NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER

Prayer and Fasting 2015

January 4-11

Jesus Instructed His Disciples

Matthew 6:16 (NKJV)

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Why are we fasting?

Matthew 9:14–15 (NKJV)

14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”

15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Why are we praying and fasting?

Cleansing, Healing,

Sanctification, Consecration, Repentance

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NKJV) 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Why are we praying and fasting?

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Why are we praying and fasting?

What Promises Has The Lord Given You?

What is Hindering Your Prayers?

How Do You Cleanse Ourselves from filthiness of the flesh and Spirit?

REPENTANCE – to have a change of mind affecting

our hearts and our behavior.

Why are we fasting?

To Humble Ourselves Before God

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Why are we fasting?

James 4:6–10 (NKJV) But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Why are we fasting?

To get rid of pride and offenses1 Peter 5:5–7 (NKJV) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

When You Are FastingConfess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept

God's forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When You Are Fasting

Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who

have hurt you.Mark 11:25–26 (NKJV) “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

When You Are Fasting

BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Ephesians 5:18–21 (NKJV)

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

When Your Are Fasting

Turn Your Faith Loose

Pray with Confidence

Pray According to the Word of God

1 John 5:14 (NKJV)14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

When Your Are FastingDo not underestimate spiritual opposition.

Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Galatians 5:16–17 (NKJV) 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

When Your Are Fasting

Believe God Will Give You

Boldness, Healing, Signs and Wonders

Acts 4:29–31 (NKJV) Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

When Your Are Fasting

Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your

worldly natureRomans 12:1–2 (NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

When Your Are FastingMeditate on God

His love

Sovereignty

Power

Wisdom,

Faithfulness

Grace

MercyCompassion

When Your Are Fasting

Psalm 103:1–5 (NKJV)

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

As You Start Your Fast

Make Your CommitmentHow long you will fast - one meal, one day, three days five days, a week, several weeks, forty days? (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.)

The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, juices, fruits and vegetables, one meal a day?

What physical or social activities should you restrict?

How much time each day can you devote to prayer and God's Word? An hour or two? Three, Four or MORE?

As You Start Your Fast

Have an Expectant Heart

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Finish Strong!

STAY WITH IT!

RECEIVE PRAYER FROM OTHERS

JOURNAL

GIVE TESTIMONY

SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

BREAK YOUR FAST SLOWLY!