A Time of Breakthroughs -- The Importance of Fasting

A Time of Breakthroughs -- The Importance of Fasting by Jennifer Morrin.

                FASTING, an interesting topic that we don’t hear often enough about. A discipline you hear very few Christians speak of or have testimony about. But why is this so? It’s a tool the Lord has given us to use in our walks with Him.

                I think I’ve heard 3-4 sermons in my 11 years of going to church regarding fasting.  But why is this so? It’s an amazing spiritual discipline that unlocks the doors that allows heaven to invade our lives.

                As a disciple of Christ and a student of the Word, I’ve read all the scriptures on the topic. I experimented with it in the past, many years ago. However, after getting married and starting my small family, fasting was put on the shelf for a few years.

                What’s interesting is that a few years of NOT fasting brought me to a place in my life I thought I would never be. Relationships filled with contention and division, a constantly sick child, and an optimistic joyful attitude turning pessimistic and grumpy within myself. I came to a place for desperation for a change.

                As I asked God what to do to see the change I needed, I had random people begin to share about what a Daniel Fast had done in their lives. And since I had inadequate information on the fullness of the power of fasting, I set out on my own pursuit to educate myself. Where I had questions after reading my Bible, I ordered books to fill in the gaps for me.

                In the last 6 months I’ve read Fasting by Jentzen Franklin, Daniel Fast For Spiritual Breakthroughs & Fasting For Spiritual Breakthroughs, both by Elmer Towns, and now, for an upcoming class I am reading Prayer and Fasting by Mahesh Chavda.

                The key is to go out and get more information if you don’t have enough, right? And then what? TRY IT!

                Since reading these books and using prayer and fasting in a variety of ways, a relationship that was breaking is healing, a chronically sick child is on the road to health with a brighter light at the end of the tunnel, and my attitude and mindset has done a 180.

                During my fasts this year, I had other breakthroughs. Actually, people whom I had been praying for over specific things in the year prior to my fasts had breakthroughs in the areas I had prayed over. I stood in awe in some of the first days of my first Daniel Fasts, as friends were pouring out their hearts over what had just happened that week.

                Where does this power from fasting come from? One keyword that God has given me is FAITH. Our fasting is an assertive action of faith. Biblical fasting calls us to give up food. When we do this act of obedience, our faith is ignited with fuel of great expectation. I believe that’s what puts us in a place to receive spectacular, impossible answers and solutions.

                This is a topic that I am continually researching and practicing. I have had over 10 prayers answered this year. They were big ones too! And the year is only half over! So the more I learn, the more I will practice, and the more I will fulfill what Jesus called us to do. In Matthew 6:1-18, Jesus says, “When you give…When you pray…When you fast”. Jentzen Franklin points to this scripture in his book. And it makes sense on why. The Word says WHEN YOU….not ‘if you will’. Is it safe to say that we are called to fast as believers? Is fasting intended to be a discipline of all Christians? If Jesus said it, then why are we not doing it?

                If you don’t know enough about the subject to set forth on your own fasting mission, then get some books on the topic and read and experiment. God will answer all your questions as you pursue following the example of Christ!

            Jennifer Morin completed her Bachelor’s Degree of Liberal Studies at CSUB and is now pursuing her Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling and Leadership at Summit Bible College. She has worked in the real estate industry here locally, was on staff at a local church (before having children) and now she operates her Beachbody coaching business from home.  

            She considers herself as more of a health & fitness enthusiast who loves helping people by holding them accountable and coaching them through their journey to reach their weight loss goals. It is her passion to help people live longer and more healthful lives so that they can fulfill the job God has for them here on earth.

            Her days start with quiet time with the Lord, a powerful workout, and then the management of her & her husband, David’s home & household needs. One of her biggest priorities is making time for her kids to have play dates, fit in a movie, or throw pennies in the fountain at the Marketplace.  God, David, and her boys are at the top of her list of priorities.

            With the resources that Beachbody provides and the education she receives from Summit, her hopes are to establish a local ministry of counseling and coaching to help people be set free from the bondages of addiction to food and other things, and offer support & accountability groups. She is a firm believer in the power of prayer and believes that Jesus Christ can heal us and make us whole again.