Thousands of wonderful testimonies poured in from all over the world verifying the mighty power of fasting and prayer. They testified to all kinds of remarkable answers to fasting prayer: that the fasting type of prayer is far more effectual than ordinary prayer.

Services are held weekly: 
Sunday      10:00am - 12:00am
Sunday        7:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday  7:00pm - 8:00pm

We wish to express our appreciation to Christians everywhere for helping to do their part in spreading, world-wide, this glorious part of our Jesus’ message, fasting and prayer.

HOLY GHOST FIRE CONVENTIONS: 
JULY 1-10
DEC. 1-14
Why not write in today & let us know how you feel about this and what you would like to do? God bless and prosper you mightily, in His lovely name. Amen.
Hall Deliverance Foundation
9840 North 15th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020
(602) 944-9411

(As given to the author while visiting with Brother and Sister Osborn in their new house trailer during their wonderful tent-cathedral campaign in Reading, Pa., where 3,000 souls found Jesus as their Savior and many hundreds were healed from all man­ner of diseases. The East was stirred by this campaign. Thousands were packed around the tent.)

We were happy to let you know that we feel our lives have been revolutionized by fasting and praying to Jesus. It was by reading your books that we were enabled to go into many days and weeks fasting and praying. Both my wife and I have had many deep fasting and prayer experiences. My life was so changed that God began using me in the healing ministry. As I began to exercise the ministry of praying for the sick, more and more folks were healed.

 One day while in deep consecration the Spirit spoke thus: “My son, as I was with Price, Wigglesworth and others, so will I be with thee. They are dead, but now it is time for you to arise, to go and do likewise. You can cast out devils; YOU heal the sick; YOU raise the dead; YOU cleanse the lepers. Behold I give you power over all the power of the enemy. Be not afraid. Be strong. Be of good courage. I am with thee, as I was with them. No evil power shall be able to stand before THEE all the days of thy life, as you get the people to believe my Word. I used those men in their day; now I desire to use THEE.”

 The challenge of this commission, given directly from the Lord, caused me to trem­ble exceedingly, but I knew God meant every word He had spoken.

More days and weeks of fasting and prayer followed this tremendous commission, and more healings and miracles were the result.

 We have been able to conduct Healing Campaigns already in over a dozen of our states and on the island of Jamaica, B. W. I. In a single campaign which we conducted, as many as one hundred and twenty-five deaf-mutes, ninety totally blind, and hundreds of other equally miraculous deliverances have resulted. Happy and joyful conversions have numbered as many as nine thousand in one revival.

 We found people all over the island acquainted with your books and tracts. Many were fasting and praying for this revival before we came.

Brother Hall, we wanted you to know, we do appreciate your vision, and the tremendous way you have STIRRED THE WORLD with FASTING AND PRAYER.

 Yours in Christ for the DELIVERANCE OF ALL,

T. L. OSBORN
Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“We believe that there is a great truth in prayer and fasting, since Jesus, when speaking of the devil in the lunatic child, whom the disciples could not heal, declared, ‘This kind cometh not out but by prayer and fasting.’ We do realize that fasting to be seen of men for self-aggrandizement is futile and profitless. But fasting with prayer has a place, as the Scriptures plainly teach. We know of no writer whom God has so signally used to bring out Scriptural truth on fasting, as Evangelist Franklin Hall. We feel that ‘Atomic Power with God’ is the book of the hour for believers. We trust that this book will be a special help to those whose prayers, for one reason or an­other, have not been answered.

“Many of the associates of ‘The Voice of Healing’ magazine, like me, feel that fasting and prayer should have an important place in a successful salvation-healing ministry.”

Brother Gordon Lindsay 
Shreveport, La. 

  Little David was born in Phoenix, Arizona, Sept. 20, 1934. He sang his first song at two years of age. He prayed his first prayer at three years of age! At five Little David was about to go blind. He went on a three-day fast with prayer, going into the woods with some other little boys to pray. Satan talked to him and tried to discourage him the first day, but he kept praying and fasting. On the third day he went into the woods again and his prayer be­came more intense; the fast became prayer too. The windows of heaven opened and he received the Holy Spirit after the Bible pattern, and instantly he was completely healed and came home shouting! At the age of six he had another wonderful experience. At seven he was injured by a taxicab and again healed in answer to prayer. At nine years of age he was called to preach. At that age his spirit left the body and for five hours Little David was in heaven; a great light flashed in front of him, and he was called into the ministry. “Jesus told me to go, open my mouth, and He would fill it. I also received knowledge of many things that are going to come to pass,” stated Little David.

There is much more to this remarkable story of Little David than appears on the surface. Let us go back before he was born. Little David’s father, Brother Jack Walker, was not seeing souls saved; he became heavily burdened, crying out to God almost night and day, and still he was not satisfied. Then he undertook a fast in almost ceaseless agony and prayer for lost men and women. He received, from the somber heavens above, a ray of hope, al­though he did not know what it was all about. This much he did know, and that was that God had answered his prayer. He felt that victory was his without a shadow of doubt. His fast and prayer lasted for fourteen days. Immediately at the conclusion of this fast, a soul was given to the parents, and nine months later his son David was born. This child evangelist was to do more than his father could ever do, and was very definitely given in answer to most fervent prayers and FASTING.

Child and women preachers are last-day signs that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled. See Joel 2:28.

FASTING enables the Lord’s people to properly DISCERN THE LORD’S BODY (1 Cor. 11:29, 30) The Lord’s glory body from attaining the glory of the cross from His ascension back up in glory. His expedient returns to glory that He could bring it back to us through the Holy Spirit full baptism.

 Only one part of our salvation has seemingly been taught. The sin problem, eliminated by Jesus’ shed blood. The “SHORTNESS OF GLORY” portion (See Romans 3:23) “For all have sinned, (this portion taught over and over) and come short of the glory of God;” The latter portion is the most important for full redemption attainment, yet it has deplorably been left out.

Attention was called to the reader above. At least three persons who fasted much did enter into a portion if not all of the “shortness of glory” covering Com­forter Baptism of Holy Ghost Fire! The restoration of lost Garments of Adam and Eve! “The Garments of Salvation” (Is. 61:10) The “glory that is seen upon one” (Is. 60:1-5, 21, 22) also the protective ingredients (illustrated above) outlined in Isaiah 4:5: (1) CLOUD, (2) SMOKE, (3) FIRE, (4) and LIGHT. 

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TEACHING IN THIS VOLUME OF FASTING RESULTS:

Fasting properly unto our Lord brings forth the glory of the cross, enabling God’s people to come into full realization that we may also obtain a fundamental Body felt as well as the fundamental Heartfelt salvation experience.

THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER TO COME UPON US. (Lk. 24:49, Acts 1:4, 8; 2:3, 17, 19, Rev.3:17, 18 etc.) Salvation in our heart is not enough. Salvation upon us heals, protects from all harm and is accident sickness prevention!   

THE ULTIMATE GOAL AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE CROSS HAS NEVER BEEN REACHED BECAUSE... ONLY THE SHAME OF THE CROSS- HAS EVER DARED TO BE PREACHED. 

THE THREE MEN, RECORDED, TO HAVE FASTED 40 DAYS DEMON­STRATED THE GLORY OF THE CROSS! Moses received Body felt Salvation 

SUBSTANCE GLORY OF THE LORD UPON HIS PERSON

Elijah received the Glory of the Cross Substance so mightily upon himself that he was translated without seeing death. Jesus Christ, who found it necessary to empty Himself first of His Shekinah Glory, paying the COST-PRICE SHAME OF THE CROSS, then afterwards arose from the dead; BUT HIS RESURRECTION WAS NOT ENOUGH, it was like­wise necessary for him to get back up into His glory and be thereby reestablished in it that we too may possess the protective glory of the cross substance which is the kingdom of Heaven Glory.

If, as many believe, the unleashing of atomic energy is the prelude to the end of the earth, and if the seal judgments, the trumpet judgments, and the vial judgments of Revelation will soon be upon us, then the few who know and experience the saving power of God will do well to protect themselves against the day of His wrath, by a last great awakening through fasting and prayer. It will be the beginning of a new age for good, if the power of the Spirit is developed to a high degree by many through the use of the most powerful agent known to man, fasting and prayer. Without fasting, prayer becomes ineffectual. Fasting restores and amplifies prayer power.

A twenty-one, or forty-day prayer and fast will most assuredly hasten the Christian to such a deep and wonderful experience with God that twenty-one days will equal twenty-one years. Forty days will equal forty years. Expe­rience shows that the forty-day period brings far greater results than a shorter time. It will bring one closer to God more quickly than any other way known.

Like the doctrine of divine healing, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, etc., the truth of fasting has been sadly neglected. Many other forgotten Bible truths have been temporarily lost, only to be revived again in these “latter days” of this dispensation, the transition period between this and the millennial dispensation. The truth of fasting is being revealed to us now that we may secure the greater things of God, that we may receive the gifts o/ the Spirit,” and that a mighty world-wide revival of spiritual power will sweep over the world, with major signs and miracles in these last days. Fasting is the most potent power of the universe, and is placed at the disposal of every believer. A transformation in the body of Christ will begin, as Christians fast and pray.

The practice of fasting is as old as humanity. More than two thousand years ago, fasting was a custom advocated by the school of the natural philosopher, Asclepiades, for curative purposes. The Roman historian, Plutarch, said, “Instead of using medicine, fast a day.” Traces of ancient fasting are to be found in ancient Chinese and Hindu writings, The Indians also practiced it. It was used for religious purposes, as well as a method of restoring health. In the olden days they recognized the value of a fast, but today people look on fasting as a certain way to the grave. When a person speaks of fasting ten days, twenty-one days or more, many think it something horrible. It is through a lack of definite knowledge on the part of many, that this subject is so much misunderstood.

 Fasting is a CORNERSTONE of the Christian religion, yet there is seldom, if ever, a complete sermon on the subject. Moreover, it is an important, basic truth of the Bible; yet we so often overlook its value.

If Christians realized what great power and blessings they are missing, they would be only too eager and happy to fast. One of the reasons Satan cheats them out of this glorious experience, is through the misunderstanding and confusion that is so generally prevalent in regard to fasting.

 UNDERWEIGHT—GAINS 29 POUNDS AFTER FASTING

“On the thirty-first day of December, 1945, after hearing Rev. Franklin Hall on some enlightening teaching on fasting, I started a consecration fast. I partook of no food during the entire fast of fourteen days. Water was taken for the purpose of cleaning out the system. I was a heavy smoker, and it seemed impossible to give it up, but on the third day of the fast I had no further desire for smoking. On the fourth day of the fast, hunger left me en­tirely. A little later all weakness left; and to my surprise I began feeling better and stronger day by day. I could pray more earnestly, and with greater results. Several days later, I received the glorious baptism of the Holy Ghost. I kept busy with my work which was not heavy. The fasting did not bother me much. What Brother Hall tells you about fasting is true, in our new spiritual consciousness our eyes are opened to discern the true nature of our former natural environment. And it worked out just that way in my life. It was a glorious experience.

 “When I began the fast, I weighed one hundred and forty pounds. This was twenty-nine pounds underweight. At the conclusion of the fast, fourteen days later, I had lost sixteen pounds, for I weighed a hundred and twenty-four pounds. Sixty days later I had not only regained the lost weight, but also gained twenty-nine pounds more, which was exactly what a man of my age should weigh, to the pound, that is, one hundred and sixty-nine pounds.

Everyone told me that I looked better than they had ever seen me look, and I do feel better than I have felt for twenty years. All of my nervousness is gone, and I have better complexion, and best of all, I have received the Holy Ghost, and have a much deeper experience with the RECEIVES THE Lord.

 “My fast was shorter than many of the other brothers and sisters, but some day I hope to take a forty-day fast, as it certainly was a glorious experience to fast fourteen days. People do not know what they are missing.”

Charles Wilson
San Diego, California. 

WHAT IS FASTING?

 Let us see what the word fast means. I believe misunderstanding here causes much of our trouble about the subject of fasting. It is here that Satan deceives the average Christian.

 Webster’s, and also the Bible Dictionary, define fasting as, “abstinence from food. Especially as a religious observance.” (FAST: “To abstain from food.”). Now what does Webster say about water, as a food; or we may ask the question, “Is water food? "

 First, we will consider Webster’s definition of food, and it reads as fol­lows: “Food: nutriment; nourishment in solid form.”

 Food and water-drinking are two different things. To do without water results in thirsting, and thirsting means, “a great desire to drink.” Fasting will be understood better if we recognize these facts. One should not associate abstinence from water, with the subject of fasting; thus, we see the contradistinction between food and water.

The confusion that exists in the mind of the Christian, who believes that he is not to drink water in a fast, MUST be overcome. This has prevented many people from fasting over a period of several days. Therefore they have been deprived of some of the very greatest blessings.

 We will describe the protracted fast, or a “Complete Fast.” We are dealing with the type of fast taken by the Lord Jesus Christ. A fast like that of Paul, or Daniel: “Bible Fast.” A complete fast is a fast from the time hunger leaves, until the time hunger returns. Such a fast may continue from twenty-one to forty days, depending on the individual, and also on the amount of time it takes you to get your prayers through to Heaven.

Fasting and Starvation are also two entirely different things. 

 DRINK WATER WHEN FASTING

 To take a fast of this particular type, one must of necessity drink water. It is absurd for people to think about fasting and prayer without drinking water. Those who do this, do it in ignorance, and should be corrected by some constructive teaching. However, one may attempt a fast of a few days without drinking water, and find these facts to be immaterial.

 Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and to attempt a major fast without water would defile and pollute the body. Scripture states: “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.” I Cor. 3:17.

 Instructions are given by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:16-18) that “when thou fastest, anoint thine 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.” Washing the face is a sign of cleanliness. If it is good to wash your face to keep the toxic stains from face and body (washing being a type of cleanliness before God), then how much more logical it is to put water in your mouth, to clean out the corruption in the stomach. The stomach becomes deflated, collapsed, and depressed, when water is withheld long enough, and a person gets into bad shape. Without water, when fasting, the system will choke up, and the body becomes filthy, internally. The tongue, which is the upper part of the stomach, becomes heavily coated when fasting, showing visibly a part of the pollution that is in the stomach. Some doctors maintain that some food particles remain in the intestinal tract for more than a month, until putrefaction is worse than any garbage pail. 

For the first few days of the fast, the stomach, tongue, and body, become heavily laden with the corruption that is trying to loosen itself. These particles that have remained in the stomach unassimilated, with other fecal matter, require a great deal of water to break them down and help soften this material so that it can be eliminated. Cramps, displeasure, misery, and other discom­forts, are frequently experienced during this initial period. Water aids in the loosening and softening of this fecal matter without which the corrup­tion will harden; the worms and bugs, which are nearly always present to some extent, will dry up on the intestines, the tongue will eventually thicken, and if the thirsting fast is prolonged, the individual will die, unless the Lord intervenes.

Paul knew the difference between ‘thirsting” and “fasting.” He distin­guishes them in II Cor. 11:27, “in hunger and thirst, IN FASTINGS OFTEN.” If “hunger and thirst” were the same thing as “fasting,” he would not have repeated the same thing, any more than “cold” and “nakedness” are the same. Please note that a comma is inserted between each phrase. Paul was also educated.

 A person should not only recognize the value of the fast, but whether your fast continues ten days, two weeks, forty days, or longer, your bowels should move every few days. If a person does not drink water while the fast is in progress, how can these channels of elimination function properly? The drinking of water will continue the process of cleaning while the fast con­tinues. If the bowels do not move, please do not worry; there is no cause for alarm. Some folks’ bowels do not move at all during the entire fast.

 The drinking of water does not prevent one from drawing closer to God. Water is pure, and is a type of Salvation, and of the Holy Spirit. (John 4:14.) Water, unlike corruptible food, evaporates into the atmosphere, while food goes back to the earth. Water is not stimulating, while food is. Food feeds the appetites of carnality; water does not.

When an individual fasts, his pores become laden with toxins, especially his hands and face, therefore, he should bathe externally as often as possible.

 In about two weeks, more or less, the average individual will have most of the wastes, poisons, toxins, fecal materials, etc., eliminated. That is, unless this individual has a deep-seated functional ailment. Even if this be the case, this should be relieved and healed if the fast is continued.

 It is quite evident that Jesus took water while fasting forty days. There are four things that bear evidence in this regard. Shall we study our Lord’s fast?

 Matthew 4:2-11: “When he had fasted.” We pointed that the definition of fasting does not exclude water drinking, and it does not mention that Jesus thirsted forty days, in the Scriptures. It is called a fast, and not a thirst.

“He was afterward an hungered.” It does not say that He afterward thirsted. When a person does without both food and drink, water means far more to him than food. A man can go days without food, but this same individual can go but a very short time without water. Especially is this true in a hot and torrid climate.

It seems very evident that Jesus did drink water.  Satan knew that He wasn’t thirsty, because he did not tempt Him with water. He said, “Command that these stones be made bread.”  The answer that the Son of God gave to Satan is very evident. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” This seems to prove that He had partaken of water, for we must notice, in this connection, the failure to mention water.

 You may ask if the fast that Jesus took was a supernatural one. No, this fast was not in any way a supernatural fast, for fasting is not supernatural, whether it is done by our Lord, or by the ones for whose salvation He paid the great price. “FASTING IS A SCIENCE.” Anyone can fast for long periods of time, but only the Christian can expect supernatural results. The fast of Jesus can be said to be natural, on the ground that after His fast, He hungered. The natural hunger that had left his body for a time, returned again. This is true in any fast, if the fast is prolonged to its normal comple­tion, when true hunger returns.

      Critics, who say that only Jesus could fast forty days, and that no one else can do so, are condemning something they know nothing about. They are in need of trying a fast themselves, then they would realize with a great awaken­ing, the value of fasting.

      The argument is brought to us that Moses fasted forty days. Please tell me what Scripture states this? In Exodus 34:28-29, we read, “And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water.” This abstinence was not called FASTING HERE, as failing to drink water is outside the meaning of the word. Why change the meaning of the word FASTING? On the mount, Moses was “there with the Lord for forty days”—this explains why Moses did not drink water—he was with the Lord, literally with the Lord. I am certain that if we were allowed to stand in His presence and be with God, we would neither have to eat, drink, or breathe, whether we were with Him forty days, or forty years. Actually the Lord Himself is our Food, Drink and Sustainer. This was true with Moses, because (Vs. 29) —“The skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.” The children of Israel were actually afraid of Moses. For he had received supernatural radiation that was far more real than food and drink. He had to veil his face to talk to them. When Moses died, he had the strength and constitution of a young man: “His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.⁷ Deut. 34:7.

            If any person fasts without taking water, and he can do so if he wishes, I must say, “Amen.” However, any person can take short fasts of several days only, without water, as well as food, and still receive spiritual benefits for their sacrifice. See Esther 4:16, “Fast ye for me and neither eat nor drink three days.”

     Doing without food will give you that spiritual uplift and power, with or without water. This has been proven many times. This fact is true in the fast of a few days, but we are now dealing with the long fast, which will give one power to do mighty things, seemingly the impossible, the fast that will break down denominational barriers and restore the body of Christ to its place of power and into the unity of the faith.

  Dr. Tanner, who fasted over forty days on three occasions, declared that in the second half of each of the three fasts, the unspeakable glories of the world beyond were revealed to him. Dr. Tanner lived to be ninety-two years of age, and gave credit to fasting for his longevity of life. In Dr. Tanners’ day they ridiculed Christ’s fast, saying, “nobody could fast that long.” Dr. Tanner challenged them. His first fast lasted over forty days, and was under observation by his disbelievers. He was weighed and checked daily; thus he broke down the ridicule of fasting in his time. Dr. Tanner was a physician as well as a Christian. His first fast was so glorious; BLACK HAIR REPLACES that later on he took additional fasts of over forty days. After his last fast a crop of new black hair appeared in place of the grey hair.

 Luther fasted for days at a time, while translating the Bible, and herein undoubtedly lies the secret of his unrivaled translation, and it is also responsible for bringing the reformation revival of his time. His great faith was likewise largely through the revelation of God’s presence, which is revealed through PRAYER AND FASTING. Thank God for men that get a vision, who will go all out. 

 A close study of the Scriptures will show clearly that sin is sin. The partaking of an over-amount of food is classed in the category of sin, be­cause the same damage is done to the body, as by alcohol, tobacco, dope, etc. This fact is also emphasized by Jesus Christ when He was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was tempted to command the stones to become food. Jesus’ answer was very effective, “MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.” See Deut. 8:3 and Matt. 4:4. Again Jesus shows what value the world will place on food when “The Son of Man cometh. For as in the days that were before the flood, they were EATING AND DRINKING. So shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” Jesus is not criticizing the eating to live. But He is greatly condemning the “living to eat,” that is so prevalent everywhere. It is a sign of the last days. The sign that tells us that the coming of our Lord draweth nigh. In Matt. 24:37, 38, and Luke 21:34, eating is placed ahead of drinking. 

“SANCTIFY A FAST, CALL A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY:” Joel 2:15.

To see our loved ones saved, souls converted and a sweeping revival come in our midst; to have God work miracles, and heal our diseases, and pour out His Holy Spirit, we must start a fast and prayer in the home. “LORD, let it begin in me!” Even if you are the only converted member of the family, you can get hold of God in such a way, by FASTING AND PRAYER that Jesus, seeing your fervor and zeal developing the faith for the salvation of your loved ones, will most certainly hear your prayer and convert them. Many times a person has done this, and not only were the loved ones con­verted, but the Lord so rewarded them that an “old-fashioned” revival swept the whole community, saving, healing, and blessing mightily with the Spirit. 

  If church leaders and parents, the heads of churches and homes, do not live up to "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” how can we expect our children to be saved? FASTING WAS AS SURELY A PART OF THE FAITH that was once delivered unto the saints as anything else. Fasting is one of the great foundation piers of the Christian religion. The structure of the Christian religion is built upon the vital truth of prayer and fasting. It was a vital part of the early church. Therefore, the great results that accompanied it were seen in those early days.

 The lack of fasting explains the great “falling away,” the “losing their first love,” because man cares more for his “desire-nature,” than for the fortification of his soul. People have failed to follow the complete pattern of the faith formula of Christ, given in Matthew, chapter seventeen, or Mark 9:29. They not only failed to have power to do the impossible, but after the days of the apostles the church became powerless, and eventually began to say that the days of healing were over; that the miracles were not for them anymore; the Holy Spirit, after the Bible pattern, was forsaken, and the power of the apostolic age was lost. Many splits soon divided the church of Jesus Christ. The men of old that had fasted and prayed, and who had power with God to perform miracles of healing, had either died, or had been martyred. The younger generations discontinued the use of fasting.

 Three of the most highly developed spiritual giants of the Bible are three who fasted for the full length of FORTY DAYS. First and foremost is our Lord Jesus Christ who “was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, and when He had fasted forty days and forty nights . . .“ Second, we have the mightiest spiritual giant of the entire Old Testament, Moses, who “was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water,” and who, on a second occasion, “fell down before the Lord forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread, nor drink water.” And third, we have the mighty prophet Elijah, that called down the “fire of the Lord that consumed the burnt sacrifice,” and “who prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months,” and we read of him that he went without eating, “in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.” When the apostle James wanted to select a man who was an example of “effectual fervent prayer,” he chooses Elijah, a man who could go for forty days without eating. It is the man who fasts, who has the spiritual character that can pray through on a really big job. When God said that He would destroy the whole Israelite nation for their sin, it is “Moses His chosen,” who fasted forty days, and “stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He should destroy them.” Psalm 106:23. 

 Other folk of great importance and high spirituality that fasted during long periods when they were under great mental strain and tribulation are Anna the prophetess, David, Daniel, John the Baptist, and Paul. A close study of their lives shows they gained great spiritual strength by fasting and prayer that otherwise they would not have received. 

 Fasting was part and parcel of the very life of Christ, and yet this very essential part of Christian life has been ignored by many Christians as if it were an unsolved mystery. It was never meant to be hidden, and should never have been so overlooked. This may explain why we have not had a more complete outpouring of the latter rain. Surely such a stupendous truth cannot continue to be a secret hidden in plain sight for over nineteen hundred years. The strides and progress of man in other channels have been so enlightening and progressive. Surely we feel that it is time, long past due, for all to “labor for Christ,” in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Try this truth that gives such a treasure-house of riches and strength. We do not fast to merit favor from God or as a penance. 

 We read that “Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” And the very next sentence tells us that He fasted. Why did He fast at the very time He was being tempted? For we read in Luke’s Gospel that He was “forty days tempted,” and in those same forty days “He did eat nothing.” What is the connection between temptation and fasting? Is it not that fasting is the mightiest possible preparation of soul, to insure victory over temptation? And would we not do well to follow our Lord’s example, and avail ourselves of this mighty weapon with which to meet and overcome him “who goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”? 

We are not told in Matthew, chapter four, the reason for His fast. But in Matthew, chapter seventeen, Jesus explains it. Before this time His disciples were not able to bear this teaching. The great revelation of why He fasted was shown when He healed this lunatic boy, and answered the question that the disciples had asked Him: “Why could not we cast him out?” Matt. 17:19. 

Please remember that Christ, as well as being God, was also in the flesh as man. 

 It seemed that the disciples had become a reproach, or disgrace to Christ, because they could not heal this individual. They apparently were ashamed of themselves so they came to Jesus secretly, to ask of Him the reason why they were not able to cast out the demons. Then the secret of Jesus’ fast was revealed, and He showed to them and to us what “Super-Atomic Power” one can have. Anyone can have that power, thank the Lord. All can have it that will follow the instructions given by Him, and plainly taught through­out the Bible. “Have Faith as a grain of mustard seed . . . and nothing shall be impossible unto you . . . by prayer and fasting.” Matt. 17:20, 21.

 The disciples were helpless. No one could give help in this major prayer problem except One. That Person had fasted forty days and forty nights, and He was the only one in the midst who had so fasted. Praise His name! 

However, Jesus clearly shows that anyone who had had a prayer and fasting experience could cast out the evil spirit, for He says, “This kind cometh out by prayer and fasting.” Our Lord teaches here the big difference between prayer alone, and prayer, combined with fasting.

 In that momentous struggle of forty days of fasting JESUS had AVAILED HIMSELF OF THE MOST POWERFUL AID AT HIS DISPOSAL. Jesus fasted in order to secure His perfect faith from His humanity side, and He urged fasting upon His disciples to remedy their weak faith. He declared that they would fast, using the words, “Then will they fast,” and gave directions in Matthew chapter six, which are intended to insure to all of His followers the same benefits of fasting which He obtained. The disuse of fasting is in direct opposition to the practice, example, and the teaching, of Christ.

 There is no record of Christ healing the sick, or performing any miracle, until after he had fasted forty days and forty nights. After this mighty fast, and not before, He was fully equipped, capable, and prepared for any and all emergencies. At this moment, how much Faith have you at your disposal, to meet any obstacle?  

When Jesus was twenty-one years old the record shows He had not yet performed a miracle. At twenty-five, he still had no healings, miracles, and no manifestation of His Divine Sonship. He became twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight and twenty-nine years of age, and yet, no miracles or manifesta­tions. Why? He had not received the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and had not spent forty days fasting. It was necessary for Jesus to be prepared and have all the spiritual equipment, before He went forth to perform His mighty works.

 Satan’s rage knew no bounds at the conclusion of Christ’s fast, and he sought ways and means to subdue Him. Christ could not have been tempted by something He did not need. But we read that “when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungered.” Now, Jesus could turn these stones into bread and yield to an appetite similar to the one Eve yielded to in the Garden of Eden. The answer that Jesus gave was not only an answer to Satan, but throws a challenge to all humanity: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4. 

 Jesus received the Holy Spirit, but this did not seem sufficient. It requires fasting and prayer to operate the Holy Ghost. 

Jesus, at thirty years of age, only after praying and fasting forty days and forty nights, began to manifest Himself as the Son of God with all power, signs, and wonders. There was such an awakening! Fasting is the most power­ful means at the disposal of every child of God. Fasting literally becomes prayer to the praying Christian, prayer that is as different as an atomic bomb compared to an ordinary bomb. Prayer alone is like the ordinary bomb, and the fast with prayer, is comparable to the Super-Atomic Bomb. 

 Jesus knew the positive value of prayer and fasting, and was confident that they were the only means to the end that He sought. Jesus fasted in order that prayer might become prayer in the highest sense—might reach its highest intensity. He blazed the way that we are to follow. Although Jesus knew He was the Son of God, this assurance was stamped more indelibly upon Him by the prayer and fasting of forty days.

 Satan was not too much interested in Christ until He was ready to MANI­FEST HIS SONSHIP. Then and only then, after His forty-day fast, was Satan right on the job, ready to assail Him in every way that he could. If Christ was immune, and could not have sinned or yielded to Satan at this time, then this would have been the greatest farce that the world has ever seen. Surely, Christ could have yielded to this temptation. Satan knew that He could, and set about to try Him. Jesus Christ, with fasting back of Him, was well prepared for the attack. We are so thankful that although Jesus was tempted and tried in every manner, as we are, yet He did not yield to temp­tation; He victoriously overcame Satan. We can likewise be an over-comer.

 Fasting and praying, then, aids us in overcoming temptations and trials, and prepares us to meet the attacks of the enemy. 

 When we fast and pray, we should never lose sight of the fact that our FAST must be for THE GLORY OF GOD, that Jesus shall continually have ALL PRAISE, HONOR, AND GLORY. A continual PRAISE, along with our PRAYERS, SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS TO OBTAIN THE FULLEST SPIRITUAL RESULTS. In other words, make it a time of FASTING AND PRAISE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. Jesus, our MEDIATOR, is the ONE WHO WILL SEE THAT WE ARE RICHLY REWARDED. THE ONE WHO “BOUGHT US WITH HIS OWN BLOOD” IS CERTAINLY WORTHY OF MUCH PRAISE AND HONOR. A PRAISE THAT CONTINUALLY FLOWS FROM THE HEART IS LIKE INCENSE THAT RISES TO THE THRONE OF GOD. The four beautiful LIVING CREATURES of Rev. 4:8, ‘REST NOT DAY AND NIGHT, SAY­ING, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHICH WAS, AND IS, AND IS TO COME.” This may sound very foolish to the sinner, but to the child of God it sounds like, “HALLELUJAH! “ AMEN. 

All Christians are delighted to read the Psalms; they encourage us to press onward. They are filled with scores of promises and blessings for believers. The Psalms are a product of Fasting and Prayer. The sublime utterances in the Psalms are not exaggerations, as has been asserted by some. Only in the realm of higher receptivity made possible by prayer and fasting, is the soul able to receive such revelations as Psalms 35:13; 69:10; Psalm 78:18-32;107:17-18 and 109:22-26; II Sam. 12:16-23. 

 David sought God in long fasts; in fact he fasted so long at times, that he looked like a skeleton. Psalm 109:23, “I am tossed up and down as the locust. My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. I became a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me, they shaked their heads.” So much fat was lost that he actually became a reproach to look at; his friends and neighbors shook their heads. No doubt some ceased to be his friends and began criticizing; this is just what happens today when an individual seeks GOD long enough in fasting and prayer. Some people say we should always go into the desert or wilderness to fast, like Moses and Christ. That is good, but here is an instance in which David did not care who saw him. (This fast is also prophetical of Christ’s 40-day fast.) 

 David must have fasted forty days or longer, to have lost so much weight. David was not interested in what people thought of his appearance. He fasted in mourning and humbleness; he was only interested in how he could please God, and reach HIM. I have seen many folk who fasted longer than forty days, yet they looked better than this description of David.

As certain as we “labor for the meat above,” we shall not stand in very high favor with the world. When we enter into the spirit of fasting and prayer, we are not interested in what others say about us. We are after that which is worth more than silver and gold. If you fast and pray, and really get into the spirit of it, your prayers may seem more difficult at times, than when you are praying without fasting. The main victories are usually attained after fasting. In the battle you are progressing further, with higher moun­tains to climb, darker places to penetrate, higher walls to surmount, and deeper depths to plow through. (Psalm 35:13: “I humbled my soul with FASTING; and my PRAYER RE­TURNED INTO MY BOSOM.”) Fasting is not something to glory in, or to be puffed up about. Along with the fast we are to go down into humility, disregarding what people think and say. It should be a time of real weeping and mourning. Our unworthiness should be realized, and the farther down we go, the higher will our Christian experience rise. It will be a great spiritual fight all the way through.

 1 wish to state that some children of the Lord fail to press into the proper place of prayer, along with the fast, just because they find it difficult to pray. But that is no reason for not praying. Your prayers will absolutely blast through to heaven, if you settle down to do it, and labor at the job, and “ask” and “seek” and “knock,” as Jesus told us to do. The Devil will be around to hinder, and prevent you from accomplishing your purpose, but PRAY THROUGH, FAST THROUGH, and press your way through till you open heaven. Shorter prayers under the influence of fasting, are far more effective than longer prayers when off the fast. We are in a channel of prayer, while fasting that leads directly to the throne. The ear of God is open to hear the prayer of His fasting saint.

Usually, the first few days of a fast are the most difficult time to pray, because the weakness of the body has not gone, and the body has not been cleansed. Pray as much as possible, as long as possible, and as fervently as possible, regardless of lack of strength, and when you get over “the hump,” it becomes easier to fast and pray; generally speaking, you get stronger physi­cally. You can gradually put yourself into it, devoting more time to prayer; then the fast itself actually becomes prayer. Please bear this in mind when fasting. A Christian then has such power, that these obstacles mentioned will seem easier and easier to surmount, as one presses on to more and greater obstacles, all of which will be victoriously overcome, and a continual growing power, greater than ever, will be felt by the person, as long as he or she stays in the center of God’s will.

Those employed, or who are working at various jobs, will find it difficult to spend all the time seeking God in prayer. But you can still secure very desirable results, and the Lord will bless you much, if you can keep in a spirit of prayer while you work. If one’s work is extremely burdensome, it will be difficult to fast and concentrate in prayer. Sometimes a person on a job has begun a fast, and a time of prayer, and has become so lost in the spirit of prayer that nothing matters but Jesus Christ, and they lose interest in their work, and everything else around them, to such an extent that they receive a special call of God for their life work. 

  Generally speaking, fasting will be a heavy, burdensome experience; because Satan does not want you to obtain the great “FAITH” that is promised to one who fasts. You will be fighting against spiritual forces of darkness. 

 There are four things necessary to human life. They are placed herewith in order of importance:

THE FIRST GREAT ESSENTIAL TO LIFE IS AIR, NOT FOOD.  THE SECOND IS NOT FOOD, AS SOME WOULD SUPPOSE, BUT WATER.  THE THIRD IS STILL NOT FOOD, BUT SLEEP.  FOOD IS THE FOURTH GREAT ESSENTIAL.

 Of the four great essentials, food is generally put first, because we have to pay for it; while air, water and sleep are available on a “when-needed” basis, without cost.

 For illustration, little animals, tested in the laboratories, have taught us some interesting things. These animals, deprived of food, but not water, for twenty days, lost more than half their weight, yet were afterwards saved by judicious feeding. But when they were completely deprived of sleep, even while getting more careful feeding and other attention, they died within five days.

 The human being reacts similarly. In a protracted fast, extending into weeks of time, a person can rest and sleep properly, and come out feeling fine. The longest period of authentic wakefulness on record is not quite ten days. Legends of prolonged insomnia are heard from time to time, but as they have never been verified, they continue as mere legends; consequently, food is proven to be less important than sleep.

 Food is less important than water because a man in a hot desert sun will die in a few hours, or several days at the most, if he has no water to drink; (this is more fully explained elsewhere). Food is less important than the air we breathe, because, if we could not breathe, thereby getting fresh air into our lungs, we would die in a few moments. So food does not have as important a place in life, as most of us are inclined to believe. Although a person can continue weeks, and sometimes even months, without anything to eat, which is much longer than he could live without any of the other essentials, yet food has a very important place in the physical welfare and is one of the four essentials.

 Some people wear out one set of teeth digging their way to the grave. Then they buy a second set to finish eating themselves to death.

 William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, has said concerning temperance:
 “To this a spare diet contributes much. Eat therefore to live, and do not live to eat. That’s like a man, but this below a beast.”

 It is very important to point out here for emphasis, that fasting and starva­tion are two entirely different things. Fasting is a physiological process. Whereas fasting is beneficial, and will rid the body of most diseases, star­vation is detrimental, and if continued long enough, ends in death. (This could seldom if ever happen, before from fifty to a hundred days.) The difference between these two processes is fundamental.

The appetite of hunger will have to be overcome and overruled for the time being, with extreme will power, and assistance from the Lord. The first days of the fast are very, very difficult. Sometimes several attempts will be necessary before the candidate will have fasted long enough for hunger to leave. Not only does the body crave food at stated and regular times, by reason of long-continued habit, but the mind likewise becomes restless and continues to remind one that food would be relished. The battle is both mental and physical.

One never realizes until he begins a fast, how important a factor food really is, to his mental frame of mind, as well as to his physical and spiritual being. As long as the body is continually nourished, one does not think of food to any great extent, but as soon as it is withheld, it begins to occupy an important part in the mental life; one has a constant tendency to think of food. He anticipates, even at the very beginning of the fast, the day when abstinence will terminate, and when eating will again become possible. This craving of the body can be overcome only by immediate distraction to other activities, and by keeping in the spirit of prayer. A glass or two of water will alleviate the immediate gnawing symptoms, which usually develop in the region of the stomach. These sensations are produced by the rhythmic activity of the muscles in and about the stomach, and are present when food is first withheld, and when the thought of food occupies the mind. As soon as this thought is banished, by concentration upon Christ, these rhythmical muscular con­tractions soon subside. After a short time, these acute sensations of hunger will pass away, probably to occur again later, perhaps at the next regular meal time. A repetition of the water drinking, and prompt distraction of attention, will again dispose of these symptoms. After three or four days, it will be found that real hunger will not return again until the return of natural hunger at the conclusion of the fast. Habit hunger, which is different, will often make its appearance, and leave just as unexpectedly as it came. 

If one wishes to hasten the effects of fasting at the beginning, a salt water flush can be used to flush out the colon. (This should NOT be used after the first several days.) To one quart of hot water, add two level teaspoons of salt, and drink. This may be done at any other time on an empty stomach, when not fasting, for cleansing purposes.

 Very often during a fast, one will become highly sensitive to the taste of water. The taste sense becomes very acute, as well as all of the senses, and one will detect flavors and metallic tastes never noticed before. Bottled, or other pure water, is preferable to ordinary hydrant water.

 To avoid cramps in the stomach, and some other un­pleasantness, hot or warm water should be drunk instead of cold water, unless the cold water is taken very, very slowly. This is more important if a person is thin, or the fast taken in cold weather.

 One of the greatest obstacles to be overcome by practically all who under­take this unusually beneficial experience, will be the persuasion of over-solicitous relatives and friends, who invariably endeavor to tempt him to break his fast prematurely, on a false alarm that he is injuring his body, or he is starving to death! These persuasions of over-solicitous relatives become very strong and insidious, and he may fall by the wayside, and give in to a tempting dish. If he does, he should not be discouraged, because frequently many efforts, and much will power, will have to be exerted.

 A common belief that one must remain indoors and perhaps in bed, through­out a fast of any duration, is entirely erroneous and is based on the assump­tion that we derive our strength and energy directly from the food consumed. A certain feeling of languor may be present during the early or latter days of a fast. A working man can continue working if his work is not overly strenuous. His prayer, however, will not likely be as concentrated, or as effective. Sylvia McVay writes on her 42-day fast: “I did all my housework, cooked three meals a day for my husband and four children, washed our clothes on a washboard, and attended church every night.”

 Before arising in the morning, one should exercise gently in bed and breathe deeply. This will counteract any dizziness and any other strange feelings that may occur at first. Plenty of water should be taken; this should be taken slowly. Usually these symptoms are felt during the first few days only, and disappear entirely later on (When hunger returns, the weakness experienced will be real and will not pass away as the earlier symptoms did). Never rise from any position suddenly. The purpose of rising slowly is to get the blood in free circulation, so that you will not experience fainting.

 After the body toxins have been consumed, eliminated, and oxidized, one will feel stronger mentally and physically. Pains, dizziness, weakness, and peculiar feelings, will have disappeared. All of the various organs and parts of the body, as well as the sense faculties, will be revitalized. Spiritually, one will feel as if the demons of hell are turned against him. It is doubtful if you will ever have such trials as the strange ones that show up while fasting, or at the close of the fasting period. The trials encountered at this time are numerous; naturally, the Devil will fight to prevent a child of God making headway toward FAITH. It simply means defeat for Satan. Jesus’ greatest testing came after He had fasted forty days and forty nights. BEFORE HE PERFORMED A SINGLE MIRACLE, HE FASTED. FASTING AND PRAYER DRIVES OUT ALL UNBELIEF AND DOUBT. Read Luke 4, Psalm 109:22-31, and Psalm 3:13.

 You will be rewarded. THERE IS NOT SUCH A GRAND, GLORIOUS and WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, AS THE MARVELOUS VICTORY BROUGHT BY PRAYING AND FASTING. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE BLESSINGS. PRAYERS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR YEARS WILL BE ANSWERED. YOUR DISEASES, OR THE SICKNESS OF OTHERS FOR WHOM YOU HAVE BEEN SO LONG PRAYING WILL DISAPPEAR. Your loved ones will be saved. 

  Although various complications, many of which have been enumerated, ap­pear while fasting, such as fainting, fever, dizziness, headaches, a tendency to vomit, severe sharp pains in the abdomen, weak knees, short breath, sleepless­ness, or sleepiness all the time, nervousness, vexation, foul breath, watery nose, sneezing, backache, burning kidneys, side-ache, etc. THIS DO NOT all appear at one time. PERHAPS ONLY ONE OR TWO may be noticed by any one individual in an entire fast. Please do not be alarmed, as this is just a natural result of the fast, and in nearly all cases is experienced only during the first part of the fast. Usually hot water drinking, enemas and exercise will stop the condition. After the body is cleansed, the con­dition will subside. Pains in abdomen are often caused by drinking cold water too fast. A change to hot water will remedy the condition. Oxida­tion of waste material in the intestines causes the fever. Large enemas wherever necessary, are helpful. The enema bag should be elevated high. Some medical advisers, however, state that it is not always necessary for the bowels to move when fasting—that enemas are not always necessary. 

Until we definitely know that God has heard our prayer, so that we a acquire “THE POWER” that Jesus speaks of, to do the seemingly “impossible.” We should continue to fast and pray, regardless of whether this requires one meal, seven days, or a complete fast of several weeks, forty days, or until true hunger returns, which usually takes several week or sometimes longer. It is our glorious privilege and duty to fast through to a victorious experience. However, we do not buy God’s favor by this work.

 It is more difficult for an older person to fast, although from a physical standpoint they may need it more. It takes a much longer time for weakness to leave; sometimes fainting tendencies may be felt, and due to this condition, it is advisable that an older person be with another individual, who can help if necessary, until weakness leaves. Sometimes several fasts of a week or ten days may be better at first, before a long one is undertaken.

A few days after hunger leaves, or within a week or two, depending on age, the weakness that you have felt generally leaves, and fasting becomes much easier. (In some instances it may take much longer.)

After these first eight, ten or fifteen days, more or less, fasting becomes a matter of routine and actually becomes easier. You should now concentrate in prayer, seek an answer from heaven, a revelation, a healing, or some spiritual operation of God, in your life.

 After fasting and praying for what is God’s will for us to have, then discontinue your praying for the objective sought. Continued praying for things that are already promised us results in prayer of unbelief. Those prayers are not answered. Please lay claim on it now, by fixing a time for your faith to explode, and from then on, always thank Jesus for it. You will be a possessor. From now on “confess it.” Study carefully Romans 10:9, 10. This Scripture applies to anything we may want from God. 

 When a fast is begun, the first things which are oxidized and eliminated are those useless materials floating about in the form of mal-assimilated food material, which sometimes choke the small blood vessels and congest the lymph vessels. In other words, THE VERY THINGS WHICH WE WISH TO ELIMINATE FROM THE SYSTEM, ARE THOSE WHICH NATURE ACTUALLY DISPOSES OF FIRST OF ALL. Fasting is house-cleaning of the body. The Holy Spirit, then, is given a clean temple in which to dwell. Cleanliness is also godliness. When assimilation stops, the processes of elimination are greatly accelerated. We will show four methods used in this process. 

 (1) The SKIN, through its millions of pores, is one channel through which much toxic waste is eliminated. Much more waste is removed through our pores during a fast, than at any other time. This is one reason Jesus said, “When thou fastest . . . wash thy face.” It is also a good practice to bathe frequently to keep the excreted material washed away, and the pores open. 

(2) The KIDNEYS: Much water drinking is highly beneficial. It dilutes the urine which constantly washes out the poisons that are poured into the kidneys. Water drinking is a “MUST,” during a fast. Drink at least six glasses of water daily, or enough to satisfy thirst. 

 (3) The LUNGS play an important part in this house cleaning process. It would seem almost unbelievable that loads of poisons are exhaled in the fast through the nostrils, from the oxygenation of the blood. The same amount of poison is released through the nostrils and lungs, as through the kidneys, bowels and skin. All persons smell alike during the first part of the fast, and a person familiar with fasting will recognize the odor as that of a brother or sister, fasting, and instead of criticizing, will rejoice in his or her heart that his brother or sister is fulfilling some of the works of the Lord. If a person is praying and fasting as he should, the odor will not bother him. If you do not wish to have an obnoxious breath around your neighbor, get some menthol crystals at the drug store. A very fine crystal particle will dissolve on the tip of your tongue, so that your breath will not be noticed for a long time; there will be such a small amount in the tiny crystal, that it will not get back of your tongue far enough to get into the stomach. The reason that I mention this point, is that some folks have chewed gum when fasting, and the amount of sugar in the gum would it almost enough to break the fast. The menthol crystal will be stronger than gum, more lasting in the breath, and too small to reach the stomach. This is only a suggestion. Bad breath is a good sign that the house cleaning process is going on. This vapor that comes from the lungs will clear up later on in the fast, and the breath, as well as the taste in the mouth, will become as CLEAN AND ODORLESS as that of a baby, believe it or not. 

 (4) The BOWELS are the fourth channel of elimination. It would be well if they would move every day or two, but often they move with less frequency while on the fast, but do not be alarmed if they should not move very often.

 Since all four of these methods of elimination are at work, is it any wonder that fasting us a way towards health? If in good health, this is a method for preventing sickness.

 Fasting is the most powerful, and the quickest agent known, for curing functional ailments. Especially is this true of stomach disorders. That is why it is so very necessary to break the fast carefully with fruit juices; fol. lowed by fresh fruit, for several days.

 If a person is in an adverse state of health, his eyes, throat, liver, glands, blood, and a little later even his kidneys become REJUVENATED and greatly benefited. This is a natural law, designed by God, and this physical aspect is touched upon so that we may realize that fasting and prayer to God is harmless to the body. Would it not be unreasonable to think that Christ would ask us to fast, if it would hurt us physically? We have a good God, and He asks us to do nothing that will hurt or harm us. One can FAST for a long period of time, and secures GREAT SPIRITUAL RESULTS WITHOUT BODILY HARM, and in addition receive much physical benefit.

 If one is afraid that he is harming himself, and full of fear, he cannot obtain the best spiritual results from the fast. The Lord certainly does not want us to come to Him in fear, but rather in a spirit of trust. Fear is one thing that must absolutely be dismissed from the mind entirely. 

IS FASTING STARVATION?

Absolutely not!

 Fasting and starvation are two entirely different things.

 To illustrate: The complete fast begins at the time you omit one meal, and it ends after a large part of the body weight is lost, usually when true hunger returns (Matt. 4:1-4). It may last several weeks or longer. Jesus’ fast lasted forty days, before true hunger returned: “He was afterward an hungered.” In His fast, He fasted naturally, just as you or I would. When a man has a KEEN APPETITE, and is really hungry at the end of a long fast, as Jesus was, it is an indication of good health. Any physician will tell you that a man with a good appetite is in good health.

 At the end of a complete fast, hunger sets in; at this point starvation begins, if the fast is continued after true hunger returns. It was when starvation had just begun, at the end of Jesus’ fast that the devil sought to take advantage of the hunger, by tempting Him. Satan fears to see God’s children fast with prayer, because it means his quicker defeat. Fasting is like “dynamiting” Satan.

Starvation begins after most of the body weight is lost. It usually starts after true hunger returns, which is seldom less than twenty-one days, and may be as long as forty, or even sixty days. It is difficult to state the exact time when starvation sets in. It varies with different individuals. Fat people can fast much longer than thin ones, as the body can continue for weeks, living on the superfluous fat material.

The end of starvation is death. Death occurs when an individual has con­tinued a fast long after true hunger has returned, and usually long after star­vation sets in. Some confusion exists here. When you hear that someone died of starvation in a sea-wrecked vessel in two or three days, there is some mistake. A person might easily get cold, or become frightened to death, in a few hours time, or a few days time, but cannot possibly starve to death in such a short period if he has water to drink. He might also worry to death in a short time.

A human being is like a vital electric plant that is so constructed that it is ordinarily supplied with power from the dynamo, but may run for a con­siderable length of time on the battery current. For each of the millions of cells of the body is a cell similar to the most perfect cell of a storage battery. Fasting stops the dynamo, and automatically turns the switch to the battery current, which is just as capable of sustaining life as the current from the dynamo. The physically healthy individual has more storage capacity than one with a weak constitution.

A human being cannot starve to death in several weeks of fasting if he has water. He can die if he worries to an extreme, or becomes overly frightened either with food and drink, or without food and drink.

 One should not drink milk or coffee when fasting for to do so is dieting and not fasting. Nothing at all should be drunk except water. It is a purifying agent, and is necessary to wash out the poisons from the system.

 Unless one’s work is unusually heavy, it is not necessary to give up his job. If he is not getting sufficient exercise in praying or work, he should regularly take exercise to assist the fast. It is then easier to fast and very beneficial as well; the weakness leaves more readily and the fast gets underway more quickly. Exercise keeps the blood circulating. However, if we pray as we should, one will get all the action and exercise needed, because real praying is hard work, and this is what we need if we are to see great spiritual results. It is important to secure sufficient rest and sleep. If possible, take more rest when fasting, than when not fasting. More rest may be required although one does not seem to miss sleep as he would while eating. 

Fasting gives the body a much needed holiday, a vacation in which to recuperate. It never occurs to most people that the body seldom has a rest from its ordinary labors. We overtax and overload all the organs with by-products of our wrong living, eating, drinking and thinking. We do not grant these millions of little cells which labor so incessantly for our physical well-being any rest, no not even a SABBATICAL REST. Most folk would be far better off if they would pray and fast at least one day a week, They would be stronger physically, and deeper spiritually. Most of the early churches, especially the Methodists, had at least one fast day a week.

FASTING DOES NOT REDUCE, BUT INCREASES THE ENERGY AND HEAT OF THE BODY by the combustion of the waste poisons by a process of oxidation, in which waste becomes the fuel for its own destruction and elimination from the body. The process of combustion becomes a source of added bodily heat for the faster’s comfort, as well as a source of added energy, bringing about revitalization and restoration of health.

 It is very difficult to break the fast properly, but very important. The im­portance of breaking the fast correctly and wisely cannot be over-emphasized. If you wish to avoid unpleasant consequences after your fast, please use plain common sense, and pay strict attention to the following directions. Very often an individual takes a fast of several weeks, and gets along fine in the fast, but to his disappointment, has uncomfortable physical difficulties while in the process of breaking the fast. In practically all cases this can be traced directly to his impatience to begin eating his accustomed rations days and even weeks too soon.

If you have fasted very long, or have taken a complete fast, you will have practically a brand new stomach and it will have to become adjusted to food again. If you had your automobile engine overhauled, it would be necessary to break it in slowly for so many miles. If it were a major overhaul, you should run it at a lower R.P.M. much longer. The same rule applies to a new stomach.

I once had an airplane with an 80-hoursepower engine. I had it “majored” by an A. and E. mechanic. Before I could fly it, even at a low R.P.M., the motor was run, while on the ground, for about five hours. After it had been broken in sufficiently to fly, it was flown at low cruising speed for another live hour. These ten hours that were required to break in the engine, were broken down into short periods, so that the engine would be properly broken in safely. Our bodies are like the overhauled engine. The longer the fast, the more care it takes, before resuming regular diet. Our stomach must be broken in gradually, and time is required between periods for rest, and for the gradual return to normal of the assimilative functions.

 In Bible days, the Israelites, the prophets, and the disciples of Christ, were acquainted with the dietetic laws of Moses, and the teaching of the prophets and Essenes, and knew about the hygiene necessary to break a fast. But today most people are ignorant of this information. In a long fast the stomach is new, like a child’s stomach. And when you break a fast, it must be done properly, to avoid injuring the stomach. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we should be careful to protect it from injury.

After true hunger has returned (in some instances, true hunger does not return), or if one finds it necessary and advisable to break fasting before hunger has returned, he should use only fresh citrus fruits. Oranges and grapefruits are the best to break it with. Fresh tomato juice is almost equally good. Grape juice from fresh grapes is very fine. Sauerkraut juice, if agreeable, is sometimes good for the second or third meal, after the fast is broken. If the fast is seven days or less, it can be broken with whole fresh fruit for two or three meals, and light soups the second day; the third day green vegetables, and your regular diet from there on. Even after a short fast of two or three days, one should avoid sitting down at the table to eat a regular meal, if he wishes to feel comfortable afterwards. But it is not so necessary to break this type of fast as carefully as a fast that has been entered into for many days. (Canned fruits are satisfactory when fresh fruits or juices are not available.)

 If the fast has been very long, it will take several meals of fresh fruit juices, in small diluted quantities, to correct natural tendencies. Your regu­lar diet should not commence, until at least the number of days have elapsed, equal to the number of days that you have fasted. For instance, if you have fasted twenty-eight days, you should have a gradual breaking-in period of twenty-eight days before you resume a regular diet. You should start out with fruit juices for several days, then fresh fruit for two or three days more, then light soups, not too milky, for another two or three days, and then green vegetables for a further period. Gradually, little by little, break into the regular diet.

 Since much weight has been lost, the quickest way to regain it is by drink­ing milk, after several days of the above-mentioned schedule. Small amounts should be taken at first, then larger and larger portions. CAUTION: Some. times milk will cause the individual to bloat, as assimilation will be too great. If this should happen, or any other difficulty arises, it is because you are rushing the breaking-in period. The remedy is to eat less, or cut out some of the food. If necessary, go back to fruit juices or fresh fruit again. If very severe, go back to FASTING, and do not drink water. Take enemas often. This is a safe rule to follow, if any complication should develop during the breaking-in period. 

 NOTICE: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT  

 Do not rush your stomach. The longer you wait to regain your weight, and the more slowly you get back to regular eating, the better will be your physical condition afterward. If you fail to wait long enough, you will undo much that has been accomplished physically.

THE DANIEL FAST by Dr. Elmer L. Towns