Devotional

A Call to a Lifestyle of Consecration

During this time of consecration, I’ve been motivated to explore the lives of early faith leaders and revivalists. I’m discovering that their experiences didn’t come from praying once or stumbling upon divine power by accident; nor did they depend on natural talent, charisma, or luck. Instead, what truly set them apart was an inner blueprint—a hidden rhythm unseen by others but noticed by God. They didn’t have greater access to God or possess some special supernatural trait we lack. Their strength came from consistent daily practices of prayer and fasting. 

Fasting is a discipline that many contemporary Christians tend to overlook, although it was consistently practiced by revivalists throughout history. While fasting may not be widely embraced or considered comfortable, it remains a powerful spiritual exercise.

John Wesley, whose ministry had a significant impact on England and led to the formation of the Methodist movement, fasted regularly on Wednesdays and Fridays for many years. In his reflections on the practice, Wesley noted that some individuals have placed excessive emphasis on religious fasting beyond what scripture and reason support, while others have completely disregarded it. He advocated for a balanced approach, emphasizing that fasting should not be pursued as a means to earn divine favor, but rather as a way to prepare and align one’s heart. 

Charles Finney often fasted before major revival campaigns, three days, sometimes seven days. He wrote; I prayed until the anointing came upon me. I fasted until I felt the power of God. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew chapter 17 that certain kinds of demonic resistance do not go out except by prayer and fasting. There are some levels of spiritual authority you will never touch without both.  

John Hyde entered seasons of fasting that left his body weak, but his spirit blazing. One friend said, Hyde would appear close to collapse after nights of prayer and fasting, yet his face would shine with joy in the morning. Hyde was not punishing himself to impress God. He was creating space, mentally, physically, spiritually, for more of God.  

What does fasting actually do? It humbles your flesh, your body’s constant demands. I’m hungry, I’m tired, I want comfort, lose their grip. You learn to say no to your appetites. That same muscle helps you say NO to temptation and compromise. It sharpens your spiritual sensitivity. Have you noticed how hard it is to hear God clearly when you are constantly full, entertained, and comfortable. Fasting creates hunger, not just physical hunger, but spiritual hunger. You begin to feel your need for God more deeply. Fasting also helps break strongholds. Some battles will not bow to casual Christianity. Fasting is violent faith. It says, Lord, I want you more than I want food, more than I want entertainment, more than I want comfort, and fasting creates breakthroughs. Mueller, Hyde, Finney, Wigglesworth, and many others testify that their greatest breakthroughs came after seasons of combined prayer and fasting, not because God was finally convinced, but because they were finally aligned.  

So how do you begin? Start with a simple progression. First level, partial fasts, skip one meal per week. Usually, lunch is a good starting point. Instead of eating, use that time to read the Word and pray. Second level, a 24 hour fast, once a week, fast from dinner to dinner, drink water, and if needed, light juice during the times you would normally be eating, go apart and seek God. This is similar to what John Wesley practiced and can be sustained for long term. Third Level, extended fasts, three days, seven days, or more. If the Lord clearly leads, do this only after you have built experience with shorter fasts. Use these extended times before major decisions, ministry launches, or when you are seeking deep breakthrough. Fourth Level, lifestyle, consecration. This is where fasting is no longer an event. It becomes a rhythm.  

Here are some important considerations.  

Fasting does not earn God’s favor. He does not love you more when you fast and less when you eat, you are not manipulating God. You are positioning your heart. Fasting must be joined with prayer. If you skip food but never seek God, you are not fasting. You are just dieting. Biblical fasting always includes focus on the word and on prayer.  

You must also be wise. If you have health conditions, seek medical counsel. Do not fast for long periods without preparation or supervision. Do not fast to show off. Jesus warned against disfiguring your face and parading your sacrifice in front of others.  

And finally, understand that fasting will expose what controls you. When you fast, anger might rise, fear might surface, cravings might scream, that is not failure, that is revelation. God is showing you what he wants to set you free from. 

Fast from anything that dulls your hunger for God, like entertainment, social media, worldly amusements, and luxuries. Remember too that each act of obedience is a kind of a fast, a no to self and a yes to God. There is a place where your own will becomes paralyzed, and God’s Will alone is done. 

So, let me ask you a hard question: What are you unwilling to give up for more of God? Whatever that is, that is your idol, that is your barrier; that is your Isaac on the altar.