Many times in revivalmeetings when people seemed to have difficulty gettingbaptizedwiththeHolySpirit,Iwouldtellthemnottoeattheireveningmeal.Withoutexception,itseemedtoworkeasily;I'veseentimeswheneveryoneofthemwasfilledwiththeSpirit.

Youwillfind,too,asI'vementioned,thattheBiblesaysintimesofcrisismenfasted.

ManytimesbeforeJesusmadecertaindecisions, likeselectingtheapostles,Hespenttimeapart.

Acts27isanexampleofPaul'sfastingduringacrisis.

HewasonhiswaybyshiptoappealhiscasebeforeCaesarandastormarose.

ACTS27:2020Andwhenneithersunnorstarsinmanydaysappeared,andno small tempest lay on us, all hope thatwe should be savedwasthentakenaway.

Paul had perceived danger by the Spirit of God before thevoyage.

ACTS27:21-2521 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in themidst ofthem, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened untome, andnothave loosedfromCrete,andtohavegainedthisharmandloss.

22AndnowIexhortyoutobeofgoodcheer:forthereshallbenolossofanyman'slifeamongyou,butoftheship.

23FortherestoodbymethisnighttheangelofGod,whoseIam,andwhomIserve,

24Saying,Fearnot,Paul;thoumustbebroughtbeforeCaesar:and,lo,Godhathgiventheeallthemthatsailwiththee.

25Wherefore,sirs,beofgoodcheer: forIbelieveGod,that itshallbeevenasitwastoldme.

I don't know how long Paul fasted here, but after abstainingfrom foodhe stood in theirmidst.He told themen their liveswouldbespared.HehadabstainedfromfoodforsometimeandhadsoughtGod.Inalettertosomeofthechurchesconcerninghisownministryheusedtheexpression"infastingsoften."

Chapter9

SettingFreetheOppressed

Therewasawoman inachurchwepastoredwhohada largetumoronher left lung.Shehadgonetoherfamilydoctor,buthesenthertoaspecialistinalargercitynearby.

Thiswasin1939,andtheydidn'toperateonpeoplesoquicklythen.

Theydidnotknowwhetherthetumorwasmalignantornot,butthey gave her X-ray treatments. They said the treatmentswouldn'tcureher,buttheyweresupposedtoretardthegrowthofthetumororshrinkit.Ifthesetreatmentswereunsuccessful,thenextstepwastheoperation,which inthosedayswasveryserious.

Iknewshewastakingthesetreatmentstwiceaweek,butsheneveraskedforprayer.

Onthedaywhenshewenttothecitytotakehertreatment,her16-year-olddaughterwashome(thiswasinthesummer).Theylivedonafarmandhadtogetupearlytogotothecity;thetriptookafullday.Allthatday,whichwasaThursday,the16-year-oldgirl fastedandprayedforhermother.Sheprayedthattheoppressedmightbesetfree.(Acts10:38speaksofsicknessasbeingsatanicoppression.)

I knew nothing about what had happened.When I closedmysermon the following Sunday morning, the voice of the Lordcametomesaying, "There'sa ladyhere Iwant tohealbeforeyougo today." So I spoke it right outwithout thinking. That'sthefirsttimeathinglikethathadhappened.Thiswas1939.Ispokeitrightout,saying,"TheLordjustsaidthere'sawomanherewhomHewantstohealbeforewegotoday."

When I said that, a lady stepped out. She started down theaisle,buttheSpiritofGodwithinmesaid,"She'snottheone."

Isaid,"Sister,you'renottheone,buthealingbelongstoyou,socomeonandwe'llprayforyou,andtheLordwillhealyou."

Then Sister R. stepped out in the aisle and the Spirit of Godwithinmesaid,"She'stheone."Itoldher,"SisterR.,you'retheone." I laid hands on her and prayed and that tumordisappeared. She went back to the specialist and told him totakeX-raysbecausesomethinghadhappened.Heasked,"Whatisit?"Shereplied,"I'lltellyouafterwards."

HetooktheX-raysandcouldn'tfindthetumor.Hetriedtakingmore,butstillcouldn'tfindit.Itwasgone.

I was holding a meeting in a Full Gospel church in Houston,Texas, a number of years ago, and I was staying in theparsonage.Thepastor'swifeneversaidonewordtomeabouther poor physical condition. (She had prayed for years andnever had received anything.) God began to move in theservicesandblesspeople.

Many were being healed. Afterwards, this pastor's wifetestified, "I saw others being healed and I fasted." (She fixedsomething for her husband and me to eat, but she never satdownwithus.)

"I fastedandprayedacoupleofdays,"shesaid, "andtold theLordIknewHecouldhealme."

One night I was ministering after I preached, and I had arevelationconcerningher.Ibegantellingherwhatwaswrongwithher,becauseIsawitinthespirit;theLordtoldmeexactlywhat was wrong with her. The Word of Knowledge was inoperation,andshereceivedcompletehealing.

Although fasting in itself will not bring about healing, it canpreparethewayinsomeinstancesforhealingtotakeplace.

Chapter10

AFinalWord

Smith Wigglesworth said there were two young fellows inEnglandwhosawGod'spowerdemonstratedinhismeetingsathiswife'smission.

"Wewouldn'tbesurprisedbutwhatGodwould leadyoudowntoWalestoraiseupourLazarus,"theytoldhim.

TheyexplainedthatLazaruswasamanwhohadspenthisdaysworking in a tin mine and his nights preaching. He hadcollapsedandbecome illwith tuberculosis, and for four yearshadbeenahelplessinvalid,havingtobefedwithaspoon.

Two years later the Lord spoke to Wigglesworth. Often thisgreatmanof faithwouldwalk in the countryside.OnedayheclimbedoneofthehighestmountainsinWales.Hewasontop,envelopedinthepresenceofGod,whentheLordsaidtohim,"IwantyoutogoraiseLazarus."

Wigglesworth wrote down what the Lord had said on apostcard,andmailedittoLazarus'home.Whenhearrived,hewas greeted at the door by aman holding the card. "Did yousend this?" theman asked. "Do you think we believe in this?Here,takeit!"AndhethrewitatWigglesworth.

Then the man called a servant and said, "Take this man andshowhimLazarus."HesaidtoWigglesworth,"Themomentyouseehim,youwillbereadytogohome."

From the natural standpoint, this was true. The man washelpless.Hewasnothingbutamassofskinandbones—andhedidn'thaveanounceoffaith.

WigglesworthknewwhenGodhasspoken,youdon'tgivein.Heleft,butovernightroundedupsevenotherstostandwithhiminprayer.ThatnighttheSpiritoftheLordtoldhimnottoeat,sohe skipped the evening meal and skipped breakfast thefollowingmorning.(Hebelievedprayerandfastingtobeagreatjoy.) The next day the eight of them went back toLazarus'house.The sameman let them in, and there lay thatpoorfellowlookinglikeacorpse.

While Smith had been fasting, God had told him what to do:"Don'tpray;don'tanointhimwithoil;don'ttouchhim.Alleightofyougatheraroundthebed,holdhands,andrepeattheNameofJesus."

So he said, "We just stood around the bed and said, 'Jesus,Jesus,Jesus(alleightoftheminunison),Jesus,Jesus!'"

Astheyspoke,thepowerofGodfell.Thenitliftedlikeacloud.They continued to hold hands and say, "Jesus, Jesus" and thepower kept coming down and lifting. The sixth time it came

downLazarussaid,"I'vebeenbitter inmyheart,andIknowIhavegrievedtheSpiritofGod."Herepentedandcriedout,"OGod,letthisbetothyglory."Ashesaidthat,thepowerofGodwentthroughhim,healinghim.

Lazarus got up and dressed himself without any assistance.Then he and Smith walked downstairs singing the Doxology.Lazarustestifiedinanopen-airmeetingwhatGodhaddoneandmanyweresaved.

All the Spirit had said to Smith was, "Just miss two meals."That'sall.DidthatchangeGod?No.GodhadalreadytoldhimtoraiseupLazarus.Yousee,itgaveWigglesworthalittlemoretime towaitonGod insteadofeating. Itmadehis spiritmorekeen, and itmadehimmoresusceptible toGod's Spirit so hecouldbeachannel.

That iswhy thereareno instructionsgivenby theHolySpiritthroughPaulorPeterorJamesorJohntofastornottofast.

IbelievethisisbecauseGodwantsustolearntobeledbyHisSpirit.Thatwaywe'llbepreparedforwhateverHehasforustodo.Or,iftheSpiritdoesn'ttellyoutofast,setasidesometimeandsay, "Iamgoingto take this timeto fastandwaitonGodandstudymyBible."

When should you fast? I can't tell you, and the Bible doesn'tgiveyouspecificinstructions.Thatleavesituptotheleadingofthe Lord. The more you study, the more you can see howdependent we are on the Spirit of God; not only theWord ofGod,buttheHolySpirit.

NowonderJesussaid,"I'llnotleaveyoucomfortless."

Another translation says "orphans." We need the help of theHolySpirit—andwehaveit—inthisarea,asinallothers.

TableofContents1-Fasting:ALookattheOldTestament2-Fasting:ALookattheNewTestament3-WhyDoesn'tPaulTellUsToFast?4-FastingandSelf-Control5-FastinginMyLife6-PushingtoExtremes7-DifferentKindsofFasts8-WhatCanIAccomplishbyFasting?9-SettingFreetheOppressed10-AFinalWord