Acts 13:1-5

                                       Fasting and Prayer

Here marks the beginning of intentional missionary outreach.  What were these prophets and teachers doing when they heard the Lord?  ________________and __________________.  Do you remember what Jesus did before He went into ministry?  ________________ and _____________________.

            It is surprising what a minimal role fasting has in the lives of modern Christians, and yet Jesus spoke of it as a normal part of life for those who love and serve God.  Do you think we are missing out on something if we are not incorporating fasting into our lives?  Why or why not? _____________________________________________________________

            In his book The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting, Mahesh Chavda lists nine Biblical reasons to fast.  Here I have condensed them for your reflection:

1. We fast in obedience to God’s Word.  It is a tool of overcoming leaders in both the Old and New Testaments.  (2 Corinthians 6:4-6)
2. We humble ourselves before God and obtain His grace and power.  We all need His continuous power to live victoriously.  (James 4:10)
3. We fast to overcome temptations in areas that keep us from moving into God’s power. (Luke 4)
4. We fast to be purified from sin (and to help others become purified as well).  God wants us not only to defeat the entangling sins in our own lives, but also to go beyond our own needs to stand in the gap as intercessors for others.  (Daniel 9:3-5)
5. We fast to become weak before God so God’s power can be strong.  Fasting is a choice for God and against the flesh.  When you fast, you are making a conscious inward choice demonstrated by an outward act that you want God’s power to flow through you, not your own.  You want God’s answer, not yours. (Psalm 109:24-28, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
6. We fast to obtain God’s support in order to accomplish His will.  This was done so the leaders would make the right choice, and it was done to ensure their success in the gospel mission. (Acts 13:3-4, 14:23)
7. We fast in times of crisis.  (Esther 4:15-16, 2 Chronicles 20:1-22)
8. We fast when seeking God’s direction.  (Ezra 8:21-23)
9. We fast for understanding and divine revelation.  (Jeremiah 36:6)

Fasting does not earn grace or power from God, but it does help to open the way for our flesh to “step aside”, so that the Holy Spirit will more freely flow through us, and we may more readily understand His voice.  There are a variety of ways to fast, so take a few minutes and reflect on what kind of fast may be good for you to try.