God’s Call to Fast and Pray:

Matthew 6:5-8
 
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites.
For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the
street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say
to you, they have received their reward.

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door
6 

and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father

who sees in secret will reward you.
 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the
7 

Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their
many words.

8 
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need
before you ask him.
 
Matthew 6:16-18
16 
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the
hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting
may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have
received their reward.

17 
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your

18 

Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret

will reward you.
God’s Call to Fast and Pray:

“When you pray” not “if you pray” Matthew 6:5.

“When you fast” not “If you fast” Matthew 6:16.

“The combination of fasting and praying is not a fad
or a novelty approach to spiritual discipline.
Fasting and praying are not the means to
manipulate a situation or create a circumstance.
Fasting and praying are Bible-based disciplines that
are appropriate for all believers of all ages
throughout all centuries in all parts of the world.”
“
The Power of PRAYER and Fasting” Marilyn
Hickey
The disciples were taught about the acts of righteousness
to be seen before men.
Jesus covered three areas:

In Giving (6:1-4)

In Praying (6:5-8)

In Fasting (6:16-18)
Jesus expects us to fast and pray.

The Bible also gives us examples of people who

fasted and prayed, using different types of fasts for
different reasons, all of which have very positive
results.
Understanding Fasting:
What is fasting?

Understanding the various types of fasts in the Bible.

How long should we fast?

Why should we fast?

The tremendous power and strength as a result of

fasting.
What is fasting?
The biblical meaning is the abstinence of the
consumption or the intake of foods or drinks.

The Hebrew translation would be “not to eat.”

The literal Greek means “No Food.”

Understanding the various types of fasts
in the Bible:

The Daniel Fast

The Partial Fast
The Complete or Full Fast
How long should we fast:
Most important is to seek the Lord.

Ask the Lord to confirm His call to fast and pray.

Ask the Lord to reveal to you the things you should

expect as you fast and pray.

Ask the Lord to show you how many days He wants you
to fast.
How long should we fast:
Daniel for 10 days (Daniel 1:12) and 21 days (Daniel
10:12-13 = 21 days)

Esther for 3 days (Esther 4:16)

Jesus for 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2)

Moses for 40 days and nights (Exodus 34:28)

Elijah for 40 days and nights (1 Kings 19:8)

How long should we fast?
Three examples of a Prolonged Fast:

Moses the Law giver.

Elijah the prophet.
Jesus the Messiah.
Why should we fast?

It’s humbling of self.

To be cleansed and to be purified.

To be broken before Him.

To have an intimate relationship with God.

The tremendous power and strength as
a result of fasting.

A Turning Point for God’s intervention in your life.

A Personal Victory.

A Profound Change in life.