Fasting and Prayer

Billy Spence

PRAYER,FASTING • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Luke 2:36–40

Prayer

Victory

Fasting and Abstinence

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We Have A PRAYER HEARING GOD

It is God’s Nature to Hear and Answer Prayer.

It is in man’s nature not to pray.

Psalm 65:2 Wordstudy KJV

2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Hebrews 11:6 Wordstudy KJV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for [he that cometh] to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of [them that diligently seek] him.

Luke 2:37 Wordstudy KJV

37 And she was a widow of about [fourscore and and four] years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Why Fast and Pray?

Why Christians Should Sometimes Leave off Sleep, Nice Clothes, Family Life or Other Comforts to Pray and Do Nothing but Pray?

Rice, John R.. Prayer—Asking and Receiving . Sword of the Lord Publishers. Kindle Edition

The greatest saints of God throughout the Bible often fasted. Fasting is often connected with wholehearted prayer, with mourning, with repentance, with seeking deliverance from enemies or wisdom from above. Moses fasted forty days on mount Sinai, and our Saviour fasted forty days in the wilderness. The Bible tells how Joshua, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, the disciples of John the Baptist, Anna, the apostles, Paul and Barnabas, and others fasted and prayed. Saints of God got their prayers answered when they waited on God with fastings and prayer. Since Bible times, the greatest men of prayer have oftentimes fasted as well as prayed. A Christian is in good company when he fasts and prays. During the earthly ministry of Christ, the disciples of John the Baptist fasted, the Pharisees fasted, and naturally inquiries were made concerning the disciples of our Saviour.

Rice, John R.. Prayer—Asking and Receiving . Sword of the Lord Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Luke 5:34 Wordstudy KJV

34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

Luke 5:35 Wordstudy KJV

35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be [taken away] from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

So the Saviour not only fasted; He also taught His disciples to fast, and they did fast after He was taken away.

The only restriction that our Saviour put upon fasting is that it was to be sincere. Men should not disfigure their faces to appear unto men too fast.

What Is Fasting and Prayer?

Fasting is such a lost art, so little practiced, so little taught, that we need to consider here what is the meaning of fasting. How does fasting add to prayer? Does it mean simply to abstain from food? Is there virtue in fasting when we do not pray? What is the spiritual significance of fasting?

Rice, John R.. Prayer—Asking and Receiving . Sword of the Lord Publishers. Kindle Edition.

FASTING MEANS PUTTING GOD FIRST

What is Fasting?

Fasting is essentially giving up food (or something else) for a period of time in order to focus your thoughts on God. While fasting, many people read the Bible, pray, or worship. Fasting is found throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, over fifty times.

"Biblically, fasting is mentioned in both the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament it was often a way of expressing grief or a means of humbling one's self before the Lord.

Psalm 35:13 Wordstudy KJV

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

David humbled himself with fasting and Prayer.

We all have too much Pride. We all need to humble ourself’s through Fasting and Prayer.

In the New Testament it was a means to grow closer to God through mediating and focusing on Him. In Matthew 4:1-2 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Matthew 4:1–2 Wordstudy KJV

1 Then was Jesus [led up] of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he [was afterward hungry.]

Jesus went to the wilderness to fast for 40 days.

Matthew 6:16–18 Wordstudy KJV

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a [sad countenance:] for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, [which seeth] in secret, shall reward thee openly.

In Matthew 6:16-18 we learn that we aren’t to look somber while fasting so that it’s not obvious to others when we are fasting. Throughout the New Testament fasting and prayer are often mentioned together.

In Acts 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Luke 2:36 Wordstudy KJV

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she [was of a great age,] and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

Luke 2:37 Wordstudy KJV

37 And she was a widow of about [fourscore and and four] years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

An eighty four year old widow worshiped day and night fasting and praying.

Some of us who are older and disabled think we cannot have a ministry, but this lady at 84 years old had a wonderful ministry and worship God daily with fasting and praying. When we pray we are worshipping God . When we fast we are worshipping God.

Prayer and Fasting is a ministry.

Prayer is the most important ministry in the church. Prayer is the most important ministry for the Christian and the Christian family. Prayer is the most important ministry for the pastor. For without prayer we have no power to do anything. Bible reading is good. Bible study is good. Education is good and has its place. Bible college and seminary has its place. Teaching has its place. Preaching has its place. pray. The apostles said, "We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4). They put praying before preaching.

Acts 6:4 Wordstudy KJV

4 But we will [give ourselves continually] to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

But without prayer none of these have the power of God. And yet prayer is one of the most underused resources we have as Christians and as a church. WE NEED TO PRAY!

During and after Bible College I got it wrong. I sought intellect above praying. But when I was told I preached better before Bible College, the light bulb came on. I spent much time in prayer and less time in preparation. You see I’ve learned that we get what we pray for. Little prayer, little Power. More prayer, more power. Much prayer, much power

I’m sure God is tired of lazy and complacent Christians who submit to our selfish fleshly carnal nature and the wilds of Satan and we fail to pray and fast as we should.

REAL PRAYER IS WORK!

REAL FASTING AND PRAYER IS MUCH MORE WORK!

James 4:7 Wordstudy KJV

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Wordstudy KJV

17 Pray [without ceasing.]

Luke 18:1 Wordstudy KJV

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Matthew 7:7 Wordstudy KJV

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:8 Wordstudy KJV

8 For [every one] [that asketh] receiveth; and [he that seeketh] findeth; and to [him that knocketh] it shall be opened.

Fasting is Knocking With A Sledge Hammer!

When was the last time you knocked?

Following the example of Jesus and the Early Church believers, we, too can draw near to God while fasting.

WHAT DOES FASTING DO FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE?

1. Fasting and prayer can help us hear from God.

Matthew 7:7 Wordstudy KJV

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Have you asked? Did you seek? Did you knock and then did you fast? In my thinking it's like this: when you ask, that's like boot camp.

When you seek, that's like advanced individual training. That's where you get your specialty training.

When you knock, that’s like going through Recon Training for MARSOC, Ranger training, SEAL training, Air Force Para Rescue training, SFQC( Green beret)training or Delta: Anti-terrorist training.

But when you knock with the sledgehammer that's fasting, that's real combat.

And Jehovah Nissi is the Lord God our banner that goes into the battle before us and as we wait on him to finish the battle through fasting and prayer. He gives us a victory.

Ask? Yes. Seek? Yes. Knock? Yes. And if the communications line is still not open choose the sledgehammer of fasting and prayer. There are many times in combat that you will do without food. Again Prayer and Fasting is combat.

So if ultimately you want to hear from God, then pray and fast.

2. Fasting and Prayer can reveal our hidden sin and bring Revival.

Jeremiah 16:17 Wordstudy KJV

17 For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid [from my face,] neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

God can see our sins like a flashing neon sign. Nothing is hidden from his sight. We have found that frequently the harder sins to acknowledge are the hidden ones, especially when they involve our motives and attitudes.

When we fast and pray, we are taking time away from a meal or an activity to devote our entire being to focus on God. We find we are more sensitive to the voice of God, more attuned to hearing what He has to reveal to us. Gently, God whispers in our mind what we were really thinking at the time of our sin, what our true intent was and we are shocked…momentarily.

Then like a light turned on in a pitch black room, we see it. We did mean harm. We were manipulative. Even though our recognition makes us want to hide our face, our loving Savior lifts our chin to look into his forgiving eyes. As we repent, we no longer want to hide, but to praise and worship the very one who confronted our wrong.

Psalm 50:15 Wordstudy KJV

15 And [call upon] me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

A time of trouble is a good time to pray. If it is a good time to pray and if the trouble is severe, then it is a good time to fast too.

Joshua and the elders of Israel remained prostrate before the ark of God from morning until evening without eating after the Israelites were defeated by the men of Ai (Josh. 7:6). It was a time of distress, of defeat, of shame and of fear. The very destiny of the nation seemed at stake. When they fasted and prayed, God showed them the sin that hindered victory.

God can show us our hidden sins in our life through fasting and prayer. Then we can have Victory or Revival. Our pride hinders us from seeing our hidden sins. Fasting and prayer breaks through our pride.

3. Fasting and Prayer Can Strengthen Intimacy with God.

Zephaniah 3:17 Wordstudy KJV

17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

As you remain consistent in prayer and fasting, overtime, you will crave more quiet time alone with your heavenly father.

Psalm 42:1 Wordstudy KJV

1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

The more you know of God, the more you want. Fasting and prayer is a great catalyst to create an insatiable hunger for God's presence and you will enter into a place of deep intimacy with our Lord and our Father.

4. Fasting and Prayer can teach us to Pray with the right Motives.

James 4:3 Wordstudy KJV

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

The more you focus on your prayer time, pressing in with heightened sensitivity through the sacrifice of fasting, your will aligns with God. No longer are you praying with wrong motives, but are petitioning the Lord with all a heart of worship gratitude and an outward vision that cares for the needs of others.

1 John 3:22 Wordstudy KJV

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do [those things that are pleasing] [in his sight.]

1 John 5:14 Wordstudy KJV

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask [any thing] according to his will, he heareth us:

1 John 5:15 Wordstudy KJV

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

James 4:7–10 Wordstudy KJV

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 [Draw nigh] to God, and he will [draw nigh] to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye [double minded.] 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 [Humble yourselves] [in the sight] of the Lord, and he shall [lift you up.]

Prayer and fasting is the greatest form of humility.

HE WILL LIFT YOU UP!

5. Fasting and Prayer can build your faith.