Understanding the Blessedness of Prayer & Fasting - Part 2

Prayer and fasting still remains the force through which certain kinds of afflictions give way. Matthew 17:21. When we pray and fast, we must remember our fasting is not to change God but essentially to empower us to take command of things.

That is why our teaching series for this month of January 2016 is captioned, "Understanding the Blessedness of Prayer and Fasting".

We must note that it is not just enough to fast, but what we do when fasting is much more important than the length of the fast itself. That is why we must understand the profitable approach to fasting in order to avoid being engrossed in mere religious hunger strike.

According the Isaiah 58:6, there are specific benefits why fasting is commanded among which includes; to undo the heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free, breaking of yokes, breaking forth of light, springing forth of health speedily. As we look at the following profitable approach to fasting, may all these benefits find practical manifestation in your life in Jesus name.

PROFITABLE APPROACH TO FASTING

1. Engage in Kingdom-promotion prayers. 

    For fasting to yield its maximum returns, we must not just engage in prayers for our own needs alone but we must put the kingdom first according to Matthew 6:33. This is the master key to having our own needs met. What specific kingdom promotion prayers can we pray?

·   We must pray the Holy Spirit to mobilize men and women into our local assemblies as He did in the upper room – Acts 2:2/6

·  We must pray for signs and wonders which will lead to supernatural church growth – John 4:48, Acts 5:12/14/ Acts 9:34-35

·  We must pray for new converts to be established in the faith – Colossians 4:12/ Galatians 4:19

·  We must pray for continuous flow of revelation for the ministers – 2 Thess. 3:6/ Ephesians 6:19

·  We must also praying for other brethren for God to turns their challenges to testimonies – Philippians 1:19/ Ps. 23:6

2. We must come thanking, praising and worshipping

Prayer in the kingdom has protocols. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, He told them, "Hallowed Be Thy Name". This is an art or worship and it is perhaps one of the fundamental reasons for many unanswered prayers: lack of gratitude and worship to God. Our countenance in fasting should not be sorrowful but of praise and worship. Psalm 100:4/ Matthew 6:6-9, 16-19

3. We must come boldly and not beggarly

As bonafide children of God, we must come before God with boldness and not beggarly for our voices to be heard. Hebrew 4:16. Esther and Nehemiah went boldly before the King after a fast even though it was against the law and they both had their requests granted. Esther 4:16; 5:1-2, 7; Nehemiah. 1:4, 2:3-5.

4. Engage the force of faith:

It is faith-filled prayer that guarantees answers. As we fast, we must ensure our prayers are faith-filled. – Matthew 21:21-22. How?

     - The force of faith thinks the unthinkable as in Abraham. Rom. 4:19-20

     ­- The force of faith expects the unexpectable as in Noah. Hebr. 11:7, 2 Kings 7:18-19

     - The force of faith speaks the unspeakable as the 3 Hebrew boys. Daniel 3:17

     - The force of Faith dares the undareable as Daniel. Daniel 6:16

     - The force of faith conquers the unconquerable like Moses. Exo. 14:21-22

     - The force of faith achieves the unachievable like Gideon. Hebrews 11:33

BLESSEDNESS OF FASTING

·   Empowers us for dominion – Isaiah 58:6/ Luke 4:14/37

·   Engenders access to Revelations - 2 Corinthians. 4:4

·   Guarantees access to our high places in life – Isaiah 58:6/14; Matthew 5:13-15

·   Empowers fulfillment of prophecy – 1 Timothy 1:18

·   Enhances our access to visions and divine directions, thereby launching us into realms of greater glory –Isaiah 48:17/21/ Psalm 23:1-6 

The truth is that the greater glory will be by God Himself leading us to what to do and it is fasting that enforces divine guidance. 

Among others, that is what the Mystery of the Holy Communion does;

- Strength. 1 Kings 19:7-8, John 6:48-51

- Opening of understanding. Luke 24:30-31, 43-45

- Positive experiences. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

To accept Jesus Christ into your life, please pray this  ‘salvation prayer’ with me;

Father, I thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die for my sins and rise from the dead so that I can know Your forgiveness and live with You forever. Right now I ask Jesus Christ to be my Saviour so I can live as the special creation that You intended. Thank you Lord for saving me, in Jesus name. Amen.

Congratulations! You are now saved.

To share your thoughts and experience with me, please email me at, Emmanuel.Odedeyi@winners-chapel.org.uk or visit our website; www.winnerschapelleeds.org.uk