/ˌrekləˈmāSH(ə)n/ = the process of claiming something back or of reasserting a right.

In Genesis 1 we read how God created the world and everything in it. When He created mankind He did so in a different way than any other thing He created.

“²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26

God made mankind in His image and likeness. We have been endowed with characteristics that reflect the character and nature of God. As God and Creator, He is the supreme authority over all things. When God created mankind He gave them dominion over all that was created.

The word dominion means to rule or to exercise authority over. We were given the responsibility to keep harmony and order over all that was created in line with the will of God. Yet this authority was lost when Adam and Eve rebelled against God and introduced sin into the world.

All that was lost in the garden was regained at the cross! In Matthew 28, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus is preparing the disciples for His return to Heaven. He explains that all authority in heaven and on earth was given to Him and He is sending them (us) out to make disciples, baptize them, and to teach them to obey all God has commanded, on His authority. Fasting is the reclamation of the Divine authority that was given to us initially in the Garden of Eden to carry out God’s will.

In 2 Corinthians 10:2-5 Paul explains how this divine authority is used to tear down strongholds that are opposing the will of God. The imagery that Paul writes with reveals that we are at war against an army that will do everything it can to obstruct God’s will and promises in the life of a follower of Jesus.

God has given us faith, prayer and fasting as weapons to break the grip of the enemy attempting to prevent the answers to your prayers from arriving. Just as Daniel learned in Daniel 10 and the disciples discovered in Matthew 17, there are some victories in life that require prayer and fasting. The promise of doing all that Jesus did and greater in John 14:12 is for you today!

If God has not said “no” to your prayer request but it feels like your prayers are not being heard, it may be time to fast. The delay in receiving your answer may be the result of a battle taking place in the spiritual realm attempting to stop God’s answer, miracle, or breakthrough from reaching you.

Fasting is not an exercise in hope but an expression of faith. Fasting is not hoping God will hear you, fasting is an act of faith in a God who “loves to give good gifts to His children.” Without prayer and fasting we are left to occasional miracles and attempting to understand and explain why God is not answering our prayers. Let’s reclaim our authority in Christ by fasting and praying and see the miraculous today!