The rhythms of fasting

• 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.

Zach 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.