“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

As we celebrated the end of the 12:12:12 fast with a Feast last night at Forks Road East United Church in Wainfleet, I recalled how during a previous fast, Sulojana and I had sought the Lord for reconciliation with an estranged member of the family. We did indeed see years of no communication end within a few short weeks of us finishing the Fast.

One of our group immediately said something like: “I didn’t know you could fast for something specific like that!”

This was not the first time that someone had expressed concern about fasting with the expectation that a particular problem would be solved or a specific breakthrough would occur.  And with good reason, too. Because, it can come across as being self-serving.

However, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes it very clear that our Father in heaven “will reward” us, as long as we don’t make a show of it.

You can look up any number of examples in the Old Testament that verify the veracity of this promise. Here are a few instances:

• Jehoshaphat and his people fasted when threatened by Edom (2 Chronicles 20:3) and received an amazing victory.

• Ezra led a fast seeking protection and favour on their way back to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon (Ezra 8:21) and were rewarded with both!

• When the Jews of Esther’s day fasted with her, she found favour with the king, eventually leading to Haman’s destruction (Esther 4)-a great reward, wouldn’t you say?

Look also at the long list of rewards promised in the greatest passage on fasting in the entire Bible, Isaiah 58:

1.      Your  light will break forth like the dawn,

2.      Your healing will quickly appear;

3.      Your righteousness will go before you,

4.      The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

5.      You will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.

6.      The LORD will guide you continually;

7.      He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land.

8.      He will strengthen your frame.

9.      You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

10.  Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Need I say more?

Even before the 12:12:12 Fast was over, we had already received testimonies from an unemployed person who found his “ideal” job, and a healing testimony. Personally I found that in delivering prophetic words to people, my accuracy in hearing from God has increased exponentially.

What about you? Was Fasting a Rewarding Experience for you?

Did you go into the Fast with specific “Unfinished Business” from 2012?

What breakthroughs did you expect and experience?

What rewards did you seek and receive?

Would you kindly share them with us here? Thanks.