Open Heavens- Prayer and Fasting 2

Topic: Open Heavens – Prayer and Fasting 2

Memory Verse: …  “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” – Matthew 17:21 – (NKJV).

Text: Luke 4:1-4

Spiritual Emphasis:  Prayer is communion with the Lord, the coming before our heavenly Father to know Him and to share your heart with Him, and to listen to Him.  Fasting is another way to do this, the act of refraining from an action. Most fasting involves food, but it can be abstaining from electronics, media, an action, or something of your choice. The act of prayer and fasting together creates a space of your life away from an action or distraction and is spent in communion with the Lord God.

     Benefits of Fasting with Prayers

• Fasting Fosters Repentance – God’s desire is for us to draw near to Him. He paves the way for our sanctification, but it is up to us to make that journey. He will not force it on us. Fasting is a venue to help make it happen with real, authentic devotion and sacrifice – Neh. 9:1; Jer. 36:9; Dan. 9:3; Joel 2:12-14.
• Authentic Fasting Will Never Draw Attention to Self – Jesus sternly warns of abusing Fasting by using it for a show and tell game to draw attention to oneself. This behavior misses the real purpose, which is drawing close to God, and seeking His will for one’s life and church.   To be authentic in Fasting, Jesus called us to maintain our regular appearance, as Fasting should never be done in a pretentious or showy way. Be sincere in your heart, not with your garments and looks! This way we are keeping our faith authentic, and the focus upon Christ as our Lord.  – Matthew 6:16-18; Psalm 23:5; Luke 18:10-14; 2 Cor. 5:10; Matthew 5:20.

Questions/Activities: Sackcloth and ashes were symbolic of penitence (the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance) in ancient Hebrew. What will be its equivalent now?

Conclusion.It is not merely refraining from food or an action, but it is coming before the Lord in prayer to hear the Holy Spirit speak to you and work in you. The Bible says this on when to pray, “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18). 

Shalom! Self-Study: Matthew 6:16-18; Jonah 3:5-9; Joel 2:12-13; Daniel 9:3-5; Exodus 34:28; Matthew 6:8; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Colossians 4:2; 1 John 5:14.