Why Fasting Is Such a Powerful Form of Prayer (w/ Kim Zember)

Jackie Francois Angel and Kim Zember discuss why fasting, when combined with prayer, is a powerful way to draw closer to God.

Fasting is not dieting, though. If we make it about dieting we may focus too much on ourselves which would then defeat the point of fasting—to grow in humility and holiness. So fasting should always be accompanied by prayer.

Fasting is a form of penance, but it’s not just for Lent. While prayer makes right your relationship with God and almsgiving makes right your relationship with others, fasting makes right your relationship with yourself; and making things right with yourself can and should be done whenever possible.

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6-16-18).

Fasting also helps us with lust, drunkenness, and other temptations of the flesh because it strengthens our virtue of temperance. It teaches us to quiet our base desires that cause us to do the very thing we hate (Romans 7:15).

So why not try fasting outside of Lent? Or, if you have, why not do it again? Instead of having your favorite meal, consume the Word of God. It’s amazing how much fasting can make things right for yourself and others.

‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4).

You can fast for anything, not just yourself. If you have a friend struggling with a sin, fast for them. Fast for your country, the Church, the world. The power of fasting can do unbelievable things if we take it seriously.

MORE FROM ASCENSION

SOCIAL MEDIA

[danielkinsman]

I did fasted to God for my daughter's doing drugs and he answered me.

[thinkandthankeveryday]

I’m watching this when i’m on my 3 days of fasting. No food only pure water. if your desire is intent you won’t feel the hunger i’m still on the process of moving out carrying heavy stuffs and i believe the holy spirit is maintaining my energy not to pass out.

[susyez]

I decided to start a novena last week for a job. Alongside my novena, I’ve been fasting. I had a interview yesterday morning and was informed I got the job last night!!! God is good all the time. Fasting has always kept me grounded but denying my flesh AND praying has brought me so much peace this past week...and God answered my prayers!

[melaniegriesemer]

“When we fast, we’re not moving the heart of God. We’re moving our heart towards God” love this!! How many times have I heard our Protestant brothers and sisters say we as Catholics think we have to do all of these things so God can love us more or to earn Gods love when that is not the case!

[thehope-pt]

I find that fasting helps us to control impassiveness. The reason I do it is because I sacrifice a meal and say prayers instead; I swap out a meal for time with God.

[cipriannemeth]

When I was 14-16, I was overweighted (I overate a lot) and had a lot of problems with my chastity (masturbation) and had no (self-)confidence in my relationship with anyone. I was christian I attended to the mass each week, but I wasn't in harmony with God, with the Church and with the People. Furthermore I had rude debates with my parents who are not believer...

When the Lent arrived I had decided to fast - 3 meals a day, meat only the Sundays during the 46 days and no masturbation. I haven't done for loosing weight, neither for chaising my demons away, my only motivation was fating for fasting as a "good catholic", a superhuman while I give all my human strenght in my misery to God.

It's a Grace, that He gave me the physical and psychical healing by the fasting: as a consequence I changed to a healthier eating habit and lifestyle even after Easter, I started loosing weight, and I avanced a lot in my combat for my chastity.
But I needed to wait for the second Lent to fulfill this healing, and that's the point when God asked my conversion.
I was healed (or in a way of healing) in my body, but I hadn't loved till this moment. I was a proud catholic, but I had no idea how to love my neighbour - started with my parents. When we had a debate they often asked me the excruciating question: "What kind of christian are you?"
I understood that being a "good catholic" is not only following the "rules" of the Church, like attending to the mass or fasting, but remaining in the love of the Son. (John 15 : 9-10)

I admit that God healed me through fasting, but just cause of his Grace.
He really prepared me to the way of love by the self-giving.

And I arrived at WYD Panama2019 for my second conversion, 4-5 years after, by Mother Mary who let me enter in the mistery of the true self-giving (and indeed to the mistery of the Trinity), started by her YES (Luke 1 : 38).
A lot of coincidence, that showed me how She was always present to me as a Mother, who gave me birth, a new life in the Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit.

Two important event in the last year:
1) I read the book of Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort - The True Devotion to Mary, which showed me how necessary is to offer all our belongings and value to Mary (like John Paul 2 - Totus Tuus), that I recommend to You, who read my testimony!
2) I visited to Medjugorje last summer, where I've found a well-lived catholic faith, and I witnessed a huge conversion in my group of prayer, started by my sister.

When I realized that Our Lady in Medj asks us to fast (bread&water) each Wednesday and Friday (as it was recommended by Church and she had done as well according to the Didache), I started to eat moderatd those days, but nothing special, till I was proposed the bread and water fasting by a friend. I accepted it, just because I love my Mother, and it has been really one of the best school of
obedience that accords me to grow as the child of God. (You know, the school of Mary in the Upper room before Pentecost ;) Acts 1;14)
I witness each week the power of fasting, I give my testimony of all the demons chased and all the healings God gave me through the fasting, but I need to tell that the hugest gift is the Love I can share with Mother Mary, as she feeds me by all the teachings of God the Father, by His Son in the Holy Spirit!
Don't be afraid to offer these days (or meals) of fasting by the Virgin Mary to God, this is really a way to the Holy Spirit to enter our lives! And don't forget, if you need somebody to fast with, the Church fasts with you all Wednesday and Friday.
As it was said by Jackie and Kim, you shall start in little, but after don't be afraid, ask God to obtain the grace, to offer more and more, and ask Him the grace to become saints!

Your little Hungarian brother in Jesus,
Ciprián
JMJ

[RC]

I started a fast today. I have been praying for a breakthrough. I have many issues going on in my life and concerning my family etc. I need to make life-changing decisions. So, I decided I needed to add fasting to my prayer life.

[danielkinsman]

Doing the fast is one thing. Doing the fast and offering it to Jesus for something is quite another

[TheOne-umrp]

I want to fast to keep evil away from me. I find myself constantly surrounded by it. But I'm not going to lie: it's hard to fast when everyone in your family is chef Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver. But I'll pray for God to give me strength.

[BlueThunderboltsiren]

I decided to move in faith by learning more about fasting and prayer, and soon do it properly.

[GinnyandEric]

A book that really opened my eyes and my heart to this topic: Fasting by Jentezen Franklin

[sahsahlopena]

It's my first day of fasting and I am doing this for the conversion of my husband and his family to the Catholic Church. I trust the Lord and I'll be patiently waiting for his answer. :)

[Richie]

It's a way to grow in times of struggle & trials, ensuring sacredness of Lord's love & sanctity of self.

[libbymalc]

Hey ladies, I am protestant, but it fills my heart with joy to hear the perspectives of some Spirit filled Catholic sisters! You are both 100% on par. I live in Paris and my son goes to a Catholic school and your video makes me feel good about that. I started fasting in 2020 and it's amazing. The 3 day water fasts have been absolutely revolutionary. I get closer to God and I get breakthrough. My mom was a strong Christian, but she did not know about fasting. I have learned about it from a Christian sister and am so glad. She did a 7 day fast for an issue praying for me and it is such an honor.
I am currently doing a fast to ward off writers' block and to shed a spirit of failure.
In a few weeks, I would like to fast to ask God to help me to stop gossiping.
Thank you beautiful ladies and keep speaking the truth!

[maranathawatch]

Also fasting to get our prayers answered!!🙏

[angelgabriel]

This answered all the questions I had for fasting I believe the father wanted me to watch this video glory to god thank you Jesus.

[anitapoly]

Praise God! Thank you. God bless
"Draw our hearts to God" -Amen

[zaidagrace]

Out of all the fasting and prayer videos on YT, this by far is the most grounded, balanced, and informative. Thank you for posting.

[lolitarazo]

I am discovering the benefits of fasting not only with food that compulse me for all the thoughts and feelings that make me sin or make me act with another thing but love... it is hard but it is so effective because God listen my prayer and helps me to overcome the wrong, the bad, the sin and begin to be free.... THANK YOU FOR SHARING JACKIE AND KIM!!!

[extraecclesiamnullasalus]

Best explanation of fasting I've ever heard and I've listened to a lot!