Prayer & Fasting for the Soul

Intro

Swimming

Unnatural or out of place things

(Slides)

Prayer & Fasting just don’t come natural

Communication

Go without food

Things that don’t come natural to us always require discipline

Recap Series

Psalm 23:1–3 NIV

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though Prayer and Fasting are some of the most beneficial spiritual disciplines for our soul, many Christians don’t practice them.

55% of American Christians admit to a regular prayer time outside of prayers said in church (Pew Research)

17% of American Christians admit to practicing the discipline of fasting (Barna Research)

Text

Mark 9:14–29 NKJV

14 And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” 17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” 19 He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. 21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 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!” 26 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.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

Background

The disciples had the power and authority to heal and cast out demons

The implication is that the disciples were not doing these things

Why?

Were they not capable?

Luke 9:1–2 NLT

1 One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. 2 Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Application

Reasons We Don’t Pray & Fast

1) We don’t know how or why

Telephone vs Antenna

Trophy vs Mirror

2) We don’t want to relinquish control

Why do we like being in control?

We can claim the victories

We don’t do a good job of owning the failures (That’s not our fault…out of our control)

I can rest in the fact that God is in Control. Which means I can face things that are out of my control and not act out of control. (Lysa TerKeurst)

3) We don’t think that they make a difference

Didn’t have a clear vision of the why and were hurt in the process

If they didn’t make a difference, why would Jesus address them?

How Should We Approach Prayer and Fasting?

Psalm 63:1–5 NLT

1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 4 I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.

Prayer and Fasting should always lead us to recognize God’s power and glory

Should never point to ourselves or cause us to look more spiritually mature

Always brings a clearer understanding of God

Prayer and Fasting should satisfy us more than the richest feast

Always leads to contentment, not guilt or frustration.

It is satisfying to the soul

Challenge (worship team)

Spiritual food is nothing

Establish the regular discipline of prayer and fasting

What would it look like if you practiced these 2 disciplines on a regular basis?

Jesus tells us that there is a certain kind of demon that can only be cast out by prayer and fasting

Have you been trying to cast out some demon (addiction, habit, sin) on your own power?

What is your reason for not praying and fasting?