Daniel Fast Additional Information

Why Are We Fasting Again?

Prayer

Col 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (NKJ)

Heart of Why we Are Fasting

A. How many people want to Grow Spiritually?

1. Fasting is one concrete intentional way.

B. To:

1. unity

2. sanctify yourself, consecration

3. a fast that matches the desire- we want great things

4. cleansing- spiritually

5. openness to God

6. dedicate in thanksgiving to God and readiness to minister more

Members to Commit themselves to the vision and mission of BCC

Acts 13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. (NKJ)

Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (KJV)

Dan 9:3-4 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, (NKJ)

Neh 9:1-2 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads.

Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. (NKJ)

A. Fasting- def.- “cover mouth,” or abstain.

1. The expression used in the Law was “humble your souls.” Implying the sacrifice of the personal will, which gives to fasting all its value.

2. The Christian Church- Fasting was frequently joined with prayer that the mind, unencumbered with earthly matter, might devote itself with less distraction to the contemplation of divine things.

B. Fasting disciplines your spirit, soul, and body.

1. It is practicing and exercising discipline that stops us from sinning, keeping yourself from sin, and practicing restraint.

2. If you can not turn down a French fry then how are you going to turn down fornication? If you can not alter your appetite, how are you going to alter your anger? Food has way too much of a fix on our flesh. It could be an area of fasting, but do you do it?

3. Matt 26:41- The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

4. Fasting disciplines you to nullify the works of the flesh and strengthens your spirit to produce the Character traits of the Fruit of the Spirit.

5. We must admit we need greater access to and any help possible to become more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, self-controlled, humble, less stressed, less frustrated. God help us in here!

6. As Paul stated, I fast often, but my flesh still says, “hey is this necessary?, is there any other way?, can we modify this at all?”