The Purpose And Benefits Of The Forty Day Fast
Isaiah 58:5-9

1. Deep Repentance. This is the first thing that must happen in fasting in order for other benefits to accrue to one. Isaiah 58:5

2. Access To Uncommon Revelation. It is a covenant platform for accessing dangerous revelation for uncommon success in life. Moses fasted for forty days within which he received the Ten Commandments which forms the basis for law guiding relationship with God and our fellow human beings. Exodus 24:18; Exodus 34:28. Discernment is one of the key things you need in order to make progress and succeed in life. It is a requirement for survival and triumph. There are 3 things you must be able to discern: the times (1Ch 12:32 “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” It takes understanding of the times to be in command), divine strategy or solution or direction and people. People will bring you down if don’t know them. You must be able to see through people so that you will not be deceived. You get discernment by asking. The reason most people find it difficult to receive divine guidance is because they are so biased that they will not accept anything that does not agree with what they already have in mind. It has happened to me. It is imperative therefore that you leave your mind open. If you have already made up your mind, you will not hear or discern divine direction.

Also, the spies that were sent to spy the land of Canaan returned after forty days and they made discoveries of the land they were going to possess. At the end of this fast, you will make discoveries of what is programmed for your future. But if you keep on insisting on the plan you’ve already made, you may not be able to access any new thing the Lord is trying to give to you.

3. Speedy Answer To Prayer. Isa 58:9. It is expected that as one embarks on this type of fasting that one grows in reliance on God and release faith for prayers to be answered. Without releasing faith, this kind of fast will not produce desired results. Principally there are 5 reasons prayers may not be answered: (a) sin in the heart, (b) unbelief and unbelief emanates from ignorance (c) asking for something that is not in line with God’s will, (d) demonic delay and (e) failure to recognise and carry out divine instruction. Like we said yesterday, listen for discernment while praying; God will want to say something to you. Whatever he says to you, do it! Take advantage of this to access your answers cheaply and change your results. Anything in your life that has been preventing you from getting your prayers answered will give way, in Jesus name!

4. Uncommon Victory. It breaks down barriers that impede progress. It cripples the enemy and brings about undeniable results. It launches one into unimaginable breakthrough through the release of divine wisdom and strategy. Enemies of God are judged and a new era is ushered in. The flood that destroyed the world in the time of Noah lasted for forty days. Whatever has been troubling you will be forcefully destroyed during this period, in Jesus name!
Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days before he was taken down. 1Samuel 17:16, “And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.” At the end of this fast, every Goliath troubling your life shall be destroyed in Jesus name!

5. Deliverance From Every Form Of Oppression. Isaiah 58:7

6. Destiny Release And Actualization. This is a fast that unlocks destiny and deals with fundamental problems and weaknesses. Jesus fasted for 40 days just before beginning his earthly ministry (Matthew 4:2). We are not told he repeated this and there is no record of any other fast. His disciples were accused of not fasting and the Lord said they will need to fast after he was gone to heaven. It is obvious that this fast is necessary for launching one into the fulfilment of destiny in a glorious way. 40 days of this spiritual exercise lead to forty years of rest.

7. Release Of Power For Exploits In Ministry.

8. Endurance And Renewal Of Hope. It empowers one to continue the race especially in the face of daunting challenges. Elijah fasted for 40 days at a time when he battled with discouragement and threat from Jezebel for destroying the prophets of Baal 1Kings 19:8. At the end, he received divine direction as to the next step. It is the cure for discouragement. At the end of this fast, discouragement will disappear and fresh hope will be birthed in you.

9. Divine Healing. Isaiah 58:8

By the end of these forty days, you will experience breakthrough in your health and finances in Jesus name!