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Introduction
All throughout Scripture you can see God's servants fasting and praying.
Prayer and fasting are mentioned literally hundreds of times.
Sometimes it was done for show as was the case many times for the Pharisees.
But, generally it was a demonstration of a serious heart cry to the Lord.
Jesus said "when ye fast", not "if ye fast".
So he taught as if it was something that we would do as a regular spiritual practice.
As we study the subject my goal is that we would see what fasting is and why it is important in the life of a Christian.
I. What is Fasting?
Definition: Laying aside the physical to focus my heart on the spiritual.
Highlighting my prayer with an increased level of volume.
It's saying to God - I am serious enough about this need, situation, issue or problem - that I am going to demonstrate it by setting aside my physical nessesity of food.
A. Elements (What is included)
1. Abstinence from food & normal physical pleasures
2. Prayer
3. Confession of Sins
4. Separation from the evil things of this world
B. Specifics
1.
How Long is a Biblical Fast ?
The Bible sets no specific time length for fasting.
Daniel fasted 21 days.
Esther and Mordecai fasted 3 days and nights.
The Lord Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness.
But frequently the Bible simply does not say how long people fasted.
We are not told, for example, how long Ezra fasted before making the journey to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:21-23).
Fasting is a matter of individual freedom under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
It can be one meal or many meals, according to the need of the hour and the direction of God.
Romans 14 speaks of this sort of thing and says, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Rom.
14:5).
II.
What Fasting is Not
Warnings about Fasting
General Warnings:
- Be careful if you have health issues of medications
- If you have never fasted don't try to fast for 10 days
- You need to drink plenty of water when you fast
1.
Some way to put God in a box
It does not guarantee an answer to prayer.
Example: 2 Samuel chapter 12 - David fasted for his son for 7 days but it did not change what God had declared through Nathan the prophet
2. A Spiritual Badge of Honor - Not a matter of Law but of Liberty
Fasting is not a matter of law but of liberty.
It is a personal matter.
Fasting is important and useful in Christian life and service, but it is not something that can be commanded and it is not something by which we are to judge the spiritual condition of others.
3. Some empty ascetic practice
Definition: Ascetic- a severe form of religious abstinence or discipline - basically a dry and empty legalism
III.
Why is Fasting Important?
When should we fast?
Why should we fast?
1.
When spiritual warfare requires it
Fasting is an essential part of spiritual warfare.
Mark 9:14-29
This "kind" - kind of what?
In verse 25 Jesus called it a "foul spirit"
Jesus had the authority over all and he was teaching the disciples that in order to access this power one has to fast and pray.
2. When wisdom is desired
3. When victory is desired in impossible situations
There was a situation when Esther was made queen that a man by the name of Haman was plotting to kill and exterminate all the Jews throughout the land.
4. When we are involved in ministry
Paul was mightily used by God and he knew the importance of fasting
5.
When a new ministry is launched or new territory is desired
5.
When we are severely tempted
IV.
Why we don't Fast
1.
Because we are carnal
2. Because we don't understand the need or the value
3. Lack of spiritual desire
V.
Additional Points of Interest
Modern Translations weaken the doctrine of fasting
God promises a reward for fasting
"shall reward thee"
VI.
Fasting Examples
• Judges 20:26--Israel fasted for victory in war.
• 1 Sam.
1:6-7--Hannah fasted for a son
• 1 Sam.
7:6--Israel fasted in repentance
• 1 Sam.
31:13--Men of Jabeshgilead fasted in mourning for Saul
• 2 Sam.
1:12--David and his men fasted in mourning for Saul, Jonathan, and the fallen of Israel
• 2 Sam.
12--David fasted for mercy upon his child
• 1 Kings 21:27--Ahab fasted for mercy
• 2 Chron.
20:3--Jehoshaphat and Israel fasted for help and protection
• Ezra 8:21-23--Ezra and the Jews fasted for help and protection
• Nehemiah 1:4--Nehemiah fasted in mourning and for help
• Nehemiah 9:1-2--Israel fasting in mourning and repentance
• Esther 4:16--Esther and friends fasted for victory
• Esther 9:3--Fasting is mentioned as having had a role in the victory
• Psalm 35:13-14--Fasting in prayer and mourning
• Psalm 69: 10-11--Fasting in prayer and mourning
• Isaiah 58:6-8--The fast which pleases God
• Jeremiah 36:9--Israel fasted for mercy
• Joel 1:14; 2:12, 15--God commanded fasting and repentance
• Jonah 3:5--The Ninevites fasted in repentance for mercy
• Daniel 9:3--Daniel fasted for wisdom
• Matthew 4:2--Jesus fasted when tempted in the wilderness
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