Sermon Tone Analysis

The Effectiveness of Fasting With Prayer

Daniel 10:1–3 (ESV)

1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar.

And the word was true, and it was a great conflict.

And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks.

3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.

Daniel 10:10–14 (ESV)

10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.”

And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days.

For the vision is for days yet to come.”

Mt 17:20–21 (NKJV)

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

What is it?

Fasting is not the same thing as dieting.

And fasting is not the same thing as eliminating food for health.

Fasting is a non-required discipline (you don’t have to do it) where you alter your diet (there are many kinds of fasts) for a spiritual reason (there are many reasons to fast) and accompany the experience with prayer.

Elmer L. Towns, The Beginner’s Guide to Fasting, Second Edition.

(Ventura, CA: Regal; Gospel Light, 2009), 14.

Is it required?

In OT, Yes.

But not for Christians

Is It Expected?

Yes for Christians

Is it Possible to do wrongly/with wrong attitude?

Is it necessary?

What does it do?

When/How is it used?

Almost always used in recognizing need, loss, as a sincere cry for God's help.

In some cases, the soul was so desperate that eating seemed impossible.

Jesus did it?

Mt 4:1-2

Jesus once recognized it as impossible or unnecessary Lk 5:33-35