Fasting is a vital spiritual discipline that plays a crucial role in deliverance prayer, and several scriptures highlight its importance:

1. Enhanced Spiritual Authority:

• Scripture: “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21, NKJV).

• Explanation: Jesus’ disciples struggled to cast out a particular demon, and Jesus explained that certain types of demonic oppression can only be overcome through prayer and fasting. This underscores the importance of fasting in increasing spiritual authority during deliverance.

2. Humility and Repentance:

• Scripture: “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13, ESV).

• Explanation: Fasting is a way of humbling oneself before God, signifying repentance and a deep desire to return to Him. In deliverance, repentance is essential to breaking the hold of sin and demonic influence.

3. Breaking Strongholds:

• Scripture: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6, ESV).

• Explanation: Isaiah speaks of fasting as a means of breaking spiritual strongholds and releasing those who are oppressed. This directly applies to deliverance, where the goal is to free individuals from demonic bondage.

4. Spiritual Sensitivity and Guidance:

• Scripture: “Then, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:3, ESV).

• Explanation: In the early church, fasting was practiced to seek God’s direction and guidance. In deliverance, fasting helps believers become more spiritually attuned to God’s voice, aiding in discernment and effective prayer.

5. Strengthening Faith:

• Scripture: “So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” (Ezra 8:23, ESV).