Your prayer life is a journey. You will begin to see the fruits of your labors as you become a person who lives a lifestyle of prayer and fasting.
What I have found is that everyone has their own story. Everyone has their own encounters with Christ.
My desire for you, as you become a person of prayer, you will be stirred with a fresh hunger and desire to grow in your relationship with God.
How to Begin
Start with a clear goal. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Pray daily and read the Bible.
Preparing Spiritually
Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).
Deciding What to Fast
The type of fasting you choose is up to you. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.
Deciding How Long
You may fast as long as you like. Most can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. Beginners are advised to start slow.
What to Expect
When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God’s face.
How to End
Don’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks.
Why should I fast?
1. PRAYER (Ezra 8:23)
Throughout the Bible, fasting is associated with prayer. For example, Jesus fasted and prayed during some of the most intense moments in His earthy life.
2. SEEKING GOD (Judges 20:26)
The act of fasting can soften our hearts, remove worldly concerns, and make us more receptive to His leading in our lives.
3. GRIEVING (1 Samuel 31:13)
Fasting is often a natural response to grief and we see examples of fasting and grieving throughout Scripture. David and his men, wept and fasted after the death of Saul and his sons (2 Samuel 1:12)
4. SEEKING DELIVERANCE (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)
In Esther 4:15-17, Esther called her people to fast and pray for deliverance before she was to approach the king.
5. REPENTANCE (1 Samuel 7:6)
Fasting demonstrates the seriousness of our sins and a commitment to returning to God.
6. HUMILITY (1 Kings 21:27-29(
We need our God but also our position under His authority in our lives. Fasting is a physical manifestation of our need for God.
7. KINGDOM WORK (Nehemiah 1:3-4)
Nehemiah fasting over the devastation of Jerusalem illustrates that we can fast and pray for a particular facet of God’s kingdom work
8. MINISTRY (Isaiah 58:3-7)
This shows our need for God as we serve others and giving of ourselves for their benefit.
9. OVERCOMING TEMPTATION (Matthew 4:1-11)
Jesus fasted in the wilderness and in this was able to overcome the temptation of the enemy.
10. WORSHIP (Luke 2:37)
Fasting shows we are pursuing God for life and sustenance – placing Him above all else in our lives.
This is Pastor Jentezen Franklin. This sermon is titled, “The Importance of Fasting.” Jentezen has a 10 minute message to remind you about the importance of prayer and fasting.
Listen and be encouraged.
Fasting in the biblical sense is choosing not to partake of food because your spiritual hunger is so deep, your determination in intercession so intense, or your spiritual warfare so demanding that you have temporarily set aside even fleshly needs to give yourself to prayer and meditation. – Wesley L. Duewel
Fasting is an intentional abstention from food (or any craving) for a set period of time to seek God’s will through prayer. Through fasting and prayer, we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our Church, strengthen our families, and draw our communities to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
This may be the first time some of you are participating in the Christian discipline of fasting and we want this to be a positive, life changing experience. We have therefore proposed several different levels at which you can participate.
FASTING FOR BEGINNERS LEVEL: This is a great option if you have never abstained from food for lengthy periods or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for a set duration during the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast. You can choose not to view any media from 6:00 pm to midnight, and spend that time praying at the top of each hour. You can also skip one meal each day, and spend that mealtime praying at the top of each hour. So, if you skip breakfast and spend that time in prayer.
FASTING FOR INTERMEDIATE LEVEL: You can do what’s known as the Daniel fast. The Daniel Fast eating plan is like a vegan diet with more restrictions. The only beverage is water and the primary foods are fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. There are no sweeteners on the fast and no processed foods or chemicals. During this fast, set aside four times during the day to pray: 9:00a.m, 12:00noon, 3:00p.m, and 6:00p.m. If you are an early riser, add a 6:00a.m prayer time.
FASTING FOR ADVANCED LEVEL: In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option during the duration of the fast. Certain medical conditions do not allow for some to engage in a food fast. If you have health concerns, seek the advice of a physician before fasting from food. Before fasting, you may be tempted to eat a large meal to stock up. This can have some negative effects on your body. It is best to wean yourself from food. Make your last meal before the fast a light meal consisting of fruits and vegetables. Stay away from greasy or oily foods. When breaking your fast, do so slowly. If engaging in an extended fast, ease your body back into a normal pattern by eating a light diet consisting mostly of fruits and vegetables. After a few days, you can begin to eat meats again.
PRAYER POINTS: MY HEART IS FULLY SURRENDERED
PRAYER POINTS: I WALK IN OBEDIENCE
PRAYER POINTS: RELATIONSHIPS IN MY LIFE
PRAYER POINTS: LOST PEOPLE SAVED
PRAYER POINTS: GOVERNMENT
PRAYER POINTS: FAITH FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE
PRAYER POINTS: Pathway Church
