Fasting and Prayer

Introduction

Why Pray And Fast?

WHY FAST? Well, first of all, WHY NOT? There is something about prayer & fasting that rub the flesh the wrong way! First thing the flesh says is.. DO I GOTTA?

ANSWER: YES! ===> well, that is if you want to be successful in God! If you want to be a spiritual failure…No you don’t have to Pray & Fast.

We will assume that since you’re here, you want to make it!

PRAYER & FASTING ARE NOT OPTIONAL FOR A CHILD OF GOD!

These are issues of Spiritual discipline… they are a must: HERE’S WHY:

1. A POWERFUL WEAPON WHEN MIXED WITH PRAYER

Mark 9:25–29 NKJV

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

(we’ll come back later)

Acts 12:5 NKJV

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

(AND HE WAS SET FREE)

James 5:15–16 NKJV

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Many battle you will face will be coming from Satanic forces & Devils. But by prayer & fasting you will overcome!

2. WE ARE TOLD TO PRAY

1 Timothy 2:8 NKJV

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

Philippians 4:6 NKJV

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Romans 12:11–12 NKJV

not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Luke 21:36 NKJV

Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Luke 18:1 NKJV

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

1 Peter 4:7 NKJV

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Colossians 4:2 NKJV

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

HOW TO PRAY WILL BE COVERED IN NEXT WEEKS SESSION: However, NOTICE:

Matthew 6:5 NKJV

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Note that Jesus said WHEN you pray… not IF you pray. Prayer was expected. But Jesus taught us to pray with sincerity… not for show like pharisee.

ALSO: DON’T PIDDLE AROUND, PRAY MEANING BUSINESS ===> BELIEVE!

Mark 11:24 NKJV

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

AS A GROWING CHRISTIAN, YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT A PRAYER LIFE IS WHAT BUILDS AND MAINTAINS YOUR FOUNDATION: EVERYTHING RISES OR FALLS UPON YOUR ABILITY TO TOUCH HEAVEN.

*** You must have a relationship with Jesus Christ.. Not just the church!

3. WHAT SHOULD WE BE PRAYING FOR?

Leaders… both spiritual & secular…

1 Timothy 2:1–3 NKJV

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

Did you notice that you don’t start by praying for self? Gimme Gimme… We should be praying for those in authority, not just bashing them verbally!

*** YOU SHOULD DAILY PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR & HIS FAMILY & YOUR CHURCH ***

1 Thessalonians 5:11–13 NKJV

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

That your counted worthy to escape…

Luke 21:36 NKJV

Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

For the lost…

Matthew 9:38 NKJV

Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

To overcome Satan…

John 16:33 NKJV

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Romans 12:21 NKJV

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

<<< Tell story of Daniel chapter 10 briefly >>>

To be spiritually minded & overcome the flesh…

Romans 8:5–9 NKJV

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 NKJV

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

To maintain a forgiving humble spirit…

Matthew 6:14–15 NKJV

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Proverbs 8:13 NKJV

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

To keep from fainting…

2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Proverbs 24:10 NKJV

If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.

START PRAYING & DON’T STOP FOR ANYTHING!

*** PEOPLE OF PRAYER ALWAYS HAVE THEIR REWARD!

Cornelius found salvation: Peter was freed from prison: TO NAME A COUPLE! ________________________________________________________________

A FEW WORDS ABOUT FASTING:

Matthew 6:16 (NOT IF!)

Matthew 6:16 NKJV

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Like prayer: fasting must not be done for show… mean business!

First of all, fasting is always linked with prayer… fasting with out prayer is a diet… Nothing wrong with that… but it won’t have SPIRITUAL PUNCH! *** YOU CAN PRAY WITH OUT FASTING, BUT NOT VICE – VERSA

Matthew 9:14–15 NKJV

Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Jesus said there will be plenty of time for spiritual battle & heaviness… But while I’m here, I want you to enjoy it! (OH WE NEED THOSE TIMES!)

*** FASTINGS GREATEST WORK: = To help us subdue our flesh & be sensitive to the holy Ghost… Notice God’s direction came after fasting…

Acts 13:1–4 NKJV

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

FASTING IS CONNECTED WITH MOURNING:

Esther 4:3 NKJV

And in every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Psalm 35:13 NKJV

But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.

Psalm 69:10 NKJV

When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, That became my reproach.

FASTING MOVES GOD:

Ezra 8:21–23 NKJV

Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

Look at what Fasting will do:

Isaiah 58:5–6 NKJV

Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord? “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?

_____________________________________________________

SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED

____________________________________________________

A> HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FAST?

No set amount in Bible… But should be regularly. Paul gave a hint…

2 Corinthians 11:27 NKJV

in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

B> ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FASTS? Many. Here are 3 basic types.

1. Partial: Fasting certain things of enjoyment but not total food.

Daniel 1:8–12 NKJV

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

2. Normal: Jewish fast was water only… for 24 hour periods.

3. Absolute: No water or food. This is not recommended for long.

Even in the Bible, the longest fast of this type was 3 days… except for occasions when supernatural strength was given.

*** REMEMBER: you are not fasting for ego, or to appease God.

Your fasting to draw close to God. If you fail during a fast, and slip, don’t let guilt destroy you… get back in it! If you come to a situation of complete weakness… eat some raisins or light fruit or honey. Then keep right back on it. You will notice how after 3 days fasting becomes simple after you get over the hump.

LET’S GET STARTED INTO SPIRITUAL VICTORY WITH FASTING & PRAYER!

1 Corinthians 7:5 NKJV

Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

We need to give ourselves to prayer & fasting…

It will kill out this old man, and open doors to the spirit for us.

*** IF THE FIRST CHURCH NEEDED IT, HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD THE LAST? ***