“When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah” – 1 Samuel 7:6

As we start a new year and begin with fasting, we need to remember to come before God with a repentant hearts.  We are not sinless and our sins separate us from God.  In order to have an effective fast that causes breakthroughs  in your life, you need to start with repentance.

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  – Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting should be between you and God.  It’s nobody else’s business that you are fasting. Instead of going around and announcing you are fasting to just fast and pray to God in your prayer closet.  What God sees in private, He will reward openly.  The pharisee described in these verses were fasting so that others can see rather than God.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? – Isaiah 58:6-7

This verse is saying that fasting should be connected with serving others.  God says that he wants our service to go beyond our own personal growth to acts of kindness, charity, justice, and generosity.  True fasting is more than that what we don’t eat.  It is pleasing God by applying his Word to our society. 

“David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground” – 2 Samuel 12:16

When there is a prayer request that you earnestly would like to be answered by God, fasting is a way to seek Him more.  This is what David did in these verses.  He fasted, stayed in his house and prostrated himself on the floor at night hoping that God would cause the child to live.

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.  – Daniel 10:1-3

As this is the year 2020, a lot of people are saying that this is the year that you will clearly see God’s vision for your life.  Daniel had a vision but he needed to understand this vision.  He fasted for 3 weeks and ate no choice foods during this time. Daniel called this time a period of mourning and this could be because he was crying out for God.  But this is the mindset that you need to have when you are fasting for breakthrough…  It’s a crying out for God like someone would cry if they are mourning the loss of a loved one.

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”  Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God. – Joel 2:12-14

Fasting is a way to reposition yourself if you have strayed away from God. You can reposition yourself by turning your heart towards God… Anything else that you do externally doesn’t matter if your heart is not focused toward God.  When God sees your heart he will act gracious and compassionate towards you and in His unfailing love will leave a blessing for you.

“There, by the Ahava Canal, I [Ezra] proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions” – Ezra 8:21 

Fasting before you start the journey of this New Year is also important.  As this verse in Ezra mentions, he proclaimed a fast so that them along with their children and possessions will have a safe journey.  Include this as you pray for your journey through this New Year. 

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off – Acts 13:2-3

This final verse talks about fasting before making important decisions.  So Yes you should fast so that you can make good decisions throughout the year, but you should also fast before you make any decisions at any other time in this new year.  Fasting positions yourself so that you can clearly hear what God is saying.  So don’t only pray and fast at the beginning of this year, make it a habit. Something that you do regularly so seek God.  You will find him and He will speak to you as you fast and pray.