How To Fast And Pray Effectively: Consecration Secrets With Dr. Myles Munroe | MunroeGlobal.com
Unlocking Effective Fasting and Prayer: Life-Changing Secrets Every Christian Should Know
Are you feeling spiritually stagnant, hungry for more of God’s power, or desperate for renewal in your life and family? One of the most transformative practices for believers, both individually and corporately, is the combination of fasting and prayer. For centuries, faithful men and women have sought God through these disciplines—and witnessed breakthrough, healing, and spiritual victory. In this article, we’ll explore powerful biblical principles about fasting and prayer, unpack why they matter, and discuss how you can consecrate yourself for a life that truly invites the presence and power of God.
Why Prayer Is the Foundation of the Kingdom
Prayer stands at the very heart of Christian living. According to the teachings of Jesus, prayer isn’t just a ritual or an optional part of faith—it is the central key that connects us to the Kingdom of Heaven. Every religion in the world engages in some form of prayer, highlighting the universal longing within humanity to reach for the supernatural. Yet, prayer isn’t merely a religious exercise; it’s a divine invitation for God’s will to be accomplished on earth as it is in heaven.
Scripture makes it plain: God has set eternity in the hearts of men (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This internal longing is proof that we aren’t just flesh and blood; we are spiritual beings created for communion with our Creator. However, the object and approach in prayer matter immensely. Christianity calls us not just to pray, but to pray to the living God and expect real answers.
The Unique Power of Fasting and Prayer Combined
Prayer alone is powerful, but when combined with fasting, it becomes an unstoppable force in God’s hands. Fasting intensifies prayer, because it involves willfully setting aside natural pleasures—food, entertainment, and even social activities—for a spiritual purpose. By silencing the cravings of the flesh and making space in our schedules, we hear God more clearly, grow in humility, and position ourselves to be used by Him.
So many Christians talk about the importance of prayer, but few actually experience powerful, effective prayer lives. So what’s missing? Most often, it’s two things: consistency and consecration. Many have the “cookbook” of faith—the Bible—but have never actually “cooked” the recipes. Fasting is the practical step that moves us from knowledge of prayer to a life of prayer.
God’s Conditions for Answered Prayer
Have you ever wondered why churches often see fewer people at prayer meetings than at any other event? The answer is simple: people quit when they feel prayer “doesn’t work.” Just like someone eventually stops putting coins into a vending machine that never delivers, they stop going to prayer gatherings when they see no results. This happens not because prayer is ineffective, but because God’s conditions for breakthrough are not always met.
Take 2 Chronicles 7:14, for instance. God says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” There’s a crucial condition here: “if.” God’s responses to desperate situations come only when His people fulfill these requirements—humility, genuine prayer, seeking His face, and a willingness to turn from sinful ways.
Consecration: What It Really Means
Consecration is more than self-discipline or dropping a few pounds. It’s about setting yourself apart—making a conscious, spiritual choice to pursue God with undivided focus. You can skip meals to lose weight or for health, but unless you use that time to seek the Lord, you’re only dieting. True fasting interrupts your regular life to prioritize spiritual hunger over physical appetite.
This means saying no to normal distractions, putting aside hobbies or entertainment, and carving out extra time for worship, Bible study, and prayer. It’s a season—sometimes short, sometimes prolonged—where God’s agenda comes first. The result? You become more aware of God’s burdens, hear His voice with new clarity, and experience transformation from the inside out.
The Humble Path to God’s Heart
Fasting and prayer begin with humility. To humble yourself before God is to admit you cannot solve life’s problems in your own strength. Scripture differentiates between simply performing religious actions and truly seeking God’s heart. God isn’t impressed by outward show—He desires contrition, sincerity, and openness to His leading. Wickedness, as defined by Jesus, isn’t just gross immorality; it’s any attitude that resists God’s will, withholds your gifts, or makes your obedience conditional on seeing miracles.
Those God uses greatly are those who come to Him not to bargain, but to yield. Are you willing to pray, “Lord, whatever You desire—use me!”?
Prayer: The Earthly License for Heavenly Intervention
One of the most profound truths about prayer is this: nothing happens on earth without human cooperation. God, in His sovereignty, has set up “spiritual laws” by which He works. Prayer is the very license God needs to intervene in our world. Without it, heaven stands at a distance. When you consecrate yourself in fasting and prayer, you are literally handing God permission to move, heal, deliver, and restore in your territory, family, and nation.
Fasting intensifies your prayer, focuses your mind, and aligns your heart with God’s agenda. It’s earthly partnership with divine power.
Why Jesus Modeled a Life of Prayer
It’s significant that of all things, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). They watched Him regularly slip away for hours—often starting as early as 2 or 4 a.m.—to commune with His Father. What astonished them was this: Jesus would spend five hours in prayer and heal a blind