Reasons We Fast

Gabriel Landis

Fasting • Sermon • Submitted a year ago

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#GraceSMM: Fasting is not a one time a year holiday but a through out the year Holy Day

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This week we hit our half way through our 21 day fast. I pray that God has been working on you through this. I also pray that this fast will let you see how God wants prayer and fasting as a way to reach out to Him.

We have look at Key Principles of Fasting. And how we are called to pray. My hope today is we look at the foundation of our christian faith and see that fasting was a major part of the christian life and was something done regularly for many different reasons.

#GraceSMM: Fasting is not a one time a year holiday but a through out the year Holy Day

Joel 2:12–13 (ESV)

12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

So when we fast is a great question that you are asking your self. There are Three time that we need to fast. This is not an inclusive list but some major times that we need to get back in the practice to pray.

Fasting is a returning to God.

Fasting is a way of Seeking

Seeking Direction ( talked about last week)

Disciples fasted when making decisions

Acts 13:1–3 (ESV)

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While 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 fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Seeking Answers ( ask and it will be given)

Matthew 7:7–8 (ESV)

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Seeking Deliverance ( Looking of Gods help)

Psalm 107:4–9 (ESV)

4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. 8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Seeking on behalf of others. ( Standing in the gap)

1 Timothy 2:1–4 (ESV)

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Fasting is a way of build

Strength for the battles

Matthew 4:1–2 (ESV)

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Faith for our walk

Romans 10:17 (ESV)

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

love for our neighbors

Romans 15:2 (ESV)

2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Today we are fasting as a church, I pray that as we face these some of these issues that you will call a fast in your own life as you come back to God, while seek and build what you need to get through