Fasting a battle

Matthew 17:21 KJV
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Mark 8:3 KJV
And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
Mark 9:29 KJV
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Acts 10:30 KJV
And Cornelius said , Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold , a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Acts 14:23 KJV
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed .
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Acts 27:33 KJV
And while the day was coming on , Paul besought them all to take meat, saying , This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
1 Corinthians 7:5 KJV
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

With most past revivals and great works in Christian history fasting is always involved, I know that I struggle to fast beyond the three day limit let alone beyond also in doing heavy labour work it is not wise fasting which I do. Without Christ I can do nothing including prayer and fasting.

Is there any Christian struggle with the overwhelming amount of issues that there are worldwide and family things and other things to pray for?
Does anyone struggle with fasting as I find it is something the devil does not like ?

There are examples where I have not fasted as in evangelism on the principle with jonathan when he was attacking the philistines and defeated the enemy through lack of fasting. I have such a hunger and thirst for a longer prayer life and am reminded of the people such as George muller and others ? And wonder why if god is the same yesterday today and forever that he does not give the strength to pray. Even people like Leonard ravenhill put us to shame.

Does anyone feel there prayer life is under attack or they do not have the same strength as when they were younger, David Wilkerson says the last half an hour is the hardest. This is where I struggle.

The bible states that if that we have iniquity in our heart the lord would not hear our prayers, lord deliver me from sin specifically .

I so wish that god would restore my first love for him in my prayer life. The bible regards prayer less as a sin in the case of Samuel.

How many people are struggling with prayer and fasting ?

You bet brother. I know of some for whom fasting seems to come easily. That is not me for sure. I have struggled with this one. Fasting is hard on the flesh, and I guess that is the point. I also have never fasted beyond the three day point. I was doing a very physically and mentally demanding job and I could not go beyond that. But I don't think one should feel condemnation for that. God has been dealing with me a bit lately about making fasting a more regular part of my life, and I know obedience will yield the fruit of righteousness and a greater ability to walk in the spirit.

I do have some suggestions for fasting:

Live a fasted lifestyle. Don't allow yourself to be consumed by the things of the world. I have not always fasted food although i know that is the form of fasting that the Bible describes. I have fasted other things that can have a hold on my life. Any time you identify something that has a grip on you through the flesh, it might be a good idea to fast that thing.

Fast once a week. Perhaps a certain day might be a fast day.

If you feel led to do so or if you desire to do so, fast a longer period of time. If you job is physically demanding, choose a time frame that allows you to fast most when you are not at work such as over a weekend, etc.

Always realize that a fast is not a way to twist God's arm so that He will answer a prayer, but rather a way to deal with your own flesh so you can walk in greater sensitivity and obedience to the spirit.

As far as prayer goes, it is simply communion with God. I think it was Smith Wigglesworth who was asked how long he prayed. He said, "I rarely ever pray for more than 15 minutes at a time, but there rarely ever 15 minutes that go by that I do not pray." We sometimes feel condemned if we don't spend an hour a day at 5:30 a.m.. While there is a place for spiritual discipline, we often make prayer something of a job to be done that neither us nor God enjoys (to put it bluntly). We should fellowship with Him because we love Him and desire time with Him.

Thanks for this post brothers. God bless you.

Devin

Travis explains almost exactly my thoughts on this matter.

I used to fast every Wednesday with a good friend. It helped to have a fasting buddy.

Once quite a while ago I fasted 2 meals a day (eating one) for 40 days. That was not so bad after 3 days.

The hardest thing for me with fasting is the snacking. I can give up meals much easier than a bowl of popcorn.

In regard to praying- I have been in a difficult dry season for quite a while where it is very hard to pray. It's hard to explain exactly. But if I keep trying to pray through eventually it will pass.

I am leaning to get away from the academics of fasting, thoughts and ideas, lofty and the funny ones and just fast when my heart is not at rest with something. As a young 'pentecostal', I guess, fasting was among the major subjects to pass the course and a necessity of our theological framework. As I grow older, fasting is, as if but just a part of my personal history, of my journey with the Lord. I think I can say that, while I was fasting, I have averted many difficult situations in life, and in a long term, directed my character to a better one.

Fasting is more than skipping foods, at times it is also giving money to a brother or a stranger in need. Sometimes it is visiting our parents and see to it that they are alright, sometimes it a deep conviction of sin or a flaw of character then a repentance follows, at times it is a reconciliation with somebody, a forgiveness, a forsaking of bitterness.

Recently, I read about a troublesome resolution against Israel, my heart is very heavy, but then I remember that the Lord said "Vengeance is mine", and then there is a heart ready to forgive.