The power of prayer and fasting
Isaiah 58:3-7
Introduction-
This morning I want us to look at the power of prayer and effectiveness of adding Fasting to prayer.
I believe most people do not understand the biblical concept of prayer and fasting.
Most people either ignore fasting (It’s not for me) or misunderstand what fasting is and get discouraged and do not participant.
Definition of fasting- a voluntary withdrawal from food / and/or drink for specific time period.
Isaiah 58 is a conversation God had with the prophet Isaiah concerning a rebellious Israel.
Isaiah was told to declare to Israel their rebellion.
Fasting was a common practice at that time and we pick up their conversation starting at verse 3-7.
Isaiah 58:3-7
Israelites are fasting and wondering why God doesn’t see or hear them.
Why their prayers were not being answered.
God is telling them, your rebellious, you have no desire to stop being rebellious, and you wonder why prayers are not working.
“You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.”
Though fasting is not commanded, there is scripture to back up the fact that some things won’t happen without fasting and praying.
You want kingdom work done, you need the power of God working.
It comes by fasting and praying that God’s will be done.
Mark 2:18-20 (paraphrased)
John’s disciples are fasting, Pharisee’s are fasting and some were asking Jesus “How is it John’s disciples, and the disciples of the Pharisee’s are fasting, but yours are not?”
Jesus replies, “But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and on that day they will fast.”
Jesus knew there would be a time that he would not be here physically with His disciples, “THEN THEY WILL FAST.”
Those days church we are living in! The bridegroom is absent and we need the spiritual power that comes from God by prayer and fasting.
Prayer is a spiritual discipline.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline. WE JUST DON’T LIKE DISCIPLINE!
Spiritual discipline is a by-product of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
We admire it in others
We know we are commanded to have discipline in our lives.
We know that it is a process that God uses to train us to do kingdom work and be kingdom minded.
If we do not understand what is to be accomplished by fasting, we will crumble like the Israelites and call out to God because He is not “listening to us”
Let’s get some groundwork on fasting and prayer
1 day fast- judges 20
3 day fast- Apostle Paul did after getting saved in Damascus in the book of Acts.
40 day fast- only water/ no food
40 day fast with no water and no food- will kill you. That is a miracle recorded in the Bible.
I know several people that claim that they have done a 40 day fast with only water or juices.
Bill Bright- founder of Campus Crusade for Christ
James Dobson- Focus on the Family
Jerry Falwell- Liberty College
Almost anyone can fast if they plan correctly and seek God’s wisdom.
Partial fast would be good for those that are diabetics. You omit certain foods for awhile, but not others so you physically don’t harm yourself.
You can fast certain meals- breakfast, lunch, or a dinner.
You can fast your favorite meal for a time.
The purpose of the fast is not just not eat. It is to deny the physical in order to focus on th spiritual (repeat)
If you want to benefit spiritually, you take the time that you would have eaten and transfer it to prayer and seeking God for direction in a certain area of your life.
1. We fast for more obedience to Jesus teachings Matt 6
2. We fast to demonstrate dependence on God- James 4:10
3. We fast for repentance of sin- Daniel 9
4. We fast for God’s wisdom and direction- Acts 13
5. We fast for deliverance in time of crisis. 2 Chronicles
God gives us tools to use to effectively live our lives, and fasting is a tool to effectively enhance our prayer life and commitment to God.
When we fast, it is not long before the tummy says “feed me” that is a physical test of fasting. Will you feed your flesh or rely on God for His strength.
It is a way for us to discipline our bodies for spiritual battles God needs us to fight.
Fasting and praying is a biblical discipline to have delayed gratification.
Something this society and this world has had a hard time dealing with.
Advertisements that tell us to “have it your way” “You deserve a break today”
All lead us to believe that life is all about us instead of seeking God for direction and service to Him.
If you are going to get this right- it is not about torturing yourself and letting everyone see how much you are suffering for Jesus.
Matthew 6:5-
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.”
Matthew 6:16-
“When you fast, do not look somber, as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men that they are fasting. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to you Father, who is unseen; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
It is not the physical act to show everyone how spiritual you are, it is the spiritual act that is between you and the Father to accomplish spiritual things in your life.
It is a spiritual discipline- you reinvest time and energy into prayer and Bible study and spend time with God.
It supercharges us- Food dulls our senses, and prayer energizes our senses.
Fasting clears away distractions- it allows us to hear from God and for Him to give us direction.
Rosedale Church is at a crossroads- I think most do not understand the transition that is being made.
We are not the little church we use to be, but were not the large church that has a lot of people to help. We are stuck somewhere in the middle and need God’s help for direction as we continue to move ahead as the Lord desires.
It takes the whole church praying for God’s direction and each individual to understand what part they play in the family of God.
Exciting times and scary at the same time.
Illustration- Pastor Cho pastors the largest church in the world. Believed to be around 700,000 members in South Korea. I cannot comprehend that number, and glad I do not have to manage it. He states in his book that he rarely counsels anyone (I understand that) and when someone is with great need and problem, their standard answer is “go to prayer mountain and fast and pray for 3 days. If they return and need is unmet, they are asked to return and fast longer. They believe that no problem cannot be handled and solved by prayer and fasting.
Prayer is not magical way to get answers.
We cannot force God by not eating. (hunger strike) to do what we want.
It is asking God to get involved and waiting for Him to speak to us with his desire.
I have fasted several times and what I have found is that most of the time, answers and situations change after the fast and happens days later.
We cannot even imagine what happens in the spiritual realm as believers and churches are praying for God’s will to be done.
Ephesians 3:20-3:21
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever.” Amen.
Jesus did not do many miracles in Nazareth “because of the lack of faith” if fact, He said He was amazed at their unbelief.”
This church wants to go to the next level- it comes by fasting and praying.
For some of the problems our families are facing, it will change through prayer and fasting.
Jesus said there are certain things that can only happen through prayer and fasting.
He also said to his disciples that he (Jesus) has given them power and authority over all the powers of the enemy. But unbelief and lack of spiritual discipline stopped them from receiving what God had for them.
Fasting doesn’t change God- it certainly will change you and I –guaranteed!
Fasting is self-denial, and calls us to a deeper commitment to the things of God.
You want to lose weight- go on a diet!
You want to see God do some amazing things in your life- be fasting and praying for it to happen and believe by faith that it will happen.
Before you ask anything- examine your motives. Check yourself if need be and seek God’s direction.
Closing-
I am asking you this morning to pause a moment.
Think about the things going on in your llife.
Maybe you need God’s help! God’s strength, God’s direction.
It will come from spending time with the Lord.
The church is at a crossroads- we need you to be praying that as we move forward, we have God’s direction.
Rosedale needs each one of you that calls this body of believers home to see what part that you play in this family of believers.
Don’t you want to see God do something amazing.
Amen
