The rhythms of fasting
Filed under #churchnotes on July 30, 2023- Matthew 6:16 (Fast silently).
- You can pray without fasting but you cannot fast without praying.
- Prayer is personal communication with God. A reminder for us that He wants us to talk to Him.
- Watching Rangers on TV vs watching in person. That’s the difference between praying and fasting/praying.
- Fasting is recognizing what’s between me and the Lord and removing it. We are responsible for the distance and responsible for removing it.
- Fastest way to get back in his presence.
What is fasting?
- Suppressing the physical so we can focus on the spiritual.
- Soul fast: when you fast something other than food or drinks.
- Selective fast: water, juice, fruits, vegetables.
- Partial fast: fasting throughout the day (i.e. 7am to 7pm).
- Complete fast: only water.
Why do we need to fast?
- Increased sense of humility and dependence on God.
- Allows us to give more attention to prayer.
- Reminder of the sacrifice we have been called to. A life of sacrifice.
- Strengthen our self discipline and keep our flesh in check. (THE SPIRIT LEADS).
- Heightens our spiritual alertness.
- Expresses to God how serious we are about our prayers.
When do we fast? God responds to our sacrifice.
- When we want to ask God of something. Nehemiah 1:4
- When you want to repent. Joel 2:12
- We can fast when we want to worship. Luke 2:36-37
- When we want guidance. Acts 13:3
Homework: put a plan together, choose type of fast (do food if you can). Choose how long and why you are doing it.
Zack example: depending on the weight of the decision or how big of a miracle needed, that’s how he chooses. 3/5/7 water only.