WHY IS FASTING IMPORTANT?
Fasting is important because of spiritual warfare (Matthew 17:21). When we fast, we are not forcing God to do something but are resisting supernatural strongholds and powers. Someone might say, “Why is this necessary when Christ has all power?” I do not know the answer to this question, but I do know that Christ said, “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Fasting demonstrates the earnestness and desire of the heart–Hebrews 11:6. God sees the hearts of men, but the Bible says He requires open evidence of the heart’s desire–Joel 2:12. “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” This is seen in Abraham’s offering of Isaac. God knew that Abraham would obey and give up the beloved son, but He required Abraham to go through with the act up to the very point of driving the knife into Isaac’s heart. Only then did God say, “For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld
