What is fasting?

Opening prayer and transition Prayer for healing of minds, emotions, and bodies in Jesus’ name. Blessing over the people and light-hearted comment about “sinners/singers” saved by grace. Transition to the morning teaching and reference to the notes on fasting and prayer. Purpose of the teaching Many new people in the church do not fully understand prayer and fasting. Long-time members also need renewed direction, inspiration, and encouragement from Scripture for an effective and profitable fast. Pastor’s personal struggle with coughing and mic; testimony of praying over the upcoming fast and the church. Realization: the Lord, as the Good Shepherd, cares more about the people and their fasting than the pastor does. Emphasis that believers must hear the Shepherd’s voice; call to open hearts and spirits to the Word and notes. What fasting is (definition and biblical basis) Fasting described as a spiritual discipline taught in the Bible, not an afterthought or optional for Christians. Reference to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) and the three practices: praying, giving, fasting (“when you pray… when you give… when you fast,” not “if”). Reading/summary of Matthew 6:16–18: Do not fast to impress others; keep normal appearance; the Father sees in secret and rewards openly. Clarification: corporate fast cannot be fully secret, but the heart motive still must be God-centered, not people-centered. Cultural critique: problem of overeating and food addictions; fasting is needed, not optional. Why fast? Main reasons 1. Health and personal reset Fasting brings health benefits; warning about “digging graves with forks and spoons.” Pastor’s personal testimony: fasting at the beginning of the year as a “reset” that affects months afterward and increases awareness of what is eaten. 2. Fasting gives more time for prayer Time normally used for preparing, eating, and cleaning up can be redirected to prayer. Acknowledgment of family responsibilities; encouragement to use available time for prayer. Biblical link between fasting and prayer: example from Acts 13 (worshiping, fasting, Holy Spirit speaks, Paul/Barnabas set apart). Explanation of the church’s prayer schedule for the fasting week (Monday–Friday, 6:30–8:30 with personal prayer, worship, exhortation, and corporate prayer each night, plus guest ministers and special focuses). 3. Fasting shows the depth of desire in prayer Fasting demonstrates how serious and desperate a person is about a prayer need. Challenge to those struggling with addictions, family issues, or sin to get desperate enough to say no to food. Story of a former pastor who listed God’s blessings and then asked, “What are you willing to do?” Scriptural support from Joel: Call a holy fast, sacred assembly; return to God with all the heart, with fasting and weeping. Teaching that fasting “turbocharges” prayer and reaches the core of one’s being. 4. Fasting releases God’s supernatural power Observation of revival signs: increased Bible sales, campus awakenings, baptisms, and renewed spirituality. Note that whenever God moves, the devil attacks (division, discouragement, defeat, depression, doubt). Emphasis that united prayer and fasting delivers decisive blows to the enemy. Scriptural examples: Ezra 8:23 (“we fasted and prayed… and he answered”). Isaiah 58:6 (fasting that loosens chains of injustice, breaks yokes, sets oppressed free). Testimony of church growth attributed to prayer and fasting (services, groups, leaders, missions). Warning: forward movement invites spiritual resistance, requiring vigilance and continued fasting. Importance of fasting in Scripture (examples) Often precedes major victories, miracles, and answered prayers. Examples listed: Moses fasting before receiving the Ten Commandments. Israelites fasting before miraculous victory. Daniel fasting for guidance and understanding God’s plan (reading Jeremiah, receiving revelation). Personal example: pastor fasting over whom to marry and other major decisions (work, place to live, business partnerships, missions trips). Nehemiah fasting and praying before rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, completing a century-old problem in 52 days. Jesus fasting 40 days before public ministry and during temptation in the wilderness. First Christians fasting during key decision-making (Acts 13, etc.). Application: fast over important life decisions; don’t rely on human wisdom alone. Precautions and heart posture in fasting Fasting is not: Earning answers or manipulating God. A hunger strike against God. Fasting is: Aligning with God’s will and opening space for what God already desires to do. Health cautions: Fast only as health allows; consider partial fasts if on medication, etc. Warning against “sneaky” or superficial consecrations (e.g., trivial fasting windows that cost nothing). Encouragement to make ...