Prayer and Fasting

The inner practice that leads to outward change

Sermon notes by Sam Laing

1. INNER PRACTICE, OUTWARD CHANGE Matt. 6: 1-4, 5-6, 16-18

Jesus says, Not if, but when you fast…

What is fasting?

  • REFRAINING FROM FOOD FOR A SPIRITUAL PURPOSE
  • Not just going w/o food for a period of time – dieting or starving
  • Not just for fanatics, the super-intense or spiritual giants
  • Part of a normal relationship with God, just like prayer and giving
  • Brings you to a deeper and more intimate relationship with God
  • Sometimes we leave things out in our spiritual walk…neglect prayer life, don’t have our priorities right in our giving…HOW ABOUT FASTING?
  • Is it a part of your spiritual life?
  • Perhaps it is the key that will open the doors that have been closed…

But Jesus said his disciples were not to fast like the Pharisees and John the Baptist…

Luke 5:33-35 – when Jesus was on earth, his disciples did not fast, but after his resurrection, in these days we are to fast!!

2. FASTING FOR A BREAKTHROUGH Mark 9/Matt 17

Within or without

Mark 6: 7-12 gave them authority over evil spirits and demons, and power to heal… AND THEY DID JUST THAT

Have you ever seen God at work in your life in great ways and then later its like you run out of gas…you no longer do what you used to do…prayers don’t seem to get thru…can’t shake that sin or attitude…stuck where you are…insoluble problems…POWER SHORTAGE

But later…in Matt. 17: 14-21

They could not cast out the demon – they had done so before!

They ask Jesus: Why couldn’t we do it?

His answer: Your little faith….this kind comes out only by prayer and fasting

Some Reasons to Fast:

  • For closeness to God/seeking God/hunger, thirst for God, humility before God
  • For blessing when undertaking responsibility (Jesus at the beginning of his ministry)
  • For spiritual breakthrough (our circumstances may not change until we change!)
  • For deliverance from recurring sin
  • For revival
  • For repentance (Jonah – the Ninevites)
  • For the lost
  • For wisdom and guidance in decisions
  • For guidance for our future
  • For special needs and challenges: illness, finances, etc. (David and his sick child, 2 Samuel)
  • For people we love and care for: marriage, children, family, friends
  • For our church: leaders, events, needs

3. So where do we go from here? Practical guidelines

What are you going to do? A decision you make between yourself and God.

  • If your fast does not mean anything to you, it won’t mean anything to God. If your fast means something to you, it means something to God!

Kinds of fasts:

1) no food or water (extreme)

2) no solid food

3) fast from some types of food or liquid (e.g. Daniel 10: 1-3, 12-14 no meat, no choice food, no wine. We may choose to do a “world fast” – from worldly influences like TV, secular music, video games, other time-consuming hobbies)

How long? Decide in advance what you will do.

Some important suggestions and observations:

  • Fast to get closer to God
  • Fasting gets God’s attention!
  • The beginning of a year is a great time to fast!
  • Fasting causes supernatural intervention
  • Strive to stretch further than you have ever done in this year’s fast
  • Expect Satanic resistance
  • Fast with a partner or partners. Help each other stay motivated and faithful
  • Fast with a purpose, not casually. Write down your purposes, keep them before you daily.

Conclusion:

Jan 15- Feb.4, 2011

Modeled after Daniel’s 21 day fast – Daniel 10:1-3

Recommended reading: Jentezen Franklin: Fasting

What a way to begin our year!!

  • WE WILL SEE MIRACLES…ANSWERED PRAYER…CLARITY OF MIND AND HEART…SOME ANSWERS WILL COME LATER IN THE YEAR…LATER IN LIFE…BUT WE WILL BY THIS SHOW OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN THAT WE LONG FOR HIM…WE NEED HIM…WE WOULD RATHER FEAST ON HIS PRESENCE THAN HAVE A NORMAL DIET.
  • GOD WILL HONOR THE FAITH, THE HEART AND THE HUMILITY OF HIS CHURCH…