Good morning, family. Today, we’re talking about a practice that is as old as our faith itself, yet often misunderstood or overlooked - fasting. Now, don't start squirming in your seats just yet! I promise, by the end of this sermon, you'll see fasting in a whole new light. We're going to explore the purpose of fasting, the power of fasting, and the promises associated with fasting based on two specific scriptures: Daniel 9: 1-3 and Nehemiah 1:4.
Let's read them together, shall we?
In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. Daniel 9:1-3
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4
Can you see how Daniel and Nehemiah employed fasting as a means to seek God's intervention in their circumstances?
John Piper said it well: "Fasting is a physical exclamation point at the end of the sentence, 'I need you, God; I want you, God; I long for you, God; show me your glory, God!'"
Now, let's bow our heads and invite the Lord to guide us through this learning journey.
Lord, we come before You today with open hearts and minds. As we explore the practice of fasting, we pray that You would enlighten us, revealing its true purpose, power, and promise. May we gain a deeper understanding of this discipline and its relevance to our spiritual walk. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Alright folks, buckle up. Let’s dive into this fascinating topic together!
Fasting, as we see in the scriptures, is a spiritual discipline that has been practiced by believers throughout the ages. It's not just a religious ritual or a means to lose weight, but it has a profound purpose in our spiritual journey. The purpose of fasting is multifaceted, and it's crucial to understand these aspects to appreciate its significance in our faith walk.
Firstly, fasting is a means of expressing our dependence on God. When we fast, we are essentially saying, "Lord, I need you more than I need food." It's a way of acknowledging that our physical sustenance is not as important as our spiritual nourishment. We are saying, "God, you are the source of my life, and I depend on you for everything." Fasting is a tangible way of expressing this dependence, a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality.
Secondly, fasting is a way of seeking God's guidance and wisdom. In the scriptures, we see several instances where believers fasted when they were seeking God's direction. For example, in the book of Acts, the early church fasted and prayed before appointing elders (Acts 14:23). Fasting, in this context, is a way of humbling ourselves before God and seeking His will above our own. It's a way of saying, "God, I don't know what to do, but I trust that you do. Guide me."
Thirdly, fasting is a means of expressing our grief and repentance. In the Old Testament, the Israelites often fasted as a sign of mourning or repentance (1 Samuel 7:6). When we fast, we are expressing our sorrow for our sins and our desire to turn away from them. It's a way of saying, "God, I am sorry for my sins, and I want to change."
Fourthly, fasting is a way of intensifying our prayers. When we fast, our prayers are not necessarily more powerful, but they are more focused. Fasting helps us to concentrate on our prayers and to pray with more intensity. It's a way of saying, "God, I am serious about this prayer request, and I am willing to sacrifice my comfort to seek your face."
Fifthly, fasting is a means of expressing our longing for God's kingdom. When we fast, we are expressing our desire for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. It's a way of saying, "God, I am not satisfied with the status quo. I long for your kingdom to come."
In all these aspects, we see that the purpose of fasting is not merely to abstain from food but to express our spiritual desires and to seek God in a deeper way. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us to focus on God, to seek His face, and to express our spiritual desires.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that can help us draw closer to God, seek His guidance, and experience His power in our lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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