Preparation for Power - 1

Part One
Over the past few months we have been studying revivals - actually three centuries of revival. We have looked at the different moves of God in the world and in particular the response of people to his Holy Spirit moving. Over and over again it is remarkable to see that the great revivals were preceeded by people praying and fasting.

Fasting is a powerful discipline, that when properly exercised, can produce amazing results in the loves of those that take part in it. Further reaching is the powerful affect that it has on the church as its members take part in fasting and prayer. There is a difference.

In Sarnia, Ontario in recent times we have heard reports of remarkable thinsg happening in a continuous series of meeting - now known as the Sarnia Revival. One interesting note is that it was preceeded with people from the church committing themselves to prayer and fasting.

With an interest to help us understand what Fasting does for our personal lives and for our church the following is taken from a book entitled “Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough” by Elmer Towns.

1. The normal fast is going without food for a definite period during
which you ingest only liquids (water and/or juice). The duration can be 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month or 40 days. Extreme care should be taken with longer fasts, which should only be attempted after medical advice from your physician.

2. The absolute fast allows no food or water at all, and should be short.Moses fasted for 40 days; but this would kill anyone without supernatur­al intervention, and should never be attempted today. Be sure to test thespirit that tries to talk you into a 40-day fast, even if it includes liquids.

3. The partial fast is one that omits certain foods or is on a schedule thatincludes limited eating. It may consist of omitting one meal a day. Eatingonly fresh vegetables for several days is also a good partial fast. JohnWesley ate only bread (whole grain) and water for many days. Elijahpracticed partial fasts at least twice. John the Baptist and Daniel with histhree friends are other examples of those who participated in partialfasts. People who have hypoglycemia or other diseases might considerthis kind of fast.

4. A rotational fast consists of eating or omitting certain families offoods for designated periods. For example, grains may be eaten onlyevery fourth day. The various food families are rotated so that some foodis available each day.