There is a divine synergy woven into the spiritual practices of prayer, fasting, and the anointing of oil. These three holy disciplines form a powerful triad that the Holy Spirit is drawing the Church back into—one that not only sustains us in spiritual warfare, but purifies, consecrates, and positions us for supernatural encounters with God. This threefold cord is not easily broken and becomes a mighty weapon in the hands of a spiritually mature believer.
The Biblical Call to Anoint with Oil While Fasting and Praying
Many overlook a key command from the Lord in Matthew 6:16–18, where Jesus speaks of the spiritual discipline of fasting:
“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you will not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Matthew 6:17-18 (MEV)
Jesus made it clear—anoint your head when you fast. This wasn’t a casual suggestion. It was an invitation into deeper consecration. When we apply anointing oil during a fast, it is not just a symbolic gesture, it’s a prophetic act of setting ourselves apart, declaring our body and soul yielded to the Father. The anointing separates us for His purposes, much like the priests in the Old Testament were set apart for service to God.
Spiritual Weapons That Are Not Carnal
The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10:4:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 (MEV)
Fasting, prayer, and anointing oil are three of those mighty weapons. When applied with faith, they break strongholds and usher in clarity, healing, and spiritual authority. They strip away the noise of the flesh and heighten our spiritual discernment.
A Weaponized Lifestyle of Consecration
Fasting isn’t just denying ourselves food—it’s denying the flesh its dominance. It trains us in obedience and disciplines the soul to listen to the Spirit. Coupled with prayer, our communication with God becomes unhindered and more sensitive. And when oil is applied, we step into alignment with a biblical precedent that honors God’s command to consecrate what is sacred.
Jesus connected prayer, fasting, and anointing intentionally. Each carries weight on its own, but together, they are a supernatural force. We see this trifold strand again in Ecclesiastes 4:12:
“A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (MEV)
Maturing in the Spirit: From Milk to Meat
Paul speaks to spiritual immaturity in 1 Corinthians 3:1:
“Brothers and sisters, when I was with you, I found it impossible to speak to you as those who are spiritually mature people, for you are still dominated by the mindset of the flesh.”
1 Corinthians 3:1 (TPT)
This rebuke still echoes today. Many believers stagnate because they’ve never trained their flesh to yield or their spirit to hear. Maturity isn’t automatic—it’s cultivated. Prayer, fasting, and the anointing oil become essential tools that allow us to grow in Christ-like character, discernment, and endurance.
The Anointing that Purifies and Aligns
Oil has always had a sacred purpose in Scripture. From Aaron’s priestly anointing to Jesus being anointed before His burial, oil has been used to set people apart, to purify, and to empower. As we fast and pray, using anointing oil is a prophetic invitation for the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, aligning our minds, bodies, and spirits with the purposes of Heaven.
Kathy DeGraw offers a powerful Anointing Oil for Prayer, Healing, and Deliverance on her ministry shop. This oil has been prayed over and is used by believers around the world to break strongholds and release healing. You can also find Kathy’s anointing oil on Amazon or pair it with one of her deliverance books like “Prophetic Spiritual Warfare” or “Discerning and Destroying the Works of Satan.”
Use This Oil During Your Next Fast
If you’re seeking greater intimacy with God, clearer direction, or breakthrough in a stubborn area, consecrate yourself for a time of fasting and prayer—and apply anointing oil in faith. Declare the Word over yourself, anoint your head and hands, and step into alignment with Heaven.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Have I ever truly yielded my flesh to the Spirit in the secret place?
Am I using all the spiritual weapons God has made available to me?
Is there an area of my life where breakthrough is delayed due to lack of consecration?
Have I invited the Holy Spirit to purify and align my motives through fasting and anointing?
What would happen if I truly set myself apart, fully surrendered, and pressed into Him with everything?
Declarations to Speak Aloud
I anoint myself today for the purpose of holiness and consecration unto the Lord.
I break every assignment of the enemy trying to hinder my breakthrough in fasting and prayer.
I declare my spirit is aligned with the Spirit of God, and my ears are open to Heaven.
I speak strength over my soul to resist temptation and stay committed to this fast.
I declare my body is submitted, my flesh is denied, and my spirit is strengthened in Christ.
I receive divine revelation and supernatural strategy during this fast.
I am set apart by the Holy Spirit, anointed to fulfill my Kingdom assignment.
I welcome the purifying fire of the Lord to cleanse my thoughts and desires.
Every demonic stronghold over my life is being broken as I fast and pray.
The Lord who sees in secret is rewarding me openly for my obedience.
When you engage in fasting, prayer, and anointing with oil, you partner with the Spirit of God in a powerful way. These aren’t rituals—they are biblical weapons designed to bring you closer to your purpose, your calling, and your Savior. If you’ve never fasted with oil before, make this your moment of consecration and trust that the Father who sees in secret is about to reward you in ways beyond your imagination.
You can find Kathy’s full selection of anointing oils, books, and prophetic mentorship resources at kathydegrawministries.org/shop and her online courses at training.kathydegrawministries.org. Anoint yourself, fast with intentionality, and pray with fervency—because breakthrough is on the other side.
