A Study of Spiritual Warfare - Week 3

Week 3: The Power of Prayer and Fasting in Spiritual Warfare

Welcome to Week 3 of learning about spiritual warfare!

This week, we are diving into two of the most powerful tools God has given us to break strongholds—prayer and fasting. We have already learned about the reality of spiritual warfare and how God equips us with His armor, but now we are going to focus on how prayer and fasting can help us gain victory over even the most difficult battles. These practices not only draw you closer to God but also release His power to bring breakthrough in areas that may feel impossible right now.

Key Scriptures

To start, let’s explore what God’s Word says about prayer and fasting in the context of spiritual warfare. These scriptures will help us understand how these spiritual disciplines enable us to stand firm and overcome the enemy.

Matthew 17:21 (ESV)

“But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.”

Some spiritual strongholds are so entrenched that prayer alone is not enough—fasting is also required. Are there areas in your life where you’ve prayed for breakthrough but haven’t seen change? Could fasting be the key to unlocking victory?

2.  Daniel 10:12-14 (ESV)

“Then he said to me, ‘Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me.’”

Daniel’s persistent prayer and fasting led to angelic intervention. This shows how prayer and fasting impact the spiritual realm, even when we don’t immediately see the results. Where in your life do you need persistence in prayer and fasting?

3.  Isaiah 58:6 (ESV)

“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?”

God’s purpose for fasting is not just about personal discipline but about breaking strongholds and setting people free. Are there yokes of bondage in your life or in the lives of others that need to be broken through prayer and fasting?

The Role of Prayer and Fasting in Spiritual Warfare

Now that you’ve spent time in the Word, let’s unpack what prayer and fasting look like in the context of spiritual warfare. These are not just religious practices—they are powerful spiritual weapons that God has given us to confront and overcome the enemy’s strongholds.

In The Power of Prayer and Fasting, Ronnie Floyd explains, fasting is a declaration that we are desperate for God to intervene. It’s an expression of humility and dependence on His power (Floyd). Fasting amplifies our prayers and helps us focus on God’s strength rather than our own.

Tony Evans, in Victory in Spiritual Warfare, emphasizes that fasting positions you for a deeper connection with God and greater spiritual authority in battle (Evans). It’s a way to clear distractions and focus fully on God’s power and His ability to break through difficult situations.

How Prayer and Fasting Break Strongholds

Now that you understand the importance of prayer and fasting, you might wonder how these disciplines actually break strongholds. The Bible gives us clear examples of how fasting, paired with prayer, leads to breakthroughs in spiritual battles.

E.M. Bounds, in The Necessity of Prayer, highlights that prayer, when combined with fasting, brings a deeper intensity and connection with God. It is a way of dedicating ourselves fully to His will and calling down His power in ways that wouldn’t happen otherwise (Bounds). Prayer alone is powerful, but fasting adds an extra layer of humility and dependence, inviting God to work mightily in situations where you need breakthrough.

• This week, consider taking time to fast alongside your prayer life. Even if it’s just for one meal or a short period, use that time to focus on seeking God’s power in areas where you need victory.

Practical Steps for This Week

Let’s put this understanding into practice. Here are some specific ways you can engage in prayer and fasting to see spiritual breakthroughs in your life. These steps will help you develop a deeper reliance on God and activate His power in the areas where you need it most.

1. Choose a Time to Fast

Decide on a specific time to fast this week. It could be from food for a day, from a meal, or from a distraction (like social media). During this time, commit to focused prayer, asking God to reveal and break any spiritual strongholds in your life.

2. Create a Prayer Focus for Fasting

Identify one or two areas in your life where you need a breakthrough. As you fast, dedicate time to pray specifically for these areas. Write them down in a journal and track what God reveals to you during your time of fasting.

3. Use Scripture in Your Prayers

As you pray and fast, use key scriptures to guide your prayers. For example, Isaiah 58:6 is a powerful reminder of God’s desire to break every yoke. Speak these promises over your life and declare victory over the areas where you’re seeking breakthrough.

Sample Prayer

Prayer becomes even more powerful when combined with fasting. Here’s a sample prayer you can use during your time of prayer and fasting this week:

“Father, as I come to You in prayer and fasting, I humble myself before You, recognizing that I need Your power to break the strongholds in my life. I ask You to bring victory in the areas where I’ve struggled, and I trust in Your strength to overcome every obstacle. As I fast, draw me closer to You and help me focus fully on Your presence. Break every yoke and release me from anything that is holding me back. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Testimony: Daniel’s Prayer and Fasting

One of the most powerful examples of how prayer and fasting can impact the spiritual realm is found in the story of Daniel. In Daniel 10, we learn that Daniel had been praying and fasting for 21 days, seeking understanding and revelation from God. During this time, Daniel didn’t see immediate answers, but in the spiritual realm, a battle was raging.

An angel was dispatched to deliver God’s message to Daniel, but for 21 days, this angel was resisted by a demonic force, described as the “prince of the kingdom of Persia.” Only after the archangel Michael came to help was the angel able to reach Daniel and deliver the message.

This story reveals two important truths:

1. Your prayers are heard immediately, even if you don’t see immediate results.

2. Persistent prayer and fasting can lead to spiritual breakthroughs that wouldn’t happen otherwise.

Like Daniel, you may feel like your prayers are being delayed, but in the spiritual realm, battles are being fought. Prayer and fasting bring divine intervention, even when you can’t see it yet. Are there areas in your life where you need this kind of persistence?

Personalized Reflection & Journaling Prompts

As you reflect on the power of prayer and fasting, take time to consider these prompts. Writing down your thoughts will help you process what God is revealing to you and give you a tangible way to track your spiritual growth.

1. Where do I need breakthrough?

Identify areas in your life where you’ve been praying but haven’t seen the results you hoped for. Could fasting help unlock the breakthrough? Write down specific areas and commit to fasting and praying over them this week.

2. What strongholds need to be broken?

Reflect on whether there are strongholds in your life—habits, sins, fears, or relationships—that are hindering your spiritual growth. Write these down and ask God to help you break free through prayer and fasting.

3. How can I focus my prayers during fasting?

As you fast, what specific Scriptures or promises of God can you meditate on? Write down verses that apply to your situation and use them in your prayers. For example, you might pray through Isaiah 58:6, asking God to break every yoke in your life.

Additional Insights

Prayer and fasting are powerful tools in spiritual warfare, but they’re also acts of humility and surrender. Ronnie Floyd explains that fasting isn’t about twisting God’s arm to get what you want; it’s about aligning yourself with His will and inviting Him to move (Floyd). As you fast, focus on seeking God’s will rather than simply asking for results.

Remember, spiritual battles aren’t won overnight. Sometimes, like Daniel, you need persistence and patience. God hears your prayers the moment you pray them, but the answer may come through spiritual resistance. Continue to trust in His timing and His power to bring victory.

Final Thought

This week, let prayer and fasting be your weapons of choice in the battle against spiritual strongholds. God has given you these powerful tools to seek His intervention and break through areas where you’ve felt stuck. As Tony Evans says, fasting isn’t about what you give up; it’s about what you gain—more of God’s presence and power in your life (Evans). Trust that God is working behind the scenes, even when you can’t see it.

Bonus Reading

• The Power of Prayer and Fasting by Ronnie Floyd

• Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans

• The Necessity of Prayer by E.M. Bounds

Want to Go Deeper?

Here are some additional steps you can take to go deeper with prayer and fasting this week. These will help you engage more fully with God’s power and gain greater victory over spiritual strongholds.

1. Set a Time for Fasting

Choose a specific day or meal this week to fast. Use the time you would normally spend eating or on distractions to pray and seek God. Focus on one or two key areas where you need breakthrough, and ask God to move in those areas.

2. Create a Prayer Journal for Fasting

As you fast, keep a journal of what God is showing you. Write down any Scriptures, thoughts, or insights that come to mind during your prayer time. This will help you track your spiritual journey and see how God is answering your prayers over time.

3. Pray Through Strongholds

Identify specific strongholds—whether they’re personal struggles, sins, or spiritual attacks. Use 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 to pray against these strongholds, asking God to bring freedom and victory. Be persistent in your prayers, just as Daniel was.

4. Fasting with a Partner

Consider fasting with a friend or small group. Fasting in community can provide encouragement and accountability, helping you stay focused on prayer and spiritual growth. Share your experiences with each other and pray for one another’s breakthroughs.

5. Worship During Your Fast

Add worship to your fasting time. Play worship music and spend time praising God for who He is and what He’s doing in your life. Worship shifts your focus from your struggles to God’s greatness and invites His presence into your battles.

What breakthroughs are you seeking this week through prayer and fasting? How can I support you as you press into God’s power for spiritual victory? Let me know how I can pray for you! Remain committed to the will of God in your life and stay with us in our journey to learn about spiritual warfare.