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2010 by Elmer L. Towns Published by Bethany House Publishers 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438 www.bethanyhouse.com Bethany House Publishers is a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan Bethany House edition published 2015 ISBN 978-0-7642-1596-4 Previously published by Regal Books Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means for example, electronic, photocopy, recording without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews. Library of Congress Control Number: 2014955386 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations labeled CEV are from the Contemporary English Version 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. Scripture quotations labeled CJB are from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. www.messianicjewish.net/jntp. Distributed by Messianic Jewish Resources. www. messianicjewish.net. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Scripture quotations labeled CSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Scripture quotations labeled ELT represent the author s paraphrase of Scripture. Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible. Scripture quotations labeled THE MESSAGE are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations labeled NET are from the NET BIBLE, copyright 2003 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations labeled Phillips are from The New Testament in Modern English, revised edition J. B. Phillips, translator. J. B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. Scripture quotations labeled TEV are from the Good News Translation Second Edition. Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. Scripture quotations labeled TLB are from The Living Bible, copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Note: The fasts suggested in this book are not for everyone. Consult your physician before beginning. Expectant mothers, diabetics, and others with a history of medical problems can enter the spirit of fasting while remaining on essential diets. While fasting is healthful to many, the nature of God would not command a physical exercise that would harm people physically or emotionally. 15 16 Bethany 17 18 House, 19 a 20 division of Baker 7 6 Publishing 5 4 3 Group, 2 1 2010. Used by permission.
b F o r e w o r d c mail. I was praying and hoping for at least Gideon s 300 to respond positively and to join me at the planned December event. More than 600 came! They represented a significant part of the Christian leadership of America from many different denominations, churches and ministries. It was three wonderful days of fasting, prayer, confession and unity. Many of the leaders gave testimony that it was one of the greatest spiritual experiences of their lives. I believe the incredible timing was no accident, because the very next month, January 1995, there were reports of major revival breaking out on campuses and in churches throughout the nation for which we had prayed. Of course, many others have prayed for revival for a long time, and our prayers only added to theirs; however, I am convinced that our December 1994 fasting and prayer event pleased God and helped move His hand to accomplish His purposes. I strongly believe that America and much of the world will experience a great spiritual awakening. This divine visit of the Holy Spirit of heaven will kindle the greatest spiritual harvest in the history of the Church. But before God comes in revival power, the Holy Spirit will call millions of Christians to repent, fast and pray in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14. I have been impressed to pray that God will call at least 2 million Christians to fast and pray for 40 days for the coming great revival. This timely, needed and excellent book, Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, by my dear friend Dr. Elmer L. Towns, is no doubt inspired by the Holy Spirit to instruct the Body of Christ. His insights will give us greater understanding of the discipline of fasting, and inspire us to use this biblical principle to humble ourselves and to seek God s face. I strongly commend Dr. Towns for being obedient to our Lord and for his labors in putting together this valuable biblical information on the absolute importance of fasting with prayer. DR. WILLIAM R. BRIGHT Founder and President Campus Crusade for Christ International 8
b 3 c A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S T H E M A T E R I A L I N T H I S B O O K W A S T A U G H T I N T H E P A S T O R S B I B L E C L A S S at Thomas Road Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Virginia, during the summer of 1995. Thank you, class, for listening to my lessons and sharing with me the things you have learned about fasting. I wrote each chapter as I taught a lesson. For the most part, it was not the older Christians but the younger people who talked to me about this series and tried the things I taught. I have learned much about fasting by looking at it through the eyes of my students. I am indebted to my pastor, the late Jerry Falwell, for the insights he gave me about fasting, especially from his book Fasting: What the Bible Teaches (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1981); to Mrs. Shelly Seager, who typed the manuscript; and to Dr. Douglas Porter, who did the library research for the glossary and appendices. Rex Russell, M.D., made a great medical contribution to this book. Except for those who are physically unable, I require every student who takes my course EVAN 610/910, Spiritual Factors of Church Growth to fast. Students must discipline themselves to fast one day, keep a prayer list, attempt a faith-event and keep a spiritual journal. As I ve read their papers, these students have taught me much about how to fast and what to avoid during a fast. Every manuscript is the product of many experiences. I have listened