This is a sermon slide series giving a short biblical overview on fasting. Fasting is one of the most common and powerful spiritual disciplines in the entire Bible. My experience & God's word have convinced me that if you want to get serious about prayer needs, fasting is like throwing gasoline on the fire of your prayers.

1. Fasting to Encounter God
A Biblical Overview
1-5-14

2. My Journey
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Began with Jr-Hi ministry at Glendale Pres.!
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Led by God in job transitions: Fl- to here!
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Long fasts, weekly fasting ( Wesley)!
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More of God: prayer and fast!
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Prelude to promotion, progress in spiritual growth

3. Fasting Defined
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To abstain from food or drink in some form for a season!
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Definition of verb: To hold fast and not be moved. To be
fixed, firm, secure; constant, steadfast, obstinate.!
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That rope is dangerously loose. Make it fast!!
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Hold fast. Don’t move.!
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To seek with deep commitment. Not casually.

4. Fasting in OT: God’s 911 Number
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Times of war or threat of it (Israel)!
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Sick Loved Ones ( David), Grief of Death ( Saul)!
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Seeking forgiveness from God ( Ahab, Daniel)!
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God’s protection (Ezra)!
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Pagan Nineveh! Changed God’s mind!
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Hard to find a religion that does not promote fasting

5. NT Fasting: Super-charged Prayers
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Jesus : 40 days to prepare for ministry & defeat of devil. !
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Jesus taught how to fast: “When you fast..” “How” not “If.”!
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Paul: three days before salvation & Baptism of Spirit &
many times during ministry!
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Before Choosing leaders: Antioch, Elders in Galatia!
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Fasting done by Who’s Who of Bible: next slide!

6. Moses
Anna!
David
Jesus
Elijah
Paul
Esther
Antioch Leaders!
Daniel
Galatian Church

7. The Choice to Fast
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Choosing God’s strength above our strength!
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Choosing God’s Presence above our pleasure!
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Choosing heavenly resources in place of earthly ones!
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Making our bodies a living sacrifice ( Rom 12:1)!
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Bringing our bodies under submission to our spirit
( buffet my body)

8. Fasting: Gas on Fire of Prayer
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Spirit saying: fast for MORE of the Presence of God in
our lives and in our gatherings!
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Prepares our hearts: purifies & intensifies faith &
sensitivity to God’s heart ( Vineyard fast)!
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Syncs our heart with God’s more deeply!
Defeats the devil easier and faster

9. Fortnight Fast: 14 Days
Fortnight and fortnightly are commonly used words in the
English-speaking world, where many wages and salaries and
most social security benefits are paid on a fortnightly
basis. American and Canadian payroll systems may use the
term biweekly in reference to pay periods every two weeks.!
!
Expect the wages of heaven to be paid to you in this fortnight
fast!
!

10. ✤
This is the first call to fast in this fellowship!
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Great opportunity to: !
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Know God better!
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hear His voice more clearly!
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understand the scriptures better!
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prepare yourself for a visitation from God!
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Prepare yourself & this church to bless others!

11. Prayer Targets: Experience God!
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More & deeper personal encounters with God: new
passion, intimacy, joy, peace, contentment & spiritual
power. Invite God to meet with you in a more
profound way.!
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Deeper encounters with God for our fellowship.
None left behind.!
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Greater encounters with God for our community and
for the world from our fellowship

12. How?
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Ask God what He expects of your fast!
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Do your best but refuse guilt/legalism. Do for love!
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Ask for accountability if needed!
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Rejoice: God’s loves gifts that cost us something!
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Use mealtime for prayer. Linger more with God. !
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Listen a lot. Meditate a lot. Let God direct your prayers

13. Expect
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The fortnight wages of heaven: Deeper relationship with God!
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A great beginning to your year!
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More victories, more joy & peace in God!
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More passion and maturity in your walk with God!
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More understanding of the value of fasting & prayer!
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More grace to help others encounter God