Prayer and Fasting

Week of Fast Jan 15 -21

Fasting and prayer are expected norms for christians; the information here is to help you through this fast and others to come.
Why do you fast?

Direction: Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them"
Deliverance: Isaiah 58:6 "Is this not the kind of fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?"
Intervention: 2 Sam 12: 15-17 "And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them."
Divine Favor and Protection: Esther 4:6 Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king, If I must die, I must die."

Types of Fast

A Regular Fast - Traditionally, a regular fast means refraining from eating all food. Most people still drink water or juice during a regular fast. When Jesus fasted in the desert, the Bible says, "After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry." This verse does not mention Jesus being thirsty.
A Partial Fast - This type of fast generally refers to omitting a specific meal from your diet or refraining from certain types of foods. Daniel 10:2-3 says, "At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over." In Daniel 1:12, they restricted their diet to vegetables and water: "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink."
A Full Fast - These fasts are complete - no food and no drink. Acts 9:9 describes when Paul went on a full fast for three days following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus: "For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything." Esther also called for this type of fast in Esther 4:15-16: "Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 'Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.'" It is recommended that this type of fast be done with extreme caution and not for extended periods of time.
A Sexual Fast - 1 Corinthians 7:3-6 says, "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

Prayer Focus

2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NIV)
14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

Ezekiel 22:30-31(NIV)30 “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. 31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declare the Sovereign Lord.”

STEP 1: Revival of the church begins with personal revival. It requires personal confession and cleansing from sin before interceding for the church.
Isa 59:1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
James 4:8 (NIV)Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Ps 19:12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

Forgiveness
Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in
Matthew 6:15(NIV)15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother or sister sins go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.16 but if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Step 2 2Chron 2:12-13 Pray for our New Church Home Building project.
Wisdom, favor and provision. Move in by Faith February 2018.
Step 3. Pray for the harvest.

How to fast successfully

1. Set Objective: Know why and what you are fasting for
2. Make your Commitment
a) What kind of fast you are doing
b) What physical of social activities you will restrict
c) How much time you will pray.
3. Prepare Yourself Spiritually
a) Ask the Holy Spirit to help
b) Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan will intensify the natural battle between the body and spirit.
4. Prepare Yourself Physical
Do not rush into your fast. Prepare your body. Eat smaller, avoid sugar, high fats and caffeine.

During the Fast

1. Limit your activities
2 Rest as much as you can
3 Prepare yourself for mental discomfort, such as crankiness,impatience and anxiety
4. Expect some physical discomfort,especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains and dizziness