{"id":350579,"date":"2026-02-11T16:12:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T21:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/?p=350579"},"modified":"2026-02-25T11:53:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T16:53:22","slug":"fast-of-zacharias-understanding-its-purpose-and-how-to-participate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/post\/fast-of-zacharias-understanding-its-purpose-and-how-to-participate\/","title":{"rendered":"Fast of Zacharias: Understanding Its Purpose and How to Participate"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Fast of Zacharias<\/strong> will take place from February 12th to 18th<\/strong>, in conjunction with the 7 Days of Spiritual Battle<\/a><\/span>. Participants will focus on replacing negative words<\/strong> with words of faith and edification<\/strong>.<\/big><\/div>\n

 
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\nBeginning Thursday (February 12)<\/strong>, the guidance is clear: watch, persevere, and engage in greater consecration<\/strong>. Throughout these seven days, the 7 Days of Spiritual Battle<\/a><\/span> and the Fast of Zacharias will involve specific spiritual battles in different areas of life, alongside a fast from negative words<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What Is the Fast of Zacharias?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Unlike other fasts, the Fast of Zacharias<\/strong> does not require abstaining from food. Instead, it encourages participants to refrain from negative speech<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This means that for seven days, participants commit to avoiding murmuring, grumbling, complaining, criticizing, or speaking ill of anyone<\/strong>, including themselves.<\/p>\n

This experience encourages us to consciously monitor our speech and replace negativity with words of faith, gratitude, and edification<\/strong>. The proposal is based on the biblical principle that words possess spiritual power<\/strong> and directly influence the lives of those who speak them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Lesson From Zacharias<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The purpose of this fast is grounded in the biblical story of Zacharias<\/strong>, the father of John the Baptist. Although Zacharias was a righteous and faithful priest, he doubted the promise delivered by the angel Gabriel, leading to his silence until the fulfillment of the Word (Luke 1:5\u201322).<\/p>\n

Rather than a punishment, Zacharias\u2019 silence served as a form of protection<\/strong>. He could not use words of doubt to obstruct God\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n

This lesson remains relevant today: often, the biggest barrier<\/strong> between a promise and its fulfillment lies within our own words<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Language as a Spiritual Instrument<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Bible warns us about the power of the tongue. In James 3:10<\/strong>, it states:
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Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 
\nSimilarly, Proverbs 13:3<\/strong> teaches:
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He who guards his mouth preserves his life\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 
\nIn this light, the Fast of Zacharias<\/strong> stresses that the mouth was created to bless, not to curse. When feelings of complaint arise, the practical guidance is simple: speak to God<\/strong> rather than grumbling to people. After all, words spoken into the void produce effects in the spiritual realm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Watch This Word of Faith From Bishop Macedo, Where He Explains This Subject<\/strong><\/h4>\n