The Reward of Fasting
Dear Friends,
Did you know there is a reward for fasting?
Jesus, after warning against fasting to be seen by men, speaks about the reward of fasting: "When you fast [to be seen by your Father, not men]...your Father, who sees in secret will reward you openly."
Fasting, rightly practiced, is a form of humility, and humility always attracts God's grace: "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." A number of years ago, the Lord drove this truth home to me. About four days into 10 Days that year, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart this simple phrase: "There is a reward for fasting." That evening, during worship, a young man I was mentoring needed prayer for healing of a stomach issue. I felt strongly prompted to pray for him, even though I was in the back of the room and he was up front. As I prayed for him, along with another man, the Holy Spirit rushed on the three of us. The young man we were praying for was soon flat on the floor, laughing, crying, and totally overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. After the service, he was staggering around as if drunk, still under the weighty influence of God. Of course, we all thought his stomach issue was healed--as we found out later, much to our confusion, he was not healed. However, he was powerfully baptized and encountered by the Holy Spirit. I laughed at how the Lord had reminded me before that evening, "there is a reward for fasting." You may not feel like a very good person, or even that you are someone God would listen to. Remarkably, fasting (humbling ourselves), works even for extremely wicked people. King Ahab was the worst king in the Old Testament. He was extremely wicked, idolatrous, a murderer, and totally corrupt. And yet, when he fasted, God responded:
1 Kings 21:28-29 "Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me [with fasting]? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”
10 Days is an annual opportunity not only to pray and worship, but also to seek God's face and favor with fasting. That does not mean you need to fast all 10 Days in a row, although of course, that would be amazing. Consider the following kinds of fasts:
A Daniel fast or "vegan" diet for 10 Days (Daniel 1)
Fasting from food for one or more of the 10 Days.
Eating only one meal a day during 10 Days.
A Liquid or juice fast for all or part of the 10 Days.
Fasting from food for the entire 10 Days.
I encourage you to consider one of these fasts from food, not because it is enjoyable (it's not), or because you'll lose weight (you will, but it will come right back), or because it will prove how spiritual you really are (it won't). I encourage you to fast, September 11-21, for one simple reason.
Your Father in Heaven will reward you.
You and I don't know yet what that reward will be--but isn't that thrilling?! If we fast rightly, we can guarantee a reward from God Himself! God always gives grace to the humble, and fasting is one of the best tools God has given us to humble ourselves.
Maranatha, Jonathan Friz
New Book:
10 Days Coordinator’s Guide Now Available
The NEW BOOK by Jonathan Friz is now available: Based on over twenty years of experience in mobilizing city-wide prayer, This Coordinator's Guide is a "how to" manual for bringing the power of extraordinary prayer to your city. Get a copy today!
Let us know if you’re participating in 10 Days. Register Here.
Check out the Locations Currently Registered Here.
Prayer Guide Now Available in Multiple Languages
We are happy to announce that our 2026 Prayer Guide is now available for download. Languages available: Español, Portuguese, मराठी, हिंदी, മലയാളം, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ.
Translations are coming soon. If you’d like a specific language, please email 10DaysCommunications@gmail.com.