It is written by THE SPIRIT in Joel chapter 2:
12 “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
The people’s response:
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;
16 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.
17 Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ”
Fasting is intended to focus solely on the spiritual and at the same time, eliminate the focus on the physical. As we take control of the body’s appetites, we are able to increase our sensitivity in hearing and communing with Our Heavenly Father. HE becomes our total priority as our body becomes under complete subjection.
In the above corporate fast, not one person was omitted from the fast. Even the nursing mothers were to be included. This fast was critical to the survival of the nation and it required all the inhabitants to participate. They had been under judgment and needed deliverance by seeking FATHER in the most solemn and reverent manner.
18 Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, And pity His people.
19 The LORD will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.
We often want to focus only on verses 28 & 29:
28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
FATHER responded to the fast of the solemn assembly by pouring out HIS SPIRIT on all flesh. These Sons and Daughters have brought their flesh under full subjection which allows THE SPIRIT to flow through them unhindered by the selfish motives of the flesh. Everyone wants the results of such a fast but few are really interested in paying the price to subject their body to full submission. Jesus did not hesitate in preparing Himself for His 3 1/2 year ministry by first submitting to a 40 day fast. This maximum fast produced maximum results.
As it is written by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 10, Peter was summoned to Cornelius in Caesarea as a result of Cornelius fasting:
30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’
33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
Consider the power of fasting, for it made a huge difference in Cornelius’ life. FATHER responded to his prayers and sent Peter as a result. Cornelius tapped into the supernatural and an angel was dispatched to him with FATHER’S response. It is up to each of us to determine our own individual need to fast. If done with the proper intent, it will produce supernatural results.