Prayer and fasting are biblically instructed ways we develop a closer walk with God. What we’re saying to God when we fast and pray is, “God, I want more of you and less of me.”
Ask yourself, what am I allowing to come between me and a closer, more serious walk with God? Much of God’s blessing, favor, help and nearness come from a posture of surrender. For that reason, we warmly invite you to join us as we devote ourselves to seeking God as a church in prayer and fasting during the month of August.
WHAT IS FASTING?
In, Habits of Grace, David Mathis says, “Fasting is an exceptional measure, designed to channel and express our desire for God and our holy discontent in this fallen world. It is for who want more of God. It is for those who feel truly desperate for God.”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones says, “Fasting could really include abstinence from anything which is
legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose.” But normal Christian fasting means privately and occasionally choosing to go without food (though not without water) for some special period of time (whether a day or three or seven) in view of some specific spiritual purpose. In short, fasting is abstaining from food for measured periods of time, in order to heighten our hunger for the things of God.
According to Don Whitney, fasting’s spiritual purposes include:
▪ strengthening prayer (Ezra 8:23); (Joel 2:13); (Acts 13:3)
▪ seeking God’s guidance (Judges 20:26); (Acts 14:23)
▪ expressing grief (1 Samuel 31:13); (2 Samuel 1:11-12)
▪ seeking deliverance or protection (2 Chronicles 20:3-4) (Ezra 8:21-23)
▪ expressing repentance and returning to God (1 Samuel 7:6); Jonah 3:5-8)
▪ humbling oneself before God (1 Kings 21:27-29); (Psalm 35:13)
▪ expressing concern for the work of God (Nehemiah 1:3-4); (Daniel 9:3)
▪ overcoming temptation and dedicating yourself to God (Matthew 4:1-11)
▪ expressing love and worship to God (Like 2:37)
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
-Romans 12:11