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The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting
Primary Texts: Matthew 17:21; Isaiah 58:6; Acts 13:2–3

Prayer and fasting are heaven’s invitation for earth to line up with God’s agenda. Prayer is how we speak to God; fasting is how we silence everything else that speaks louder than God. Many believers pray, but fewer fast—and that is why some victories are delayed, some breakthroughs are partial, and some chains remain intact.

Prayer alone is powerful, but prayer joined with fasting is transformative. Fasting does not make God move faster—fasting makes us more sensitive, more obedient, and more spiritually aligned. When Jesus spoke of prayer and fasting, He did not say if you fast—He said when you fast (Matthew 6). That tells us fasting is not optional for spiritual maturity.

Illustration (Intro):
When a car is out of alignment, you can still drive it—but the ride is rough, the tires wear unevenly, and you burn more fuel than necessary. Prayer keeps the engine running. Fasting brings alignment. Without alignment, you’ll move—but not efficiently, not smoothly, and not victoriously.

KEY POINT 1: Prayer and Fasting Release Higher-Level Spiritual Authority

Scripture: Matthew 17:21

“This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

This verse teaches us that not all battles are equal. Some demons respond to prayer; others respond only when prayer is fortified with fasting. Fasting deepens your spiritual rank—not because you become stronger, but because your flesh becomes weaker.

When you fast, you step into a realm where your authority is recognized in the spirit world. You’re not louder—but you’re weightier.

Illustration:
A whisper from a judge carries more authority than a shout from a civilian. Fasting doesn’t make you louder—it gives spiritual weight to your prayers.

KEY POINT 2: Prayer and Fasting Humble Us and Break Fleshly Dominance

Scripture: Psalm 35:13

“I humbled my soul with fasting…”

Fasting is God’s divine tool for humbling the soul. Pride feeds the flesh; fasting starves it. Many spiritual struggles persist because the flesh is still in control—appetites, emotions, habits, and attitudes.

Fasting reminds the body it is not in charge. When the flesh steps back, the spirit steps forward.

Short Story:
Someone once said, “My body tells me what time it’s time to eat—but fasting teaches my body to listen instead of lead.”

KEY POINT 3: Prayer and Fasting Open the Door to Clear Direction and Divine Guidance

Scripture: Daniel 9:3

“I set my face toward the Lord God… with fasting.”

Daniel did not fast out of desperation—he fasted for revelation. Confusion often exists because too many voices are speaking. Fasting quiets the noise so God’s voice can rise above distractions.

Direction is rarely absent because God is silent—it is absent because we are distracted.

Illustration:
Just as muddy water must settle before it becomes clear, fasting allows the soul to settle so clarity can emerge.

KEY POINT 4: Prayer and Fasting Align Our Will with God’s Will

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

“Thy will be done…”

Fasting shifts us from demanding answers to surrendering desires. It breaks the cycle of telling God what we want and positions us to receive what He wants.

Many prayers go unanswered because they are misaligned. Fasting realigns the heart.

Illustration:
A GPS only works when it knows your true location. Fasting tells God, “Here I really am—now lead me.”

KEY POINT 5: Prayer and Fasting Break Yokes and Release Spiritu

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Genesis 37 – The Covenant Advances Through Joseph: Dreams, Destiny, and Betrayal

(Part 37 in the “God Keeping Covenant” Series)

Genesis 37 begins the Joseph narrative, which will run through Genesis 50.
Joseph is not just a dreamer — he is God’s chosen instrument to protect the covenant family.

This chapter teaches us:

• Covenant destiny often begins with dreams
• God reveals purpose before preparation
• Favor can provoke jealousy
• Betrayal does not cancel destiny

Theme: God keeps covenant by advancing His purpose through suffering, discipline, and divine providence.

Genesis 37:1–2 – Joseph Introduced

Joseph is 17 years old and tending sheep with his brothers.
He brings a bad report about them to his father.

Covenant Lesson:

Calling often reveals itself early, but immaturity can complicate destiny.

Genesis 37:3–4 – Jacob’s Favoritism

Jacob loves Joseph more than the others and gives him a coat of many colors.

This garment symbolizes:

• Favor
• Authority
• Distinction

The brothers hate Joseph because of this favoritism.

Covenant Lesson:

Favor without wisdom can provoke unnecessary conflict.

Genesis 37:5–8 – Joseph’s First Dream

Joseph dreams his brothers’ sheaves bowing to his.

He shares the dream — and hatred increases.

Covenant Lesson:

Not everyone is mature enough to hear your dream.

Illustration:

Destiny is revealed in stages — discretion is part of preparation.

Genesis 37:9–11 – Joseph’s Second Dream

The sun, moon, and stars bow to Joseph.

Even Jacob rebukes him — yet keeps the saying in mind.

Covenant Lesson:

God-given dreams often disturb family order before they fulfill divine order.

Genesis 37:12–14 – Joseph Sent to His Brothers

Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers.

This act unknowingly sends Joseph into his destiny.

Covenant Lesson:

God uses ordinary obedience to move us toward extraordinary purpose.

Genesis 37:15–17 – A Divine Detour

Joseph gets lost, but a man redirects him to Dothan.

Covenant Lesson:

Divine detours are not accidents — God directs steps even when we feel lost.

Genesis 37:18–20 – Plot to Kill Joseph

The brothers call him:

“Here comes this dreamer!”

They plan murder.

Covenant Lesson:

Dreams attract spiritual opposition.

Genesis 37:21–24 – Reuben Intervenes

Reuben plans to rescue Joseph later.

Joseph is stripped of his coat and thrown into a pit.

Covenant Lesson:

God may allow us to be placed in pits — but not abandoned there.

Genesis 37:25–28 – Joseph Sold into Slavery

Judah suggests selling Joseph.

Joseph is sold for 20 pieces of silver.

This foreshadows Christ.

Covenant Lesson:

God can use betrayal as a bridge to destiny.

Genesis 37:29–30 – Reuben’s Horror

Reuben returns and is devastated.

Covenant Lesson:

Delayed obedience can cost opportunities.

Genesis 37:31–33 – Deception of Jacob

The brothers dip Joseph’s coat in blood.

Jacob believes Joseph is dead.

Covenant Lesson:

Deception destroys families and multiplies grief.

Genesis 37:34–36 – Joseph in Egypt

Jacob mourns deeply.

Joseph is sold to Potiphar in Egypt.

Covenant Lesson:

What looks like the end is

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Announcements for this week – Pastoral Teaching 7pm Wednesday Pastoral Teaching www.facebook.com/owcoc

Why Fast – Prophetic Doreen -When should we fast – Minister Micheal

Different Types of Fasts – Exalter Reid – Benefits of Fasting – Bishop Tucker

Making Spiritual Preparation for Greater things to Come

Getting Spiritually, Mentally, and Physically Fit for the Manifestation of God’s Work

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 - But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. Verse 7 says But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

Hidden wisdom describes what the natural mind cannot see, deep things describe what only the Spirit can reveal.

Prayer sharpens revelation, Fasting disciplines perception, Spiritual fitness prepares us to receive God’s deep wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:12 - “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”

Many believers shout about verse 9, but few read on to verses 10 through 14, where Paul explains how those greater things are revealed. He says they are revealed by the Spirit, discerned spiritually, and understood only by those who are spiritually prepared. In other words, the limitation is not what God has prepared, the limitation is what we are prepared to receive.

Before God manifests His power publicly, He prepares His people privately.

Before the Jordan River parted, God told the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Before fire fell from heaven, the altar had to be repaired.
Before resurrection power was revealed, Jesus prayed and fasted.

Prayer aligns us.
Fasting disciplines us.
Obedience positions us.

A miracle is not just something God does for us—it is something God does through a prepared life.

Acronyms for fasting

F – Forsaking the flesh
A – Aligning with God’s will
S – Submitting self to God
T – Trusting God completely
I – Intensifying prayer
N – Nurturing the spirit
G – Growing in grace

Spiritual preparation through prayer, fasting, and self-discipline positions us for the manifestation of God’s work.

Point 1: Moses Prepared Through Fasting—and Encountered God’s Glory

Moses spent forty days and forty nights fasting in the presence of the Lord.
The Bible says in Exodus 34:28 that he neither ate bread nor drank water while receiving the covenant from God.

Because Moses prepared himself, he did not just receive information—he encountered transformation. When he came down from the mountain, his face shone with the glory of God.

This teaches us that deep preparation leads to deep revelation.
If we want God’s direction, we must be willing to make room for it.

Point 2: Esther Fasted Before Acting—and a Nation Was Saved

When Esther learned that her people were marked for destruction, she did not rush into action. She called for a fast and said in Esther 4:16, “Neither eat nor drink for three days… an

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