THE BENEFITS OF FASTING by Daniel Yohanna

BENEFITS OF FASTING
We are not fasting to get God's attention. Not like they did in the Old Testament, wearing sackcloth and ashes. Jesus said we should wear a "normal" look while fasting (Matt.6:16-18).
Fasting doesn't change God but changes us. Neither does it make God answer u faster. He's d same before, during and after your fast.
Fasting enables the flesh to be weak so that your spirit may be strengthened (which is why Jesus said a particular demon - then, before His death & resurrection - could only be dealt wt by prayer & fasting, as fasting makes your spirit strong). You don't need fasting to have authority over devils. "In my name," Jesus said, "you will cast out devils." (Mark 16:17). The devil is already defeated.
Your spirit becomes more sensitive and more responsive to God during a fast.
Jesus said there's a reward (an open reward) for prayer & for fasting (Matt. 6:6,16-18).
Fasting enables u to place ur attention on the Lord, as inferred in Matt.9:15 and Isa.58:3-7.
For fasting to be effective, it must be accompanied by prayer (or else, it is just a hunger-strike). The essence of our abstinence is to be more effective in prayer and communion with the Lord. (See Dan.9:3; Acts 10:30; 14:23; 1Cor.7:5)
You'll receive direction from the Lord as u wait upon Him in prayer & fasting (Acts 13:1-4; Isa.58:8-11)
You'll receive strength to mount up like an eagle to new levels (Isa.40:28-31; 58:14).
Depending on what ur aim is will determine how long ur fast goes for and how much u abstain.
I believe it is ok to drink water during a fast (for effective metabolism in your body) as water has no nutritional value.
If you're going for days, you could break in the evening with light or normal food (depending on you. I know of some that'll do 24hr fast, breaking in the morning only, instead of our regular evening break).
I've done different fasts at different times (over 4 months one time, breaking in d evenings. Now, I didn't set out for a 4-month fast. I just started and got used to it and so continued as I was enjoying my time with God) and 20days  marathon one time (breaking every 4th day in the evening).
Pls don't fast by some formula: 21-day fast (Daniel didn't set out to do a 21-day fast. He just held on till his breakthrough manifested on d 21st day. And not eating pleasant bread is unclear - whether he didn't eat at all or else ate but unpleasant bread. Kenneth E. Hagin talked about living a fasted-life: never eating to full capacity. He said he never did more than 3-day marathon b/c he always got d direction he was seeking by then).
Moses didn't set out to do a 40-day fast either. He wasn't fasting. He was caught up in God's presence on the Mount.
Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness for His 40-day fast. Be led pls if u have to go on a prolonged fast.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14). There is a link between fasting and the release of the anointing. Prayer/fasting releases the power of God.
Now, I do not see any biblical basis for d kind of "fast" where one eats food without some ingredients like oil or salt. That's affliction in O.T. fashion.
The Lord bless u as u wait upon the Lord.
I still wait upon the Lord the 1st 3 days of every month. We can do this together this year.
God bless u.