# Getting on the Fast Track—Part 4

- Link: https://fontlife.com/getting-on-the-fast-trackpart-4/
- Published: 2011-07-12T08:00:00-04:00
- Author: Victor Font

In our [last lesson](https://fontlife.com/blog/getting-on-the-fast-trackpart-3/),
we discovered that Jesus teaches in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6) that giving,
prayer, and fasting are a threefold cord of Christian conduct that is not easily
broken. We discussed how we will grow closer to God than we ever thought possible
if we put these three behaviors into habitual practice. We also recognized that 
many Christians are a giving and praying people, but that sadly, fasting as a habitual
practice has largely fallen by the wayside. But did you know there are both right
and wrong reasons for fasting? Today, we’ll explore sound Biblical motives for fasting
as explained in the book [“Fasting” by Jentezen Franklin](http://www.amazon.com/Fasting-Opening-Intimate-Powerful-Relationship/dp/1596447435/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310004465&sr=8-1)(
Charisma House © Jentezen Franklin 2008, 2010)

There are different kinds of fasts. There are private fasts and those that the Bible
describes as “called fasts”—when unusual times and situations call for unusual measures
and supernatural responses from God.  But before you fast, you must ask yourself
three questions:

**1. What are your motives for fasting?**

You will lose weight, but that cannot be your motive. Also, your body will detox.
Fasting cleanses you and your digestive track will be healthier, but that is not
what a fast is all about. None of these great benefits are reasons to fast. So you
must ask yourself, “What is my motive for fasting?”

**2. What are the specific needs that I am fasting for?**

When people fasted in the Bible, they always fasted for a specific need. Sometimes
they were in trouble, sometimes it was for finances, and at other times they fasted
for their children or for help or for direction from God. Get in your mind the specific
reasons for your fast. If God asked you to list the top three things you want Him
to do in your life and family, you should be able to articulate these reasons and
keep them before the Throne of Grace during your fast.

**3. Am I determined to minister to the Lord during my fast?**

Normally, we think in terms of God ministering to us, but yes, it is possible for
us to minister to God. Let’s look at Acts 13:1–2

> Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers;
> as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen,
> which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered
> to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for
> the work whereunto I have called them.

Notice how these verses say, “As they ministered to the Lord?” Fasting is a time
we set aside for ministering to the Lord; it’s not about getting what we can get
from God all the time. God will move when we fast, but it should be a time when 
our heart is crying out, “I want to minister to You; I want to love You more; I 
want to know you better; I want to draw closer to You; my heart cries for You.”

The way you approach fasting is extremely important. If you are not serious about
it, then you won’t get serious results. The more serious you are about the fast,
the more seriously God will respond. If you are frivolous or lighthearted about 
it and have a heart’s attitude that says, “Well, I’ll fast, but I don’t really feel
like it,” then that’s not going to work. Your heart has to be in the fast, and when
your heart is in it, there will come a fellowship with God like you have never known
before!

Did you know it’s possible to go on a fast and have so many personal motives and
agendas that you’re not even fasting for God—you are fasting for your own wants 
and desires. Turn in your Bibles to Zechariah 7:4–6:

> Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, Speak unto all the people
> of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth
> and seventh_ month_, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me,_ even_
> to me? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat_ for yourselves_,
> and drink_ for yourselves_?

In this portion of Scripture, God is saying, “You have been doing this every year
at the same time for seventy years, but I want to know if anyone is hungering for
Me and My kingdom, for My agenda and purpose and plan on earth.”

When we fast, we submit our bodies to God and say, “Cleanse this body Lord, and 
deal with my habits and other things that are earthly. Get this nicotine out of 
me; get this lust out of me. I am presenting this flesh to You. I know my flesh 
will always be here, but I’m letting it know that Jesus is Lord in this temple.”
In [Getting on the Fast Track—Part 5](https://fontlife.com/blog/getting-on-the-fast-trackpart-5/),
we’ll examine several of the seven different fasts described in the Bible.