Fasting Tablets - (Part 1) 

by Pastor Vincent Imwensi

As a church and ministry, we believe in prayer and fasting and from time to time as the need arises, we do have seasons of prayer and fasting. Also, every year, the whole month of June is set aside for prayer and fasting.

Last Sunday, I reminded our congregation that the month of June is around the corner and that we are going to have another exciting time of waiting on the Lord by prayer and fasting.  I told them that even though our primary aim for fasting is spiritual, there are many associated health benefits that we reap.

Then I said, “there are many men of God that I know who look physically fit and younger than their real age, what do you think is their secret?”
And immediately, someone blurted out from the congregation: “fasting tablets!” I chuckled but indeed how true!

Yes, fasting is a "spiritual tablet" that not only leads to spiritual healing and breakthrough but indeed brings cures to many of our bodily ills.

Here are some real health benefits associated with fasting:

It provides our digestive system with a much needed rest:
Every time we eat, our digestive system is cumbered with the task of breaking down the food and digesting it. Overeating, eating junk foods or eating at the wrong time, all increase the workload on our digestive systems. Fasting therefore is like a holiday for our digestive system allowing it a breath of fresh air and time to recuperate.

It helps detoxification
There is a purging that takes place within our bodily system during fasting as harmful toxins are broken down and flushed out of our system. This is called detoxification. Through this process, dead or diseased tissues are gotten rid of and our internal organs are rejuvenated allowing them to work more efficiently. 

It brings about bodily healing:
Some doctors also claim that fasting does indeed facilitate the healing of our bodies and the explanation is that during a fast, energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards our metabolism and immune system.

According to them, the healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Since abnormal growths within the body (e.g, tumours and the like), do not have the full support of the body's supplies during a fast, they are more susceptible to self destruction (via autolysis).  

Furthermore, "production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently during a fast resulting in healthier cells, tissues and organs.

It helps you to lose weight.
Losing weight or keeping it under control is another health benefit of fasting. The reason is pretty obvious – the less you eat, the less you stand the chance of putting on weight.

Personally, I have found this to be a real benefit in my own life. Before I’ve had time to accumulate so much weight, a season of prayer and fasting has come to wipe it out. Who says being a pastor has not got its own benefits?!

And what value can be placed on that wonderful feeling of bodily lightness and agility (made possible by regular seasons of prayer and fasting)?

It’s not Just Fasting
Let me make it clear that ours is not just fasting – it is prayer and fasting. The purpose of our fasting is basically for spiritual benefits – these other benefits are simply bonuses.

If the bonuses are this good, what do you think of the real spiritual benefits of prayer and fasting? That will be the focus of the second part of this article, coming your way soon on Fresh Manna.

Why not join us for the fast?  
Do you need a breakthrough in your own life or on behalf of a loved one? Are you faced with an intimidating or impossible looking and difficult situations? Do you desire to break free from your limitations and move on to a new and higher level in your life?  
If yes, then we invite you to get ready to join us in this forthcoming prayer and fasting in the month of June. You will be glad you did.
You can be anywhere in the world or belong to any church or ministry – it doesn’t matter.
Of course you can fast on your own and whenever you choose but there is something about teaming up with fellow believers in an exercise like this that takes it to another level.

If you are interested in joining us, then let us know and we will send you the details of the prayer and fasting and the special strategies that we will be adopting in this fast.