The most important conversion in the early church was associated with a fast – that of the Apostle Paul. The Apostle, by his own testimony, had been a blasphemer and was an accessory to the death of the first martyr, Stephen. Paul had seized men and women, because of their faith, and had them thrown into prison. In his last act of persecution, he had secured letters from the high priest for the purpose of uprooting the church at Damascus. But as he approached the gates of the city, the Lord Jesus appeared to him in a vision of dazzling brilliance. The young Pharisee asked what he should do. He was commanded to go into the city where he would be told what to do.

Blinded by the vision, the Apostle had to be led into Damascus. He immediately began a fast. For three days, he did not eat or drink anything (Acts 9:9). At the end of the three days, God spoke to Ananias, one of the Christians in Damascus. He told him to go and lay hands on Paul that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit "for behold, he is praying" (Acts 9:11). Ananias did not want to go at first, but the Lord explained what had happened – that Saul had seen a vision of Ananias "coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight" (Acts 9:12).

God could have sent Ananias the first day, but He did not. Those three days of prayer and fasting prepared Paul for his deliverance. People who have serious afflictions would do well to pray and fast like Paul until they have the assurance for the answer. If a person’s faith is to work to secure deliverance on his own from some chronic affliction, he might be completely healed if he would pray and fast before hands were laid on him by a minister of the gospel.

Cornelius was a godly man, a Centurion "who feared God with all his household, who gave always generously to the people, and prayed to God always" (Acts 10:2). He had not yet received the message of salvation through Christ, but his soul was crying out to God for a full revelation of his will. He was praying and fasting one day, and at about three o’clock in the afternoon, an angel suddenly appeared before him. The angel told him that his prayers and works of love pleased God.

God told Cornelius to send for Peter (his location and name were given) and Peter would tell him about the way of salvation. In the days of the apostles, many religious people prayed. What was it about Cornelius’ prayer that pleased God? No doubt God was pleased with his deep sincerity. But we must not forget that his prayer was accompanied by fasting – a vitally important factor. When Peter arrived at his house, Cornelius said "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing. And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God." (Acts 10:30-31)

While Peter preached about "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38), the Holy Spirit came and fell on Cornelius and his whole household.

Fasting without sincerity will accomplish nothing, as was the case with the Pharisees. But fasting and praying in sincerity is powerful; it moved heaven for Cornelius. In this case, it opened the door for the Gentiles to receive the gospel.