Christian Healing Ministry - Devotionals

Devotional for March 21, 2026

WHAT IS EFFECTIVE FASTING

SCRIPTURE READING - 📖 Isaiah 58:6-7

Is this not the fast that I have chosen, To lose 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 to provide the poor with shelter? When you see the naked, clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Additional Verses

📖 Isaiah 58:1-14; Matthew 6:1-18; John 6:1-14; Acts 4:32-36

Many children of God today have limited fasting as a time to spend in isolation in the presence of God in order that God may grant them their personal needs. Many are fasting today in order to get employment breakthrough, or to get a God fearing wife or husband or for business or financial breakthrough. Such fasting does not at all have anything to do with the love of God and a neighbor. When Moses in Exodus 34:1-35 was on Mount Sinai in the presence of the LORD for forty days and forty nights without food or water, it was not for his personal needs, but for the salvation of the children of Israel. It was the same for Elijah in 1 Kings 19:1-18; it was for the salvation of Israel. Following His Baptism in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus Christ was driven into the wilderness to fast for forty days and forty nights in preparation for His Ministry which He started in Matthew 4:23-24. His Ministry was to deliver and redeem the whole world from Satanic bondage. In Luke 4:18-19 Jesus Christ made the following declaration, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” This is what was prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 58:6-7 when he was defining fasting to the House of Judah. Jesus Christ also taught His disciples what they should do when they are fasting. It is the Father in heaven who should know that you are fasting. Matthew 6:16-18 says, “Moreover when you fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily l say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” In John 6:1-14 Jesus Christ demonstrated the God kind of fasting when He fed the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. In Acts 4:32-36 the believers demonstrated the God-kind of fasting when they sold their properties and brought the proceeds to the Apostles for distribution to all who were in need. Today I am saying to you, understand the Word of God and do what it requires of you as you do your prayer and fasting. Once this happens, the grace of God will rest upon your house. Alleluia!

Prayer

Thank You Father for Your Word that has taught me the right way to pray and fast. May You therefore fill me with Your love so that I may be able to share the many blessings I received from You with those in my community, who are without. I ask this in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.