“Disciplined in Prayer and Fasting”

Introduction

Voice text. We all know that apple is better than android. (Pause moment) Recently I have watched my wife use voice text. Its a powerful communication tool that enables a friend to hear your voice vs. just a text. Text messages feel so dry and can be misinterpreted. Also a main part of communication is tone. When you hear someones voice it just connects better. This tool was available to me for all these years and I had access to it, but never used it. This is very similar to prayer. Don’t you know that we have access to the most powerful tool for the believer. And that is prayer.

What is prayer?

A classic definition of Christian prayer is “an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies” (Westminster Shorter Catechism).

People that prayed in the Bible

1 Samuel 1:10–11 CSB

Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears. Making a vow, she pleaded, “Lord of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.”

Hannah didn't have a child. Being without child, people viewed you as cursed. This was an embarrassment, not to give your husband a child, especially a son.But Hannah healed her hurt through prayer. God later answered her prayer and have her a son called Samuel.

Acts 12:5 CSB

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying fervently to God for him.

Luke 22:42 CSB

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Daniel 2:17–18 CSB

Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter, urging them to ask the God of the heavens for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of Babylon’s wise men.

God expects us to Pray

Parenting is so fun. In our house their are certain things you don’t get extra credit for. Washing dishes is part of the job of being a child in our house. You don’t get money for chores. It is an expectation.

There are certain things as a deliver, God expects us to do.

Sharing your Faith and Making Disciples - We know that the text Go and Make disciples in the greek really is read As you are going, make disciples.

Another expectation of the believer is to pray

Matthew 6:7 CSB

When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words.

Luke 11:9 CSB

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.

Colossians 4:3 CSB

At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains,

1 Thessalonians 5:17 CSB

pray constantly,

The bible is filled with the expectation for Christians to pray.

God not only expects us to pray but he is

Why should we pray?

1. God Answers Prayer

Do you know that God answers prayer? Things change when we submit prayers to God.

Unanswered prayer request - Prayer aligns our will with Gods. Sometimes there are things we are praying for that our not the will of God.

You all are sitting in answered prayer. We have prayed fervently for God to send us a location and God has answered. Image church, if you need an more proof, just walk in this building.

Psalm 99:6 CSB

Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also was among those calling on his name. They called to the Lord and he answered them.

2. Prayer is a sign of faith in God

Our prayerlessnes is a sign that we don’t believe in God.

We don’t have a true relationship with him.

have you seen little children. They try to do everything themselves. They go through that phase of wanting to eat by themselves. Don’t need help. Thinking you can do things on your own is actually a sign of immaturity.

When you dont pray you are saying to God, I dont need you. I got this.

Ephesians 3:20–21 CSB

Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

3. Prayer is how we hear from God

Prayer is a two way conversation. Be carful not to always talk and down listen.

How do we grow in prayer?

1. Just Pray 2. Pray with Others 3. Meditate on Scripture 4. Read a Book

Now lets talk about fasting.

This month we are in our 21 days of prayer and fasting. One week down, three weeks to go. Most believers can embrace a prayer routine, because prayer is easy to embrace. But when it comes to fasting, we struggle. Because we worship pleasure and food.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Fast, Fasting

Spiritual fasting entails setting aside activities as well as reducing the intake of food and replacing these activities with the exercise of prayer and preoccupation with spiritual concerns. The NT word which is translated “fasting” literally means one who has not eaten, one who is empty.

Reasons for Fasting

Bereavement

Distress

Penitence

Seeking Gods Intervention - When Uriahs wifes baby became ill, the bible says David fasted for the boy. That God would heal him.

Seeking Guidance

Indicating Earnestness