Open Heavens- Prayer and Fasting 3

Topic: Open Heavens – Prayer and Fasting 3

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 Helps us overcome the calamities and challenges of life – Fasting is the Biblical way to humble ourselves (Psalm 35:13; 69:10). Esther fasted when faced with danger (Esther 4:16). Ezra fasted for protection (Ezra 8:21-23). Jehoshaphat fasted in the time of the invasion of the confederated armies of Canaanites and Syrians (2 Chronicles 20:1-9).
• Fasting Helps Renew our connection with God – Jesus said that His disciples will fast when He is gone (Mark 2:18-20). When we fast, we get our hunger back for the presence of God.
• Fasting Empowers us to fulfill God’s calling in our life – Most of the people in the OT fasted in a crisis; Jesus fasted for His calling. We should not fast only during problems, but also for our purpose. Anna was fasting for the coming of the redemption of Israel. (Luke 2:36-40)

Questions/Activities: When should we fast? Always, sometimes, when we have challenges or difficulties, in good or bad times, or as the Spirit leads.

Conclusion.  As you embark on the quest for the benefits of fasting, be sure you have met the conditions required to see results. Before you begin a spiritual fast, get rid of all strife, gossip, or anything else that is out of the love walk. You must be operating in the love of God to see results from a fast. These conditions prevent Satan from coming in and destroying the effectiveness of the fast. If you are not operating in love, your fasting will not benefit you.

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.