Tony Evans Speaks Out on Fasting

DR. TONY EVANS is the founder and president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry dedicated to restoring hope in personal lives, families, churches and communities. Dr. Evans also serves as senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas. He is a bestselling author of numerous books and his radio program, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, is heard on more than 500 stations every day. For more information, visit: tonyevans.org.

"Are you willing to give up your steak and potatoes to gain spiritual riches?Sometimes it's hard to make the concentrated effort of prayer. When the need is urgent, God has prescribed an urgent method. Tony Evans asks, "How badly do you want an answer? How much do you want deliverance from that destructive habit? How badly do you want to save your marriage? Do you want it enough to give up food, or some other gratification? Then come before God with prayer and praise in fasting." Fasting is a way you can make a special link with Him when you need a spiritual breakthrough. Fasting can help the believer-get in touch with God without distractions-pursue God's grace-step onto the path of humility-achieve spiritual victory-wait before the LordFasting is an appropriate response to physical or emotional needs, difficult circumstances or relationships, challenges in ministry, or times we need specific direction. "Fasting is not just an aside to the Christian life, but essential to the life that pleases God."TONY EVANS is senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, and president of The Urban Alternative, a ministry devoted to promoting a clear understanding and relevant application of Scripture in order to bring about change in urban communities through the church. He is author of many books, including The Battle is the Lord's, Our God is Awesome, Returning to Your First Love, The Promise, Who is This King of Glory?, What Matters Most, and The Best is Yet to Come.