“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?” – Isaiah 58:6
Fasting is a powerful tool for breaking spiritual chains and experiencing deliverance. It is more than a discipline; it is a divine strategy that creates an atmosphere for God to set us free from anything that binds or oppresses us. Isaiah 58:6 reveals God’s heart for fasting—it is His chosen way to release us from the grip of sin, fear, and bondage.
On this twelfth day of fasting, let’s reflect on how this sacred practice brings freedom and deliverance, not only in our lives but also for those we intercede for.
Fasting Breaks Chains
In Isaiah 58, God declares that fasting is designed to “loose the bonds of wickedness” and “let the oppressed go free.” When we fast, we partner with God in breaking spiritual strongholds and dismantling the enemy’s schemes in our lives.
Fasting weakens the grip of the flesh and strengthens the Spirit. This shift allows us to confront areas where we may have been enslaved to sin, addiction, or fear. It also creates space for the Holy Spirit to move, bringing clarity, conviction, and the power to overcome.
Jesus highlighted the connection between fasting and deliverance in Matthew 17:21, when He told His disciples that certain types of demonic oppression can only be broken through prayer and fasting. Fasting positions us to engage in spiritual warfare with divine authority, relying on God’s strength rather than our own.
Deliverance from Fear and Anxiety
Fasting also delivers us from emotional and mental strongholds. Many of us carry fear, anxiety, or worry that weighs us down and keeps us from walking in the fullness of God’s peace. Fasting creates an opportunity to surrender these burdens and invite God to replace them with His presence and promises.
Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
As we fast, we bring our fears and anxieties to God, trusting Him to deliver us from the oppression of worry and replace it with His supernatural peace.
Interceding for Others
Fasting is not just about personal deliverance—it is also a way to intercede for others. Throughout Scripture, fasting is linked to breakthroughs for families, communities, and even nations.
In Esther 4:16, Queen Esther called for a fast before approaching the king to plead for her people’s lives. This act of corporate fasting and intercession led to God’s miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people.
When we fast, we can stand in the gap for others who are bound by sin, addiction, or oppression. Our prayers, combined with fasting, invite God’s power to intervene on their behalf.
Practical Steps for Fasting and Deliverance
- Identify Areas of Bondage: Ask God to reveal areas in your life where you may need freedom—whether it’s a habit, fear, or mindset.
- Declare God’s Promises: Speak Scriptures of deliverance and freedom over your life, such as Isaiah 58:6, John 8:36 (“If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed”), and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.
- Engage in Spiritual Warfare: Use your fasting time to pray with authority, rebuking the enemy and claiming the freedom that is yours in Christ.
- Intercede for Others: Make a list of people in your life who need deliverance, and pray specifically for them during your fast.
- Stay Persistent: Deliverance is often a process. Stay committed to fasting and prayer, trusting that God is working even when you can’t see immediate results.
Reflection Questions
- Are there areas in your life where you feel bound or oppressed? How can fasting help you surrender these to God?
- Who in your life needs deliverance? How can you intercede for them during this fast?
- How does fasting increase your dependence on God’s power rather than your own?
Fasting and prayer are divine tools for experiencing freedom and delivering others from bondage. As you continue this journey, trust that God is working to break every chain and destroy every stronghold. Let today be a day of bold faith, intercession, and trust in the One who sets the captives free.
Ron Eivaz Blog 