By: Randall Araujo | Series: Breakthrough
Last year, my husband and I went to the rodeo for the first time. We had quite the experience! From wrestling calves to jumping on horses, I had NO IDEA what took place at the rodeo.
While we were there, I watched the kids participate in "mutton busting." If you’ve never seen it, it’s basically little kids trying to stay on the back of a sheep for as long as they can. Some of them were barely holding on. Some of them fell off almost immediately. But I noticed something powerful: not one kid was allowed to stay down. Either they stood up on their own, or an adult immediately came over and picked them up. They all got back up.
Maybe you feel like one of those kids today. Maybe you are barely holding on to your situation, or maybe you feel like you’ve already fallen off. I want to tell you: today is not the day to give up. Imagine what you will miss out on, or what you will never see, if you walk away simply because you gave up too soon.
If you are looking for a move of God, you need to understand this main point: Fasting accelerates breakthrough.
Table of Contents
The Necessity of Desperation in Fasting
In Esther 4, we find Queen Esther in a dire situation. Her life was in jeopardy, her family was in danger, and her entire nation was facing annihilation. She had no other options. She was truly desperate.
I have learned that desperation is sometimes necessary to get us closer to God. When you have nowhere else to turn, you rely more heavily on Him. Think about the difference between miracles we see in America versus those in places like Africa. I once heard a missionary say that in certain parts of Africa, they don’t have 9-1-1 to call. When God is all you have, you become far more desperate for Him to move.
Where are you desperate today?
Where are you crying out to God because you are unable to do what needs to be done on your own? Desperation leads to extreme measures. Breakthrough begins with prayer, is fueled by the Word of God, and is sustained by worship. But when Esther needed a breakthrough right away, her desperation led her to fast.
Why Fasting?
Biblical fasting is giving up something in the physical realm to gain something in the spiritual realm. It is always associated with an encounter with God. Let’s be clear: a fast without a God-encounter is simply a diet. If you give up food but don’t turn to God, there is no spiritual gain.
Biblical fasting is giving up something in the physical realm to gain something in the spiritual realm.
Pastor Randall Araujo
We see this throughout Scripture:
- Jesus fasted for 40 days before His ministry began.
- Nehemiah led a corporate fast for his community.
- David fasted when he felt far from God.
- Daniel fasted to hear from God.
- Paul and Barnabas fasted when they needed to make a major decision.
Whether it is a complete fast (water only), a selective fast (like the Daniel fast), or even a distraction fast (removing social media or TV), the goal is the same: to remove something that causes a little discomfort so you can focus on God.
Fasting recalibrates the heart. Our "default setting" as humans is often selfish and self-serving. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us the heart is deceitful and sick. Fasting helps us "die to self." It rips out the distractions and helps us align our hearts with the heart of God. It is a tool—alongside prayer and worship—that God has given us to fight the battles we are in.
The Miracle in the Making
Esther called all her people to fast with her for three days. After that, she promised to go before the king—an act that was technically illegal and punishable by death.
God’s plan is not always easy or safe. As Beth Grant once said, "God has never called us to stay safe; He’s called us to stay ready." When Esther finally entered the inner court in chapter 5, she received a miracle. The king held out his scepter. She received favor, the Jewish people were saved, and their mourning turned into a celebration.
Breakthrough is just a synonym for a miracle. And I believe God is still in the business of doing miracles. I’ve seen it in my own life—from my father being healed of cancer, to people breaking free from addiction, to the very building where The Heart LA meets today. God cares for His people, and He cares for you.
Where do you need a miracle in your life today?
Time for a Breakthrough
In Mark 9, when the disciples couldn't cast out a demon, Jesus told them, "This kind comes out only through prayer and fasting." There are some kinds of breakthroughs that will only come through the collective prayer and fasting of the people of God.
I am calling The Heart LA to a 7-day corporate fast. We are fasting for:
- Breakthrough in your personal walk with God.
- Healing for those in our community who have lost everything.
- Salvation for those who are far from God
- The Miracle of a well-paying job
- Breakthrough for our families and our church.
Don’t stay down. Get back up, lean into the desperation, and let’s seek God together.
How can I get involved in the The Heart LA Fast this year?
- Join the church in a 7-day fast. We will be fasting together from January 19-25.
- Attend The Heart LA's Worship Night on Friday, January 23rd at 6:30 pm.
- Participate in our 24 Hours of Prayer.
This blog was adapted from a message Pastor Randall preached at The Heart LA Church.
See the full message here.