Have you determined: That you will fast What you will fast Why you will fast

Matthew 6:16–18 And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 9:14–15 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.

Fasting involves food, because it helps us experience continual prayer.

Fasting places God on the throne of our lives, as we subject our needs, desires, and cravings to Him.

Three types of fasts: 1.Absolute Fast – No food or water 2.Full Fast – No food, but water (juice or clear broth) 3.Partial Fast – Giving up certain food(s) and/or drink(s)

Fasting feeds you spiritually while you hunger physically.

1.We would rather live full 2.We think we’ll miss out on something 3.We don’t think it will accomplish anything

Can’t I just pray? Why do I need to fast?

Ecclesiastes 4:12 A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Mark 4:20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

1.Deliverance/Victory

Fear Intimidation Uncertainty Destruction Feeling like a Failure

2 Chronicles 20:3; 17 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the L ORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah…… 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the L ORD on your behalf.

Bondage Addictions Strongholds

Judges 20:26–28 Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the L ORD and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the L ORD. 27 And the people of Israel inquired of the L ORD 28 saying, “Shall we go out once more to battle against our brothers, the people of Benjamin, or shall we cease?” And the L ORD said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hand.”

2.Understanding

What lessons can I learn? What is God doing or about to do? Why is this person acting this way? Why has this happened?

Daniel 10:2–3; 12 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks…… 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

3.Repentance

Jonah 3:5; 7–10 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes…… “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water……

8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

As you hunger physically it may reveal to them their spiritual hunger. And may unleash forgiveness in your heart!

4.Direction

What am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to go? A decision needs to made… which one? Action needs to be taken… what do I do? A course need to be charted…. Where do I go?

When you face those trying moments in life when it seems you do not know which way to go, fasting can bring clarity and Godly insight.

Ezra 8:21; 23 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions…… 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

When sports takes on an outsized role, when it works against school, family or faith, then sports are no longer helping to form character, but rather character is being formed to sports. – Dr. James Emery White

5.Assignment

Have you ever been in a time in life when you know God has called you to something?

Acts 13:2–3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

6.Preparation

Are you about to embark on a new opportunity?

When a new season in life is nearly upon you, fasting can provide spiritual preparation greater than any amount of study, learning, or education.

Matthew 4:1–2 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Fasting for preparation means not stopping until you’re full equipped!

Too often we end our fasting early and we’re not completely prepared for the struggles, attacks, and temptations we’ll face.

Fasting for breakthrough is not about doing without food to get your way. It’s about being so desperate for breakthrough you’ll go to any lengthens to get it.

Do you need breakthrough? How far are you willing to go? How long are you willing to go without? Is breakthrough more important than the satisfying your hunger?