MESSAGE

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE POWER OF FASTING AND PRAYERS
TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 20:1-7,13-17, 21-24; ISAIAH 58:1-14; JOEL 2:15-29; Zechariah 8:18-23; Matthew 6:16-21.
WHAT IS FASTING?
Fasting simply means a deliberate abstinence from food and other forms of pleasures for a given period of time in order to pray and seek the face of God for a particular need or problem.
WHY FASTING?

1. We engage in fasting in obedience to God’s word. It is a commandment from God. Isa. 58:3-6; Matt. 6:16.
2. Fasting is necessary in order to put our flesh under and allow our spirit man to be sensitive and in-tune to God. Rom. 8:13, 14; Col.3:5.
3. Fasting will help you to be focused on God and avoid other distractions in the place of prayers. Acts 10:9-16.
4. Our Lord Jesus Christ fasted often. So as believers we need to follow His footsteps. Matt.4:1-11.
5. The Apostles and Disciples also fasted in different occasions. Acts 13:1-3.
6. Fasting is also needed in order to deal with some stubborn and unyielding forces and challenges of life. Esther 4:15-17; Isa.58:6.
7. We fast to humble and chasten our souls before God. Psalm 9:10, 35:13.
8. Fasting is also needed to give the digestive system a rest. Fasting is therapeutic for the body system. Luke 5:33-35.
9. We need fasting in order to enhance an effectual and fervent prayers. Matt. 17:14-21; James 5:16-18.
10. Another reason for fasting is to pull down strongholds of the enemy. 2 Cor. 10:3-5.

DO’S AND DON’TS OF FASTING
A. DO’S OF FASTING

1. Abstain from food and other forms of pleasures. Jonah 3:1-9
2. Anoint your head and cream your face so as not to announce yourself that you are fasting. Matt. 6:17-18.
3. Spend quality time to study the Bible and pray. If you are very busy with your work schedule, you can fast at weekends. Acts 13:1-4.
4. Take water regularly if it is a long fast.
5. Have a goal or objective for fasting. You must determine the reason(s) why you want to fast and pray.
6. Spend a good time to praise and worship God during the fasting.
7. Decide on the time you want to spend for the fasting.
8. When breaking the fast, use water (maybe warm) or you can eat fruits that are not acidic.
9. Eat food slowly and in small bits when breaking the fast. Avoid solid food in breaking the fast.
10. Wash your mouth and let a good breath come out of your mouth.
11. Be merciful and forgiving so that God can also forgive you and grant your prayer requests. Mark 11:25-26.
12. Get scriptures to back your prayer requests. Hosea 14:1-2; 1 John 5:14-15.

DON’TS OF FASTING

1. Don’t just run into fasting without any objective in mind just because other people are fasting.
2. Don’t move close to food and any area where food is prepared in order to avoid temptation.
3. Don’t make your countenance announce you that you are fasting. Matt. 6:16-18.
4. Don’t use your mouth to announce it either.
5. Don’t engage in any argument or quarrel that can lead to fighting. Isa.58:4.
6. Don’t fast when you won’t have time to study and pray.
7. Don’t live for yourself, and don’t oppress when you are fasting.
8. Don’t eat solid and excessive food when you are breaking the fast.
9. Don’t fix your eyes on the clock in order to see if the time to break is close.

BENEFITS OF FASTING
Your voice will be heard by God and your prayers will be answered. Isa. 58:4.
Your fasting will bring about deliverance to the oppressed . Isa. 58:16. Yokes shall be destroyed.
Your light will break forth like the dawn. Isa 58:8.
You will enjoy sound and perfect health and healing. Isa 58:8.
You will walk in righteousness and covered by God’s glory. Isa. 58:8.
Your light will rise in darkness or obscurity.; and your night will become like a noon day. Isa. 58:10.
You will also enjoy perfect divine guidance. Isa. 58:11.
Abundance and prosperity will also be your experience even in the midst of famine or adversity. Isa. 58:11.
God will use you as a restorer of lives and destinies. Isa. 58:11.
You will also become a raiser of foundations of many generations. Isa. 58:12.
God will make you to ride upon the high places of the earth. Isa. 58:14.
God will feed you with the inheritan ce of Jacob; and you will also become a covenant carrier. Isa. 58:14.
You will eat in plenty and be satisfied. Joel 2:26.
God will do a new thing in your life as the evidence of fasting. Joel 2:21.
You will no more be a reproach in the sight of the people. Joel 2:19.
All your enemies will be driven away from you. You will be a terror to your enemies. Joel 2:20.
Your business/job and endeavors will be fruitful and prosperous. Joel 2:22.
God will send rain to your land. You will no longer experience drought or scarcity. Joel 2:23.
All your wasted years shall be restored. Everything the enemies has taken away from you shall be restored. Joel 2:24.
You will no longer be ashamed in your life. Instead of shame, glory and honour will be your testimony. Joel 2:26-27.
Joy, gladness and joyful feasts are the byproducts of fasting and prayers. Zech.8:19.
Calamity, destruction and God’s judgement are averted through fasting and prayers. Jonah 3:1-10.
Safety and journey mercies are enhanced by the reason of fasting. Ezra 8:21-23, 31-32.
Through fasting, God will also deliver us from our strong enemies and intimidating warfare against us. 2 Chron. 20:1-