Previously we looked at two breakthrough benefits that can come through seasons of extended fasting. These two benefits — overcoming sin and being empowered by the Holy Spirit — directly impact us personally. This week, however, I want to look at one more benefit which comes through seasons of fasting, which will still benefit us but will benefit others much more. Let’s begin by looking at another biblical account of fasting in the book of Acts.
Fasting In Antioch
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 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.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 13:1-3 (emphasis mine)
In this brief story, we find that in the church at Antioch there were a group of leaders who came together for prayer and fasting. It does not tell us the length of their fasting period, but it seems to me that it was a season set aside for this purpose. After all, it is likely that some of these men had families and businesses to attend to. However, they came together for a period to fast and worship the Lord together.
I am sure that part of their pursuits in fasting included the things we discussed before. They would, as all Christians ought to do, be seeking greater levels of holiness and dedication to God in their lives, as well as more of the Holy Spirit’s grace and power in their lives. However, during this period of time, they also received something they didn’t expect: a new commissioning for missionary service.
As they prayed, the Lord spoke to the leaders: “set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Of course, a few years before, when Paul was first called by the Lord, it was revealed to him that he would carry the gospel to the gentiles (see Acts 9:15). However, he had spent the major portion of his time since his calling, either seeking the Lord alone in the wilderness of Arabia or learning from and serving within existing churches (see Galatians 1:11-24).
Launched Into Destiny
At this time, however, the plan and timing of the Lord were made evident to the leaders, through fasting. As the Holy Spirit spoke, the leaders obeyed: “Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
Paul (and Barnabas) was launched into the destiny God had for his life. Though he had personally known the calling and things to come, now the church was made certain and commissioned them for service.
The laying on of hands, throughout the Bible, was an act of public recognition of the calling on people’s lives. More than that, however, it was also a commissioning, which would carry with it the authority to do the work of ministry.
We see this same commissioning happening in the life of Jesus, when he laid hands on His apostles, and released them into their destiny, as well.
Apostolic Assignment
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Luke 6:12-16
Once again, we see Jesus setting aside his night, not to sleep, and not to fellowship with other believers, but to dedicate Himself to prayer. (He was probably fasting through the night as well.) In the morning, God had spoken to Him to appoint these men for their destiny as well.
Mark and Matthew add to their accounts of this story that when Jesus appointed them, he also gave them spiritual authority, which up to that time had been reserved for Himself, alone.
And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.
Mark 13:14-15
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
Matthew 10:1
Through Jesus’ night of prayer, these 12 men were called and appointed to a work that would change their own lives, and also the world!
Our Fasting Launches Others Into Their Destiny
Based on these stories, what we see is that as we give our time to prayer and fasting, God will (at times) not only empower us to serve Him better but through us, will call others into greater levels of His service as well!
Now, I said before that this third benefit will benefit us, as well as others, but I think the “how” should be obvious. As we are led to equip others, and launch them into ministry, then the new partnerships in God’s work between them and us will multiply the fruit we can bear.
In fact, in Matthew, one verse before Jesus appointed the twelve and released His authority into them, He made His famous statement:
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37
I personally believe this prayer was His own during the night on the mountain.
Seek The Benefit of Others
To shift this principle to become practical, I think the takeaway is that when we enter into a season of fasting and prayer, we must be seeking the Lord for bigger things than our own personal benefit.
Of course, we need to seek Him in repentance, and also His victory over sin to become our victory over sin (1 Peter 1:15-16). Of course, we need to be seeking more of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Ephesians 5:18). However, we should also be seeking God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:33), which requires our outlook and prayer focus to go beyond ourselves.
A major lesson I have learned since becoming a leader of leaders is that one of the greatest goals of my prayer life must be to see those around me strengthened, equipped, and launched into their God-given destiny. The good news is that scripture testifies that God hears that prayer and will do it!
So who do you need to launch into destiny? Who around you needs you to seek God’s wisdom and grace for their lives? Who is God calling you to equip, empower, and impart destiny to, in this season?
It seems that fasting and prayer is one great way to find out the answer.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Anthony Scott Ingram.
Featured Image by Anja- from Pixabay
