Some Christians observe fasting, while others don't. But does the Bible truly require believers to observe this practice?

Keith Nix, the founding lead pastor of The Lift Church in Sevierville, Tennessee, notes in an article for Charisma News that as explained in Matthew 6:2 - 5, Jesus gives His disciples the threefold cord for their lives: "When you give... when you pray... when you fast..."

"Notice that Jesus didn't make these three acts optional for a believer. His instruction wasn't if, but when. So, giving, praying and fasting for the believer is not optional. Neither does God treat them like extra credit. They are core elements of the Christian life," he said.

In order to encourage more Christians to observe fasting, Nix says there are three benefits and breakthroughs that believers can experience when they do so. First, he said that Christians develop greater intimacy with God when they shun the worldly pleasures of food for a period of time.

Another thing that they can gain from fasting is understanding. Nix said that Daniel fasted for 21 days just to attain understanding, and God answered his prayers by sending the Angel Gabriel, who told him: "Do not be afraid, Daniel. For from the first day that you set your heart to understand this and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words....Now I have come to make you understand."

Lastly, Nix said believers who fast can break the power of the demons in their lives. He claimed that there is a level of faith and authority that can only be accessed through prayer and fasting. However, he clarified that fasting does not automatically ensure faith and authority. "No! Fasting just enables you to step into the fullness of what Jesus has already made available to you by His victory," he said.

World-renowned evangelist Billy Graham earlier wrote on his website that fasting is a wonderful spiritual experience that can draw believers closer to God. "Believers who never practice fasting and prayer are missing a spiritual discipline that has blessed many throughout the ages," he said.