The Nine Fasts God Can Use (Part 3)

Our fasting quote of encouragement today is from an Unknown Author. He said: "Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to yourself, that you are serious about your relationship with Him. Fasting helps you to gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God."

Our fasting devotional today is part 3 of our series titled "THE NINE FASTS GOD CAN USE" from Elmer L. Towns in his book "Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough".

The fourth fast we will discuss is the Elijah fast.The purpose of this fast is "to break every yoke" --- conquering the mental and emotional problems that would control our lives, and returning the control to the Lord. The key verse of this fast is 1 Kings 19:4 & 8, "He himself went a day's journey into the wilderness...He arose and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights."Here is a short overview: Although Scripture does not call this a formal "fast", Elijah deliberately went without food when he fled from Queen Jezebel's threat to kill him. After this self-imposed deprivation, God sent an angel to minister to Elijah in the wilderness.

The fifth fast we will discuss is the Widow's fast.The purpose of this fast is "to share [our] bread with the hungry" and to care for the poor --- to meet the humanitarian needs of others.The key verse of this fast is 1 Kings 17:16, "The jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah."Here is a short overview: God sent the prophet Elijah to a poor, starving widow --- ironically, so the widow could provide food for Elijah. Just as Elijah's presence resulted in food for the widow of Zarephath, so presenting ourselves before God in prayer and fasting can relieve hunger today.