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FORWARD
Because of unbelief, in the Church, she has failed in her highest
purpose to glorify Christ. The spiritual power,the gifts of the Spirit, and
the emblem for which the Church stands are centuries behind in progress,
comFOpared to man's material advancement in the present civilization. We believe
Jesus gave the answer to this problem when He was questioned. Why did they not
have power to do certain things? Jesus gave to them a very simple answer.
"BECAUSE OF YOUR UNBELIEF." He taught why THIS KIND DID NOT COME OUT. He even
gave such simple directions that a simple formula was laid out for them for a
faith pattern. This would insure and guarantee certain victory, when
followed. They did follow His directions carefully, Jesus said: "This kind
goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21). The often, left out
"and fasting" is also found to be in the oldest original manuscripts!

We find that all churches in the New Testament times did follow these
teachings and there likewise were demonstrated signs, miracles and wonders.
Acts 14:23: "...in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended
them to the Lord, on whom they believed."

For three hundred hears the early church had tremendous power with
God. This was continued the same length of time that they fasted and prayed.
When the church left off doing these duties, she went into the Dark Ages.
Fasting and prayer in Martin Luther's time caused the church to emerge from
her darkest hour. The reformations that later came about, were born in fasting
and prayer. Unbelief was driven away.

There has never been a time in the history of Christian religion that
was more important than the present. Many deep spiritual saints of God are at
this time seeking Christ in major fastings. A great and mighty travail prayer
is going up before the throne of God. Prayers are being answered and
multitudes are again receiving great and mighty spiritual gifts of the Holy
Spirit. Salvation for the body as well as the soul is likewise being
experienced. The body is becoming saved from sickness as the soul becomes
saved from sin.

"By prayer and fasting" The prophets and most spiritual men and women
of all ages knew and experienced fastings with their prayings. The three most
spiritual men who were also the greatest miracle workers, were Moses, Elijah
and Christ. They each fasted forty days.

In 1946, when the first fast-faith books were written, the author
predicted a mighty last-day outpouring of the Holy Ghost gifts in signs and
miracles. This was to come about when the church went into deeper and more
extended fastings. From the first edition of this volume (printed in 1947),
the author quotes: "Many deeply spiritual saints of God are at this time
seeking Jesus in major fastings. Many are fasting twenty-one to forty days.
Thousands are fasting ten days. A great and mighty travail prayer is going up
before the throne of God. When folk obey the entire teachings of Jesus Christ,
then something must happen. Mighty outpourings of God's power are coming. A
great and mighty last day revival of miracles is coming. Why? Because Jesus
said, "This kind (any kind that will not respond to prayer alone) goeth not
out but by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21). I predict that you will see more
people fulfilling prophecy by taking extended consecration fasts than ever
before in the history of the Church of the living Christ. The Church will
again have her faith, and gifts in operation." (From foreword and last page of
Because of Unbelief, first edition).

Most Holy Ghost divine healing monisters know the value of proper
fasting and prayer in getting the sick delivered more successfully. The late,
Dr. Gordon Lindsay, author of many books on divine healing and with the Voice
of Healing Fellowship, told the author personally, years ago, that he
positively knew that 90 percent of the deliverance ministers, having a sign
gift ministry of healing, had some kind of major fasting, praying experience.
He further stated that they had followed the author's teachings and
instructions concerning their consectation fast, that they had had. Brother
Hall's efforts and sacrificial efforts made in the 1946 to 1948 fasting prayer
crusades, in many areas of the country brought special attention to the
neglected doctrine of fasting to the multitudes.

Sad to say, many of these well known ministers, today, hesitate,
neglect or even shun to mention the subject of fasting, because, more than
unlikely it is still so unpopular. Many of the miisters who once built their
ministry with "fasting-faith" are sick in their own bodies today. They are
coasting on a great experience they once had, yet multitudes were greatly
blessed and are being blessed today by what many neglect to tell about in
their ministry. Ministers should go back to fasting and be still more
successful.

Some twenty-five million pieces of literature on this doctrinal theme
have been printed, by the sacrifices of Brother and Sister Hall, and have been
distributed to more than fifty countries. This reached millions of ministers
who have testified that their ministry was helped.

As the reader goes into this little volume, the author knows that you
too will be blessed. However, please do not overlook the need to get this
message to others who may never have heard of this glorious ministry and
message. Be burdened with us in faith that our stupendous objective will still
be even more accomplished by partners sharing with us in prayers, fasting and
finances. Thank you.

(This 1975 Edition, 100,000 copies printed, Quadricolor Press, Los Angeles,
Calif. U.S.A.)

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D.L. July, 1999