DEC.

8, 2019
PRAYER AND FASTING
Atomic power with God – Mt 17:21
I. PRAYER AND FASTING SHOULD BE COMBINED.
A. What is fasting?
Gr. nestoia – abstaining from food Lu 2:37; Acts 14:23. This does not include
abstinence from water. Note when Jesus fasted, He afterward “hungered,” but it does
not say he “thirsted.” Mt 4:1 When fasting a person should take in six glasses of water
per day to keep one’s system functioning smoothly.
Is it ever in order to abstain from liquid as well as food? Rarely, if ever. Moses and
Elijah went without food and water for 40 days Ex 24:18; I Ki 19:8; and Deut 9:9-25, but
these were exceptional fasts. In ordinary fasting we are not to refrain from liquid. Only,
if God clearly directs us, are we to go without water.
B. What are the Different Kinds of Fast in Scripture?
1. Normal fast. Lu 2:37; Acts 14:23; Mt 4:1 Going strictly without food. Does not
include going without sleep, or water. May include husbands and wives refraining
from marital relations I Cor 7:3-5, but it must be by the consent of both spouses.
2. Absolute Fast. Acts 9:9; Ez 4:16 Normally an absolute fast should not be more than
three days because a longer period might prove injurious to the body.
Where absolute fasts were practiced for longer, but they were of supernatural
character because of their length. The persons involved were kept alive by a miracle.
Deut 9:9,18; Ex 34:28; I Ki 19:8 This kind of fast recommended unless the person is
100% sure that God is calling him into this.
3. The Partial Fast. Dan 10:2,3 The emphasis here is upon restriction of diet rather than
complete abstention. The Partial Fast is of great value, especially where
circumstances make it possible or inconvenient to undertake a normal fast.
C. Is it Scripture to have Regular and Public Fastings?
II Chron 20:1-4; Ez 8:21-23; Jonah 3:5
Ans. Yes. There were at least five different days of public fasting in Israel. Lev
23:27; Acts 27:9; Zech 8:19
In the Bible all regular fasts were public, but not all public fasts were regular.
Whether there should be regular fasts, is at the option at the church. The point here is
that is does not degenerate into a ritual as in the case of the Pharisees. Lu 18:11,12 It is
very Scriptural to call a fast in case of a church problem, or any other emergency, local
or nation.
D. What are Different Lengths of Fasts in Scripture?
1. One day fast. An accepted day to the Lord Isa 58:6. Some fast from arising and do
not break the fast again until the next morning arising. Others fast from sundown to
sundown, or from supper to supper.
2. The Day of Atonement. One day fast to afflict the soul of Israel. Nu 29:7; Lev 28:27
3. A 3 day fast. Calvary fast. Est 4:1-16; Acts 9:9
4. A 7 day fast of David. II Sam 12:15-23
5. A 14 days fast Paul and others. Acts 27:9,21,33
6. A 21 day fast. For Revelation. Dan 10:1-3 No pleasant bread, nor flesh, nor wine,
neither anointed for this period. Dan 10:14
7. A 40 days fast. Prophet’s fast. Moses Ex 24:17-18; Deut 9:9-25; Joshua Ex 24:13-18;
32:15-17; Elijah I Ki 19:8; Jesus Lu 4:2
 CONTINUITION

E. What are Results of Prayer and Fasting? DEC. 15, 2019

1. Israel delivered from death under Esther. Est 4
2. Israel delivered out of Babylonian captivity. Dan 9:2-3
3. Israel restored to land under prayers and fasting of Ezra, Nehemiah, and the people
of Israel. Ezra 8:21-23; Neh 1:4

4. Revival through prayer and fasting. Acts 2:17; Joel 1:14; 2:12,14; 2:25-29; Acts
3;19,20
5. Deliverance. Mt 17:14-21; Mk 9:29
6. Elders ordained. Acts 14:23
7. Guidance. Acts 9:9-15
8. Missionaries. Acts 13:1-4
II. ARE THERE RIGHT AND WRONG FASTS? Mt 6:16-18; Isa 58:3-12
Yes, there are a number of Scriptural guidelines instructing believers how to
maintain a right attitude in prayers and fastings.
A. Wrong Fasts
1. Fasting to be seen of men Mt 6:16-18
2. Fasting to find pleasure Isa 58:3.
3. Oppressing labourers Isa 58:3
4. Fasting for strife Isa 58:4
5. Debate Isa 58:4
6. Smile with the peace of wickedness Isa 58:4
7. To make your voice to be heard on high Isa 58:4
8. Putting forth thy finger Isa 58:9
9. Speaking vanity Isa 58:9.
B. Right Fasts
1. Pray and fast as unto God alone Mt 6:16-18
2. Afflict one’s soul Isa 58:5
3. Bow down one’s head Isa 58:5 (humble oneself); spread sackcloth and ashes.
4. Loose the bands of wickedness Isa 58:6
5. Undo heavy burdens Isa 58:6
6. Let the oppressed go free Isa 58:6
7. Break every yoke Isa 58:6
8. Deal thy bread to the hungry Isa 58:6
9. Bring the poor into thy house Isa 58:6
10.Cover the naked Isa 58:9
11.Hide not from thy own flesh Isa 58:6 (do what is right even when it is a great
sacrifice to you)
12.Call on the Lord Isa 58:9
13.Draw out thy soul to the hungry Isa 58:10