Silicon Valley Healing Rooms Implementing Fasting as a Tool
The four-letter swear word that starts with “F” in the Christian language is FAST. Or at least many Christians treat this word like a swear word by refraining from using this word in their vocabulary or behavior. No one wants to fast if they don’t have to. Fasting deprives the physical body of a daily need or comfort. Usually, it takes an extreme situation to activate the need to fast. Nonetheless, fasting can be found throughout Scripture, both in the Old and the New Testament. It serves a purpose.
After the Israelites’ Golden Calf incident in the Wilderness, God established a yearly fast with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Every year, for one day, the day celebrated as Yom Kippur, the Jews fasted to atone for their sins of the previous year. The High Priest went into the Holy of Holies on that day to seek God’s forgiveness for the sins of the people. This tradition continues to this day. |
A thousand years later, while in exile to Babylonia, with the threat of having every Jew in the Persia empire killed, Esther called for a three day fast across the land to protect her when she went to see the King. She received favor and a strategy from heaven for exactly what steps to follow to plan a banquet and present the need to the King. This was a three day fast from food and water for both Jews and their livestock. This was serious. And God saved all the Jews. It’s a wonderful story found in the book of Esther in the Bible.
|
|
In Jesus’ day, the disciples were told to add fasting to their prayers to add power to their ministry of healing and sometimes deliverance. They were used to seeing things done quickly and being obeyed by evil spirits. They only asked Jesus when something didn’t go according to the normal procedure. They ran across a stubborn spirit that wouldn’t leave as commanded. Jesus’ responded, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29, NKJV). It is of note that some manuscripts (and therefore some translations) omit the “and fasting” phrase. The manuscripts were copied by hand for centuries and handed down and copied again. It’s not surprising that in some quarters the phrase “and fasting” was omitted. Most people who operate in the deliverance arenas will share that their experience through fasting does indeed help battling evil spirits in their ministries. Jesus fasted frequently. It was part of His lifestyle. He knew what battles were ahead for him and what He would need to go and do certain things. For prolonged battles, there were prolonged fasts. It was at the end of Jesus’ 40 day fast that Satan came and tempted Jesus. Jesus passed those tests. Satan left to plan his next attempt. The 40 day fast continues to be a successful model for breaking through serious attacks from the enemy. |
 There are many ways to fast. It can be from food altogether for one day or multiple days. It can be a fast from certain foods for a period of time (3 days, 21 days, 40 days, etc). Daniel did this kind of a fast when he refrained from meat and Babylonian delicacies and went with straight vegetables (see Daniel 1). It can be fasting from one food for an extended period of time (like chocolate or ice cream for 40 days). This type of fast often accompanies the season of lent before Easter. Determining the type of fast depends on the desired goal of the fast. It can be as simple as skipping lunch and praying during that time. Most of the time, fasting is an individual thing between the person and God. However at times, certain ministries might call for a group fast around a particular cause or event.
If the Lord calls for fasting for an individual, He will guide and direct the steps. If there are medical concerns, check with a doctor first. The Lord may ask someone who cannot physically fast from food to fast from an activity (as a sacrifice). The movie Chariots of Fire is about an Olympic runner who believed God didn’t want him to run on Sundays. Some people fast from certain (addictive) TV shows, or from computer gaming (for a season). Again, fasting is usually very customized and developed with God individually. It does help with breaking free from ensnaring habits. As a tool, fasting can be part of an individual or a group’s spiritual armor. Fasting often factors into a victory plan. |
God Answers Prayer
Since our last Healing Rooms Open Hours:
One woman’s stress level went from an 8 to a 4 during the appointment. Her experience was excellent. God stilled her fear, healed rejection issues, and revealed how precious she was to God. She felt God’s support. She left with less fear and anxiety around rejection. |
One woman stress level went from a 7 to a 5. She felt the prayers reminded her of her identity as a daughter of God. She felt God was listening to her when people around her were not. She left reminded that God would guide her through the many decisions that are ahead for her. |
One woman came in for prayer about several issues going on in her life. She shared a story of a relative of hers that had kicked a drug habit, moved back to California, landed a steady job, had a girlfriend and was considering marriage. As she shared this story from her family, the team helped her realize that answered prayers are designed to give us steps of faith to build on as we asked for new requests. The God who was faithful in one complicated situation is able and willing to be faithful in the current situation and in all future situations. Together the team and the woman celebrated one victory to give faith to the new challenge. |
The teams prayed for issues around anxiety, marriages, heart healing, strength to take action, wisdom, adult trauma, addiction, cancer, diabetes, God’s peace and strength, relief from fear and worry, high blood pressure, AFIB symptoms, low heartbeat, perseverance and endurance, life direction, whether to move or not, job changes, relationship with adult children, disagreements with neighbors, faith renewal, breakthrough in circumstances, counteracting witchcraft, workplace challenges, settling in to a new place to live, dealing with home repairs, caring for a loved one, financial breakthrough, sciatica, sleep disorders, and trauma relief.
Scheduling an Appointment
Together, Silicon Valley Healing Rooms Prayer Ministers are ready to take your prayer requests to God in prayer. They also seek God’s word for you in advance of the appointment.
We are now taking signups for prayer appointments for Tuesday June 17, 2025
To sign up for an appointment, there are TWO STEPS:
1. Let us know your TOP THREE APPOINTMENT TIME PREFERENCES, in order of priority.
We will coordinate the teams, and send the zoom information on Monday for the appointment on Tuesday.
2. Share a phone number so we can TEXT you with scheduling changes.
In the event that we are not able to offer you the time frames you desire, you may share a phone number with us to text you if an opening should arise when someone needs to cancel an appointment. This happens from time to time, and we are able to text you to see if you are available to join an available prayer team. All information is confidential to the ministry and is not used for solicitation. This step is optional.
You are welcome to sign up for prayer appointments at the following times listed below:
| Morning Times: | 11:10 to 11:40 am |
| 11:55 to 12:25 pm | |
| 12:40 to 1:10 pm | |
| Evening Times: | 7:10 to 7:40 pm |
| 7:55 to 8:25 pm | |
| 8:40 to 9:10 pm |
It is our greatest joy to join you in prayer and pray for whatever you want to bring before God. We pray, believing, knowing, and confident that God answers prayer.
If you don’t need prayer right now, you are welcome to forward this to others you know that might want people to pray with them.
***We love to hear how God has answered prayer. Please share what God has done in your life as a result of prayer. You can reply to this email, or share it in your appointment, or write a comment on our web site.
The spiritual winds are blowing strength, life, and peace into us,
Stephanie Shoquist, Donna Maranon, Jim Clow Directors, Silicon Valley Healing Rooms Team
Future Open Hours Online: July 1 & 15
CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME You can contribute to Silicon Valley Healing Rooms online or by cash or check. Learn more by visiting the website www.SiliconValleyHealingRooms.com.