Spiritual Disciplines FASTING and PRAYER Spiritual Disciplines 1

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Spiritual Disciplines FASTING and PRAYER

Spiritual Disciplines FASTING and PRAYER

Spiritual Disciplines 1 Timothy 4: 6 -10 TRAIN yourself for the purpose of godliness

Spiritual Disciplines 1 Timothy 4: 6 -10 TRAIN yourself for the purpose of godliness Why do we do this? 1. Because it has great benefit in both this life and the next 2. Because of the HOPE that Jesus gives us through salvation

Spending Time in God’s Word • The nature of the Word as REVEALING •

Spending Time in God’s Word • The nature of the Word as REVEALING • The purposes of the Word that can Provide salvation as it reveals Jesus Give life Help us fear and understand the Lord Equip us for ministry Gives us encouragement and hope • God is calling us to know and obey His word.

Fasting and Prayer

Fasting and Prayer

Fasting Matthew 6: 16 -18 16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the

Fasting Matthew 6: 16 -18 16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ”

Fasting Luke 5: 33 -35 33 Then they said to him, “John’s disciples fast

Fasting Luke 5: 33 -35 33 Then they said to him, “John’s disciples fast often and say prayers, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but yours eat and drink. ” 34 Jesus said to them, “You can’t make the wedding guests fast while the groom is with them, can you? 35 But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them—then they will fast in those days. ”

Two Questions about Fasting • Should we do it? • How we should do

Two Questions about Fasting • Should we do it? • How we should do it?

Fasting Matthew 6: 16 -18 16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the

Fasting Matthew 6: 16 -18 16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ”

Fasting Luke 5: 33 -35 33 Then they said to him, “John’s disciples fast

Fasting Luke 5: 33 -35 33 Then they said to him, “John’s disciples fast often and say prayers, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but yours eat and drink. ” 34 Jesus said to them, “You can’t make the wedding guests fast while the groom is with them, can you? 35 But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them—then they will fast in those days. ”

Fasting is the abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. (Donald Whitney)

Fasting is the abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. (Donald Whitney)

Types of Fasts in the Bible 1. Absolute fast: No food or water (Ezra

Types of Fasts in the Bible 1. Absolute fast: No food or water (Ezra 10: 6, Esther 4: 16, Acts 9: 9)

Types of Fasts in the Bible 1. Absolute fast: No food or water (Ezra

Types of Fasts in the Bible 1. Absolute fast: No food or water (Ezra 10: 6, Esther 4: 16, Acts 9: 9) 2. Normal fast: Abstain from all food but not water (Matthew 4: 2)

Types of Fasts in the Bible 1. Absolute fast: No food or water (Ezra

Types of Fasts in the Bible 1. Absolute fast: No food or water (Ezra 10: 6, Esther 4: 16, Acts 9: 9) 2. Normal fast: Abstain from all food but not water (Matthew 4: 2) 3. Partial fast: Place limits on diet but not full abstention (Daniel 1: 12)

Types of Fasts in the Bible 1. 2. 3. 4. Absolute fast: No food

Types of Fasts in the Bible 1. 2. 3. 4. Absolute fast: No food or water (Ezra 10: 6, Esther 4: 16, Acts 9: 9) Normal fast: Abstain from all food but not water (Matthew 4: 2) Partial fast: Place limits on diet but not full abstention (Daniel 1: 12) Supernatural fast: No food or drink 40 days (Moses and Elijah)

Who does the fasting and when? 1. Private Fast- Matthew 6 2. Congregational Fast-

Who does the fasting and when? 1. Private Fast- Matthew 6 2. Congregational Fast- Joel 2: 15 -16 and Acts 13 3. National Fast- 2 Chronicles 20: 3; Nehemiah 9: 1, Jonah 3 4. Regular Fast- Old covenant celebrations; Jesus’ day Jewish tradition 5. Occasional fast- Upon a specific need (See later discussion)

Why fast? 1. Strengthen Prayer- Ezra 8: 21 -23 21 I proclaimed a fast

Why fast? 1. Strengthen Prayer- Ezra 8: 21 -23 21 I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us, our dependents, and all our possessions. 22 I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who abandon him. ” 23 So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and he was receptive to our prayer.

Why fast? 2. Express grief or repentance 2 Samuel 1: 11 -12 11 Then

Why fast? 2. Express grief or repentance 2 Samuel 1: 11 -12 11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. 12 They mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening for those who died by the sword—for Saul, his son Jonathan, the LORD’s people, and the house of Israel.

Why fast? 2. Express grief or repentance. Joel 2: 12 -13 12 Even now—this

Why fast? 2. Express grief or repentance. Joel 2: 12 -13 12 Even now—this is the LORD’s declaration—turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 13 Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the LORD your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and he relents from sending disaster.

Why fast? 3. Seek deliverance or protection Esther 4: 15 -16 15 Esther sent

Why fast? 3. Seek deliverance or protection Esther 4: 15 -16 15 Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish. ”

Why fast? 4. Dedicate yourself to God (Overcome temptation) Matthew 4: 1 -11 Jesus

Why fast? 4. Dedicate yourself to God (Overcome temptation) Matthew 4: 1 -11 Jesus prepared for his ministry by fasting

Why fast? 5. Seek God’s Guidance (Acts 13: 1 -3) Now in the church

Why fast? 5. Seek God’s Guidance (Acts 13: 1 -3) Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. ” 3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.

Why fast? 5. Seek God’s Guidance Acts 14: 23 23 When they had appointed

Why fast? 5. Seek God’s Guidance Acts 14: 23 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed

How long do I fast? Follow the lead of the Holy Spirit

How long do I fast? Follow the lead of the Holy Spirit

Prayer is associated with fasting but also is a spiritual discipline by itself

Prayer is associated with fasting but also is a spiritual discipline by itself

John 15: 4 -8 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as

John 15: 4 -8 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.

Prayer Ideas 1. Join your prayer time with your Bible study time Where? When?

Prayer Ideas 1. Join your prayer time with your Bible study time Where? When? How?

Prayer Ideas 2. Keep a list of prayer requests Allows you to be more

Prayer Ideas 2. Keep a list of prayer requests Allows you to be more specific Can acknowledge times when God answers

Prayer Ideas 3. As your time grows you will get distracted (even in your

Prayer Ideas 3. As your time grows you will get distracted (even in your thoughts) so have a pad of paper and write down those distractions. This could be things like meetings, things to do, etc.

Prayer Ideas 3. Use the ACTS prayer acrostic A- Adoration (Spend time praising God

Prayer Ideas 3. Use the ACTS prayer acrostic A- Adoration (Spend time praising God for who HE is) Psalms C- Confession (Confess known sin and then unknown sin to God) 1 John 1: 9 T- Thanksgiving (Thank God for specific things He has done) James 1: 16 -17 S- Supplication (Pray for others and yourself) ** As your prayer life grows you may pray for certain things on certain days)**

Prayer Ideas 4. Start small and be consistent…then your time will grow 10 minutes

Prayer Ideas 4. Start small and be consistent…then your time will grow 10 minutes of prayer a day 5 -7 times a week is better than 25 minutes only on one day Set goals as you grow in your prayer life and trust God for big things!

Spiritual Disciplines FASTING and PRAYER

Spiritual Disciplines FASTING and PRAYER