Prayer
6.FastingandPrayer
Matthew17:21"Howbeitthiskindgoethnot outbutbyprayerandfasting."
Meaning:Jesusisspeakinginourtextinanswer towhythedisciplescouldnotcastadeviloutofa boy.Jesussaidthatkindofmiraclecanonly happenifabelievingindividualwillfastandpray.
Fastingistheactofabstainingfromfoodforthe purposeofgettingananswerfromGod.Isaiah58 givesthebestdescriptionandpurposeoffasting.
Application:OurfastingshouldappeartoGodnotto men.TheBiblepromisesthat"...thyFather,which seethinsecret,shallrewardtheeopenly"(Matthew 6:18).FastingcausesustodietoselfandshowsGod thatweareseriousaboutourrequest.Examplesof thosewhofastedandreceivedanswersfromGodare Moses,Daniel,Jonah,Elijah,andJesus.Fastingisnot justforleaders,butforeveryChristian.Jesussaid, "butthedayswillcome,whenthebridegroomshall betakenfromthem,andthenshalltheyfast" (Matthew9:15).Wearelivinginthatdaynow.
OtherVersesforStudy:Psalm35:13;Isaiah58:1-14; Daniel9:3;Joel2:12;Matthew6:16-18;Mark9:29
1.Whatisfasting?_________________________________
2.Whatpassagegivesthebestdescriptionoffasting?
3.Whoshouldfast?