The Tragedy of an Unacceptable Fast

God is saying that the only kind of fasting that can touch Him and move Him is one that is done from a place of brokenness. Isaiah 58:6-12 highlights what brokenness means to God and where it starts from.

What Constitutes a True Fast?

Take time to read the passageand see for yourself, sis.

A truly broken heart is one that receives grace because it has been rid of self-dependency, self-worth, self-care, self-pity, and self-satisfaction. It has become desperate. It has relinquished control and has no desire to be seen or accorded the honour of men.

All she wants is the Lord’s touch, the Lord’s gaze, the Lord’s grace.

She is like the woman with the twelve-year issue of blood. She is not necessarily craving the mighty hand of God. She is so broken that she would be satisfied with merely touching the hem of His garment.

He does not even need to touch her. She simply wants enough room to touch Him. So, in that brokenness, with sufficient faith, she presses through the crowd, through the multitude trying to catch His attention.

But such a heart cannot go unnoticed by the Master. It is a heart that recognises its unworthiness. It mourns in dependency because it sees only one Source of hope and presses in to touch Him, believing that even such desperation means something.

In the end, she receives more than she ever imagined: complete healing, restoration, and far more than anyone else could have given her. She did not return empty-handed.

God says that those who fast in an acceptable way before Him will experience this:

“Salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.'” (Isaiah 58:8-12, NLT)

Did you read that well sisters?

According to Isaiah 58:8–12, when you engage in this type of true, God-centered fasting, you move into a position where you experience the active presence and favor of God in specific, powerful ways:

• Your light will break forth like the morning: You will experience clarity, spiritual illumination, and a sense of direction that dispels the darkness in your life.

• Your healing will spring forth speedily: You will see a quickening of restoration in areas where you have been wounded, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

• Your righteousness will go before you: You will walk in a level of integrity and favor that paves the way for your future actions and decisions.

• The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard: You will have divine protection and backing, ensuring that the presence of God covers your past and supports you from behind.

• The Lord will answer when you call: You will experience an immediate responsiveness from God; when you cry out, He will say, “Here I am,” ending the feeling of distance or silence.

• Your light will rise in obscurity: Even in the midst of dark, confusing, or hidden circumstances, your life and purpose will shine brightly and become visible to others.

• The Lord will guide you continually: You will move away from confusion and self-reliance because God Himself will provide ongoing, consistent direction for your life.

• He will satisfy your soul in drought: Even when your circumstances feel dry, empty, or barren, He will provide internal fulfillment and peace.

• He will strengthen your bones: You will be invigorated with supernatural energy and physical resilience.

• You will be like a watered garden: Your life will be vibrant, fruitful, and sustained by His life-giving presence, even in harsh environments.

• You will be like a spring of water whose waters do not fail: You will become a source of life and blessing that does not run dry, even when the world around you is struggling.

• You will rebuild and restore: You will be empowered to repair the “ruins” in your own life and become a person who helps restore the lives and foundations of others.

How amazing!!

In short, the result of a true fast is a total transformation from a state of struggle and “religious effort” into a life of divine connection, constant guidance, and sustainable fruitfulness.

Is this not why we choose to participate in Juicy July? Is this not what we are hoping to achieve when we fast for 31 days? What better ending could there be? What greater reward for our fasting than to have the Lord Himself quickly respond to our every call and personally guide us?

If we are going to fast at all, we must do it right. Otherwise, it will all end in vain.

We must begin to plead with the Holy Spirit to expose every pride in our hearts that has kept us from being wholly yoked to Christ in righteousness.

We must ask Him to break us until we are truly and completely broken before Him.

We must be broken for Juicy July to make any sense in our lives. Then the rewards of fasting will be ours.