Fasting for 40 Days
We’ve discussed the supernatural power that is released by prayer and fasting when we are in need of a breakthrough. Please see, “Do You Need a Breakthrough?” And then we studied, “Which Type of Fast is Best for You?” And now this is the third part in this series about fasting for 40 days.
First of all, there are only 3 people recorded in the Bible that fasted for 40 days. They are Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. You can read in Exodus 34:28-29, about Moses’ supernatural encounter on Mount Sinai with God. It was such a powerful encounter that the glory of the Lord shown on his face, and the people would actually cover his face with a veil because he shown so brightly.
In 1 Kings 19:7-9, during Elijah’s 40 day fast on God’s mountain, Mount Horeb which is also the same mountain that Moses was on, Mount Sinai, the downtrodden prophet Elijah is restored from fear, failure and depression.
In both these accounts, Moses and Elijah, powerful men of God are being led up the mountain of God without basic provision for 40 days. This fact speaks volumes to me. Near the top of the mountain there is a wilderness to pass through. There is a test of obedience and discipline that leaders must be willing to walk. They must overcome pride and entitlement, and the only way seems to be by humbling themselves before God by prayer and fasting.
Then we have our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus who was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, where satan first tempts Him to break His fast early by turning stones into bread to eat. Then He is tempted to test Father God’s faithfulness if He deliberately does something foolish that could perhaps end His physical life before His destiny at Calvary. And then He is tempted with false power and position if He will bow down to satan. And our faithful Jesus overcomes every form of temptation by speaking the Word of God. See Matthew 4:1-11.
And we should take note that during this time of temptation, satan is also trying to cause Jesus to question His true identity, and fall into the sin of entitlement. Be aware of the enemy’s tactics during this time of prayer and fasting.
And isn’t it interesting that satan first tempts Jesus to break His fast. This shows us that fasting must be very powerful if he will try to tempt Jesus and us to give up and quit. Be like Jesus, don’t give in. Use the Word of God during this time to overcome the temptation to break your fast.
Amazingly, years later, these three men, Moses, Elijah and Jesus meet up with each other on the Mount of Transfiguration. See Matthew 17. Again, this proves that supernatural power is released during times of prayer and fasting. And our destinies are forever altered when we obey.
The difficulties that you will encounter during a 40 day fast are as follows.
o You will be led into a spiritual wilderness. God does not promise that prayer and fasting will or should be easy.
o God will test your faithfulness. He will try the motives of your heart.
o When you are physically weak and worn down, the devil will make his move and attack.
o The enemy will cause you to question your identity in Christ.
o The enemy will fight against you in the arena of your calling.
o With his lying tongue he will make false promises if you will give into his temptations.
Years ago, the Lord required of me to go on three 40 day fasts in one year. It was hard on the flesh. It was preparation for the healing ministry, and I am still harvesting the fruit that was planted back then.
I began with drinking a non-salted clear broth made from boiled vegetables that was strained. I drank this 3 times a day, along with lots of water throughout the day. Then, eventually the only thing my system could handle was warm water.
Along with drinking the clear vegetable broth and water, I would spend most of my days and nights reading and studying the Word of God. Actually, I read through the entire Bible during each of these 3 fasts. And I spent much time in prayer and worship.
Personally, I do not recommend this fast for those that are struggling with eating disorders, or are fighting sickness and disease. If, this is you, there are other types of fasting that would be better for you. And I highly recommend that you ask your physician how you can participate in a type of biblical fasting.
I know of a woman that struggled with an eating disorder in her past, and she knew her weakness in this area and instead of fasting from food, she fasted sugar and salt, and from entertainment, and in their place she read and studied her Bible more, and spent personal time in worship.
As I shared in an earlier post, during times of prayer and fasting, I purchase a new notebook. I purchase the biggest one I can find, and I journal throughout the day. On the first page, I write down the start and end dates of the fast. I add to this page Scripture verses that I will stand on, and specific prayer requests or reasons for the fast.
Even though, 40 day fasts are difficult on the flesh, they are very powerful spiritually. Through personal experience I have found that the benefits outweigh the difficulties. And these are some of the benefits that you can expect during a 40 day clear liquid fast.
o You will encounter the Spirit of God in a greater manner then before.
o Your spiritual senses will be empowered.
o The gifts of the Spirit become highly activated.
o You will see and hear God clearly.
Seven Scriptural Reasons for Prayer and Fasting
- Divine Protection. Ezra proclaims a corporate time of prayer and fasting for God’s divine protection. Ezra 8: 21-23.
- Physical Healing. Paul fasts for 3 days and nights from food and water and his blind eyes open via the obedience of Ananias. Acts 9:1-19.
- Deliverance from evil spirits. In Matthew 17:14-21 Jesus teaches His disciples that the only way certain evil spirits will leave is by prayer and fasting.
- Restoration from failure and depression. 1 Kings 19, the well-trained prophet Elijah is restored from failure and depression.
- Victory over temptation. In Matthew 4: 1-11, we read how Jesus fasted 40 days and nights, and victory over very strong temptations.
- Repentance and revival. In 1 Samuel 7:6, God uses Samuel to revive the people that were enslaved to idol worship and lead them to repentance and deliverance.
- Release into ministry. Again in Matthew 4:1-11, after 40 days and nights of fasting Jesus is released into 3 years of faithful ministry.
So, let me repeat myself from the previous post, choose your type of fast, set your dates, purchase your journals, and let the breakthroughs and the miracles begin!
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© 2016 Author Becky Dvorak–Healing and Miracles International, All rights reserved.
Could i fast for my sick baby thats in NICU?
Absolutely! And write up a confession of faith for your baby’s healing and renounce the spirit of death and release the Spirit of Life, the healing power of the Holy Spirit over your baby too. Hugs, Becky
Dear Becky Dvorak.
It is a real honor to be able to reach you through, at least in this way, meaning after reading your books Greater than Magic, The Healing Creed, DARE to Believe and The Prophetic & Healing Power of your words, thou this one It will start in being reading very soon. So, this is because I mean it is an honor to reach you, at least in this way, because after reading your books and daily reading The Healing Creed (2 pages) I honestly consider you are a such a Holy-person in the team of “GOD”‘. — By today 8/26/2019 at 4:41 pm PST, I am in my 36 of 40 days of fasting 12 hours a day only. Nevertheless, I feel the need to make the 40 days Fasting water only. And here I am with my question Becky, Could you guide me regarding how many days after I finish my 40 days 12 hours daily fasting I could start with the 40 days Fasting water only and what else I could drink beside water as reading the Bible and praying? Deeply sincerely and wishing you much more Blessings to you, your husband David, your Family all and to all on what you are involved with.
Isaac,
I would ask God to give you His timing. In the meantime, build yourself up with healthy food, little by little. And when you ask Him when to fast again, ask Him what He would have you drink for fluids. He’ll tell you. Blessings, Becky :O)
Dear Becky. I love your book The Healing Ceeed. It’s such a blessing to read the anointed truth that it details. GOD bless you for all that you do and your obedience to HIM. I ask you to pray for healing within my family. Spiritual, emotional and physical healing. Please pray for my wife because she been dealing with mouth and gum issues for a very long time, but she never complains. Shes an awesome woman and wife and she deserves a blessing. Thank you so very much for walking with JESUS so that we can see HIM through you. I’m praying for you and your family as well.
Chris,
In the name of Jesus’ I renounce this sickness and disease attacking your family. I release the healing power of Holy Spirit to flow in and throughout your wife’s gums and teeth and that all infection, swelling, bleeding, sensitivity and pain be gone, as her teeth are healed from the inside to the outside. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hi Becky,
I have fybroids in both my breast and it’s the size of a grain. It hurts when I am due for my cycle. Please help me get rid of these fybroids in Jesus name.
Secondly I am not getting a satisfactory job, and we are having financial difficulties for quiet sometime now. I really want to get out
of all this stress.
Please pray for me and my family.
In the name of Jesus’ I renounce these fybroid cysts. I curse them at the very seed and command them to dry up at the roots and die off and be eliminated from the body. I speak healing and strength to your entire body for the glory of the Lord, amen. Father I pray that as they seek You and Your kingdom first that all these things that they have need of will be met according to Your Word, in Jesus’ name, amen.
I thank God for finding our beloved mom on this platform. I have sent you a message about what is bothering me in the mission field in Philippines.Please i need your prayer and i pray that the Lord whom we serve will have mercy on me through you in Jesus name.
Alfred,
I receive so many prayer requests that I am not able to remember them all, but I know the One who knows it all–Jesus. And I pray for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and the strength of the Spirit to see you through all that you are facing on the mission field for the glory of the Lord, amen and amen.
Blessings,
Becky
I am in need of healing.
Olivia,
In the name of Jesus I release the healing power of the Holy Spirit to flow in and throughout your entire body and by His stripes you are healed, and this healing manifests for the glory of the Lord, amen.
I am on a fast to heal from morgellons, on my 23 day, yet on this day I found your answer, this morning I saw the Lord as I took a shower, I saw him bleeding from all over his sacred body, I saw him suffering, I saw his divine love, I saw his pain. Our Lord never leaves us or for sakes us,
Olivia
Dear Olivia,
You are very right, the Lord will never leave you, nor forsake you. I stand with you in your deliverance from this disease. I renounce all forms of witchcraft that has or is coming against you in the name of Jesus. His name is higher than any other name. The Lord give you strength during your time of fasting and seeking Him.
Blessings,
Becky
I never have fasted more than a.week no food just waterI have had some healing happenthrougj prayer in Holy ghost.Had holy ghost 1985Had a.few prblems3 years ago with stomach intestines.stopped fasting .I have been fasting.again for 3 years and see and feel very strong spiritually and feel strong desire to fast even more.is a 40 day total fast wise for me or a Daniel fast or a.broth fast for 21 days
Develop this area of fasting with prayer and the study of the Word in your life, start with 3 days, then 1 week, 2 weeks…
Hallo becky i need your prayer for my daughter luna Victoria. She has cerebral palsy since she was born. I really want her to be healed by Jesus. What should i do?
Will this help in healing the body physically? I have a viral disease I would like to try to heal. I’ve also have told myself that I need to be closer to god. I’ve heard about people actually seeing God after a 40 day fast. I need to be healed in numerous ways other than the viral disease. I need to be healed spiritually, physically, emotionally, and in every other way.
More grace to you wog,ur write up were really nice and timely
Agbaje, I am blessed to know that I am of help to you. Blessings, Becky
Hi Becky I’m hungry for the supernatural but need to fast 40 days to understand how to grow in the supernatural
You do not necessarily need to fast 40 days, unless the Holy Spirit leads you to do so, but I can say that fasting 40 days does open you up to a higher dimension in the supernatural.
This is better than anything I’ve read on fasting. Thanks for the reminder. Bob and I have never done clear liquids, just Daniel fasts.
Hello Linda, If you are going to do a clear liquid fast, perhaps start by fasting this way for 1 day, then 2 days, and then 3 days…. Hugs, Becky :O)