Fasting & Prayer 2011

Confirmation Camp 18 March 2011

Natasha Yong

Is there a difference?

Abstinence (the avoidance of particular foods* at certain periods of the year or on certain days of the week)

*can be replaced with something that is good

Fasting is total, no food or liquid intake

From the 1st Adam

“And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

- Genesis 2,16-17

To the New Adam

Jesus started his ministry fasting in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights

- Matt. 4:1-2

“Can you make the guest of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, in those days they will fast.”

- Luke 5:34-35

Voluntarily going without food in order to focus and rely on God for the strength, provision, wisdom and fellowship.

Not a measure of sacrifice or giving up but of giving. One fasts to experience an intimate encounter with God and prays as a member of the redeemed Community

Both activities of fasting and prayer must be combined and dedicated to God's glory to be effectiveness.

During times of sorrow, distress, trouble, illness and death- 2 Sam 1:12 (David fasted when he learned that Saul and Jonathan had been killed)

- Nehemiah 1:4 (Nehemiah upon learning that Jerusalem was still in ruins)

In connection with great and important spiritual events- Exodus 34:28 (Moses receiving the 10 Commandments)

- Matt. 4:1-2 (Jesus in the wilderness)

When faced by evil- Acts 13:2-3 (Barnabas and Saul casting evil in Elymas the sorcerer)

When making important decisions- Acts 14:23 (Appointed elders for the church)

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

- Matthew 6:6

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

- Matthew 6:16-18

Isaiah responded by proclaiming that the external show of fasting and prayer, without the proper heart attitude, was futile

- Isaiah 58:2

Are you praying and fasting for things that honor and glorify God?

Draw close to God through prayer and worship

Allow intimacy with Jesus, let God reveal Himself to you

Planning your fast- Half meals, full meals

Have you fasted before? - Duration of fast (1 day - Judges 20:26, 3 days - Esther 4:16, 7 days - 1

Samuel 31:13, 40 days - Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8, Matthew 4)

Consider your schedule and obligations- Eg. Exercises, extended working hours

Plan fasts for times when other people will not be inconvenienced by your dietary restrictions

- Eg. Chinese New Year, Christmas

A form of worship

A spiritual discipline designed to tame the body so that we can concentrate on higher things

Fasting is about focusing on Jesus, not about abstaining from food

It’s about building relationships, with God and his people

Thank You