Fasting and Prayer For Business Success: The spiritual Insight

Fasting and Prayer for business success bible passage: Isa.58, Matt.6

Introduction – Fasting and Prayer for Business Success

Fasting and prayer represent one of the greatest spiritual discipline for seeking God’s intervention in our lives and businesses. Combined, they form the most critical weapons of spiritual warfare and deliverance, providing a divine pathway for breakthroughs.

While fasting and prayer cannot manipulate God to fulfill our desires exactly as we wish, they however position us to align with His will. When done with sincerity and faith, fasting moves God to fulfill His intended will in any situation.

For believers in business, fasting and prayer are not optional practices – they are essential Christian disciplines that can have a profound impact on your entrepreneurial journey.

As Jesus emphasized in Matthew 6, fasting is placed on the same level of expected performance as prayer and giving to others: “And when you fast…” not “if you fast.”

Consequently, let us dive deeper into this powerful spiritual discipline and explore how fasting and prayer can transform your business and life.

What Is Fasting?

In its simplest form, fasting involves giving up something—often food—in order to receive something greater from God. It is an intentional act of sacrifice that expresses our dependence on Him.

What Fasting Is Not

To understand fasting correctly, it’s important to clarify what it is not:

• It is not a tool to win God’s audience.
  Fasting does not force God to act on our behalf. Instead, it aligns us with His will.
• It is not an exchange of sacrifice for blessings.
  God’s blessings are not earned through fasting, but fasting reveals our submission and faith in Him.
• It is not simply giving something up.
  True fasting is more than abstaining from food—it is about humbling oneself and seeking God’s guidance.

Fasting does not change God. Rather, it brings our flesh into submission to God’s will, sharpening our spiritual focus.

The Biblical Mandate for Fasting

As earlier stated, for believers in business, fasting is not optional—it is very essential. In Matthew 6, Jesus places fasting on the same level as prayer and giving, underscoring its importance by saying that:
“And when you fast…”

Furthermore, in Matthew 17:21, when the disciples asked why they could not cast out a demon, Jesus responded:
“…this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

This demonstrates that fasting and prayer unlock a level of spiritual power that cannot be attained through any other means.

Why Should Business Owners Fast?

The Bible teaches us to fast and pray because it positions us for divine breakthrough. Whether your challenges are spiritual, physical, emotional, or intellectual, fasting can unlock solutions and pave the way for success.

Key Benefits of Fasting for business success (Isaiah 58)

Isaiah 58 outlines the many benefits of fasting, including:

• Breaking the bands of wickedness
• Lifting heavy burdens
• Liberating the oppressed
• Restoration of health
• Divine protection
• Continual guidance from the Lord

In summary, fasting makes things happen. It creates an avenue for God to intervene in ways that transform lives and businesses.

Biblical Examples of Fasting and Business Breakthroughs

The Bible is indeed filled with accounts of fasting that led to significant breakthroughs, many of which are directly applicable to the challenges we face in business today.

New Testament Examples

• Anna (Luke 2:37-38): Anna fasted and prayed for years before she had the privilege of seeing baby Jesus. Her commitment demonstrates the power of persistence in fasting.
• Cornelius (Acts 10:30): Cornelius, a Roman centurion, fasted and received a vision instructing him to send for Peter. This event led to a divine encounter that changed his life.
• Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-4): The church fasted and prayed before commissioning Paul and Barnabas as apostles. Their fasting enabled them to receive clear instructions from God.

Old Testament Examples

• Jehoshaphat’s Victory (2 Chronicles 20): When faced with a vast army, all of Israel fasted and prayed. God delivered a strategy that allowed them to win the battle without fighting.
• Haman’s Downfall (Book of Esther): The Jewish people fasted and prayed when Haman plotted their destruction. Their fasting led to his downfall, and the nation was saved.
• Daniel’s Vision (Daniel 10): After a 21-day fast, Daniel received a profound vision that revealed God’s plans for the future.
• Moses and the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34): Moses fasted for 40 days on Mount Sinai, during which he received the Law from God.

Fasting and Prayer in Business

As business owners, we carry the responsibility of moving our businesses in the right direction and seeking God’s guidance. Thus, Fasting and prayer allow us to:

• Seek divine wisdom: Gain clarity and direction for major decisions.
• Break spiritual barriers: Overcome obstacles that hinder business growth.
• Align with God’s will: Ensure that your business operates in accordance with biblical principles.

The Consequences of Neglecting Fasting and Prayer

Failure to fast and pray can have devastating consequences. Ecclesiastes warns us about the dangers of neglecting spiritual disciplines. Take, for example, Esau, who forfeited his birthright for a meal.

Similarly, neglecting to seek God through fasting can result in missed opportunities and loss of divine favor.

How to Fast and Pray Effectively

To ensure that your fasting and prayer are impactful, follow these steps:

1. Set Clear Goals

Before you begin, identify the purpose of your fast. Are you seeking guidance, breakthrough, or deliverance? Write down your goals and present them to God.

2. Prepare Spiritually and Physically

• Confess any sins and ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
• Gradually reduce your food intake to prepare your body for fasting.

3. Choose the Right Type of Fast

There are several types of fasts, including:

• Full Fast: Abstaining from all food and drink (except water).
• Partial Fast: Giving up certain foods or meals.
• Daniel Fast: Consuming only fruits, vegetables, and water.

So, choose a fast that aligns with your health and spiritual goals.

4. Combine Fasting with Prayer

Fasting without prayer is merely a diet. Dedicate time to pray, read the Bible, and meditate on God’s promises during your fast.

5. Stay Persistent

That is to say breakthroughs may not happen instantly. Stay consistent in your fasting and prayer, trusting that God will answer in His perfect timing.

Fasting and Prayer For Business Success Conclusion

In conclusion, fasting and prayer are indispensable spiritual exercises for business owners who seek divine intervention and success. By humbling ourselves through fasting, we create space for God to move in our lives and businesses in powerful ways.

Whether you are seeking clarity, overcoming challenges, or desiring a deeper connection with God, fasting opens the door to spiritual breakthroughs. As you embark on this spiritual discipline, remember the words of Jesus:

“This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).

So, are you willing to sacrifice and seek God’s face for the future of your business? The time to act is now.