Fasting: Voluntarily withdrawing from food and/or drink, or other - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Fasting: Voluntarily withdrawing from food and/or drink, or other fleshly appetites, for a specified period of time.

Fasting is refraining from food (or it could be certain pleasures or practices) for a spiritual purpose.

Fasting is refraining from food (or it could be certain pleasures or practices) for a SPIRITUAL PURPOSE.

"The power of the fast is found in the abject humility of people who desire the Lord's way in their lives more than the bread that sustains their physical bodies.“ --Jack Hayford

John 4:32 "But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about.""

John 4:34 "My food, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."

When we fast we are: SURRENDERING FOOD IN ORDER TO SURRENDER TO THE LORD.

Fasting is a temporary renunciation of something that is in itself good, like food, in order to intensify our expression of need for something greater — namely, God and his work in our lives.

We abstain from food (or other things) in order to give ourselves to prayer and fellowship with the lord.

Matthew 9:15 "The days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast"

Matthew 6:16 “WHEN you fast . . .“ WHEN you fast, not “IF” you fast.

Matthew 6:18 (Do you fasting) "only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

NINE PURPOSES FOR FASTING ISAIAH 58:6-8

1. TO GET FREEDOM FROM ADDICTIONS Isaiah 58:6 "To loose the bonds of wickedness"

2. TO SOLVE PROBLEMS Isaiah 58:6 "To undo the heavy burdens"

3. FOR REVIVAL AND SOUL WINNING Isaiah 58:6 "To let the oppressed go free"

“The secret of spiritual success is a hunger that persists ... It is an awful condition to be satisfied with one’s spiritual attainments ... God was and is looking for hungry, thirsty people.” - Smith Wigglesworth

As we fast and pray . . . LET THE POWER OF THE NEW LIFE BE GREATER THAN THE POWER OF THE OLD LIFE.

4. TO CONQUER MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS Isaiah 58:6 “And that you break every yoke”

5. TO MEET THE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF OTHERS Isaiah 58:7 "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry . . . "

6. FOR CLEARER INSIGHT IN DECISION-MAKING Isaiah 58:8 "Then your light shall break forth like the morning,"

7. FOR HEALTH REASONS, FOR HEALING Isaiah 58:8 "Your healing shall spring forth speedily"

8. FOR A MORE RIGHTEOUS LIFE AND INFLUENTIAL TESTIMONY Isaiah 58:8 "Your righteousness shall go before you"

"The power of the fast is found in the abject humility of people who desire the Lord's way in their lives more than the bread that sustains their physical bodies.“ --Jack Hayford

9. FOR THE GLORY OF GOD Isaiah 58:8 "The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard"

Four Reasons For Fasting 1. We fast to learn self-control

Four Reasons For Fasting 1. We fast to learn self-control 2. We fast to think more clearly

Four Reasons For Fasting 1. We fast to learn self-control 2. We fast to think more clearly 3. We fast to open ourselves up to God’s power flowing through us

Four Reasons For Fasting 1. We fast to learn self-control 2. We fast to think more clearly 3. We fast to open ourselves up to God’s power flowing through us 4. we fast to confess our sin and brokenness

Search me, O God, And know my heart today; Try me, O Savior, Know my thoughts, I pray.

See if there be Some wicked way in me; Cleanse me from every sin And set me free.