Beloved, throughout July, as a ministry we are in intense prayer and fasting. We will pray strategically as led by the Spirit for nations, friends, ministries and individuals.

You can be part of this, in many ways, but to begin with, we would love to be a blessing to you by praying specifically for you. We will put all prayer requests on the ‘altar’ whenever we gather to pray. We have a special prayer guide that can be made available to you if you desire to participate. I am excited for this great month of supernatural acceleration, great advancement and evident progress.

Please read the following article on Fasting and find out how you can supercharge your spiritual life, make effective your prayers and effect changes in seemingly impossible situation.

Welcome to the 2^nd half of 2012. July is your mouth of divine acceleration, great advancement and evident progress. Your latter half shall be better than your former as you enjoy great victories. Expect great time ahead.

Blessings, Pr. Robert

When You Fast!

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” Matthew 6:16. From this opening scripture it is clear that Jesus expected us to fast that is why He said; ‘when you fast’ and not ‘if you fast’. Equally important to note is that fasting is rewarding; but we should only seek to be rewarded by God. Fasting is the practice of going without physical nourishment for a period of time to concentrate your time and efforts on your spiritual nourishment. It is also a catalyst of prayer; it helps you pray more fervently with great effect.

Jesus began His ministry with prayer and fasting (Luke 4:1-2). Paul fasted often (2 Corinthians 11:27) and this was a practice of consecration and dedication by the leaders of the early church (Acts 13:1). Fasting is a spiritual discipline that has self-denial at its root, enhancing the offering of yourself to God as a living sacrifice. When done rightly and for the right reasons, fasting is very rewarding. However, it can also be abused or done with wrong motivations. First and foremost, fasting by itself cannot change God; fasting changes the person who is doing it, by subjecting his flesh to the spirit. For fasting to be of great spiritual value, it must be coupled with praying and times of study in the word. If you go without food and without prayer that is not fasting God’s way, it is a hunger strike. During fasting you will definitely get hungry since you are denying your body food, and this is a good sign that your body is noticing your intentions, but not an indication that you should break the fast. However, there is a difference between mere hunger and thirst, and true biblical fasting. ‘In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness’ 2 Corinthians 11:27. Paul categorized them differently, showing that the two are different. Biblical fasting is for spiritual purposes, coupled with prayer and the study of the word, preplanned for a set period of time. You do not calling it fasting, just because you had no food for lunch. If you found out that there is no food for lunch, release faith for it, and just in case you fail to get it, then you will have a ‘forced fast’. A forced fast is when you choose to fast; praying and reading the word, instead of wasting your moments of hunger. It can be effective to a certain level, though it is not the best way either.

Jesus said; “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:17-18. Our Lord showed us the right way to fast, unlike the way the Pharisees fasted. Make sure your face is shinning, with a happy countenance; do not show off by disfiguring your face with a sombre mood. Be cheerful; we no longer fast with sack cloth and ashes like they did in the Old Testament, we are not emphasizing outward piety but inner devotion to God. During our fasting, our Father who sees in secret will reward us openly. Fasting is always rewarded by God once done His way for a spiritual cause. When you are becoming rusty in mind, heavy in spirit and uninterested in the things of God, add fasting to your prayers. When you want to set yourself apart, giving yourself fully to God; spirit, soul and body, you should engage the gear of fasting. Remember you do not fast to change God, you fast to position yourself better to hear and receive from God. “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard” Isaiah 58:6-8.
 

~ Robert Ssesanga

Pastor Robert Ssesanga founded Aflame Gospel Ministries and is Senior Pastor of Aflame Gospel Assembly in Kampala, Uganda. An author and speaker, he travels internationally preaching the Gospel with signs, miracles and wonders, as God attests to His word with power. His emphasis on victorious living and enjoying the supernatural life has impacted many lives in many nations. His passion is to demonstrate the gospel and impact generations.

Back to Top