Fasting & Prayer Part 1
Why Fast?
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
I. Fasting and Prayer
A. Why Fast?
1. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that has been practiced by people of faith for thousands of years. It involves abstaining from food, drink or certain activities for a period of time, in order to focus on the Spirit.
a. Fasting in the OT served many purposes from repentance, to show grief, to seek deliverance or protection, and guidance from God and showing devotion.
b. Is fasting relevant under the new covenant? Yes.
~(Matt. 6:16-18)
~(Matt. 4:1-2; Matt. 9:14-15)
~(Acts 13:1-3) Paul and others
~(Acts 14:23) Paul and Barnabas
2. Fasting under the new testament is primarily a matter of bringing the body under subjection or crucifying the flesh so that the spirit can prevail and have preeminence.
a. (John 4:24)
b. (Gal. 5:16-25)
c. (Rom. 6:4-12, 16-23)
d. (Rom. 8:5-14)
e. (1 Cor. 9:27)
3. (Matt. 4:1:11) Jesus fasting in the wilderness.
a. (1 John 2:16) lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life.
b. (Gen. 3:1-6) Adam/Eve in the garden
[Pastor Lee Stokes]