Prayer and Fasting
Mt 6:7-13; 16-18
Yes there is a right way and wrong way to pray and fast according to God’s Word. Some of you may ask how to do it? Well I am going to go over it here today. Let’s look at some verses.
v7
And when you pray DO NOT use vain repetitions as the heathens do, for they think they will be heard for their many words.
V8
Therefore DO NOT be like them, for your Farther knows the things you have need of before you ask him.
That does not mean quit talking to Him for He is our Farther and we are his children. He wants to hear from us. Just like any father/parent wants to hear from their children. The next couple of verses are where Jesus teaches his disciples how to properly pray to the Father.
v9-13
In this manner, therefore pray:
Our Father who art in heaven
Hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us our daily bread
And forgive us our debts (Sins)
As we forgive those who sin against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from the evil one
For yours is the kingdom
and Power and the Glory
Now and forever, Amen
Now tell me that isn’t an awesome prayer. If you break it down it covers everything you need which as I said before He already knows. One of the main keys is forgiveness. He forgave us when he took our place on the Cross. All we need to do is ask Him for his forgiveness and believe in him, but we also need to forgive others who have wronged us in the past. We must also ask to have the people’s forgiveness of whom we wronged in the past. Now that is an important thing because if we don’t we are martyrs to the cause. And how can a Christian have a good life in Christ, Jesus if we have that hanging over our heads.
Fasting, to give something dear to you up for the Lord. Example is giving something up that you conceder especially important in your life. And let Him be first. Some people give up eating red meat or stop doing something. It is basically a sacrifice to the Lord.
Back in the Old Testament times when they fasted, it was done by all at a designated time. Why did they do it that way? Well basically it was because God commanded it. And who are we to question him.
In the New Testament times according to Jesus, we are to do this in private and not make it known or seen by others.
V16
But when you fast do not be like the hypocrites with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly I say to you that have their reward.
Boasting about it about what their sacrificing for Him isn’t good. This is a personal choice you make with the Lord so it needs to only be between Him and you.
v17-18
But you, when you fast you anoint your head and wash you face so that you do not appear to men to be fasting but to your Father who is in the secret place and your Father who sees it in secret will reward you openly.
See you are doing this for Him and not anyone else so what business is it to them that you are fasting? It’s not theirs at all. Doing it this way keeps your relationship with Him personal. And when you do this he shall bless you openly.
Back on verse 17. What it means when it says “They have their reward” What that means is when you show off like that, you’re not doing it for God’s Glory. You’re doing it for man’s. And which reward do you want. I know I want God’s Heavenly Blessing and Rewards. Amen.
So you see that praying and fasting are both a private affair between you and God. You need to remember this or your work will be in vain. Goad wants your relationship to be with him and only him for your benefit and He will make sure your rewards are made public for all to see but this is done at His time and not yours.
Prayer and fasting are both an important part of your walk with Christ. May the Lord be with you all.
Amen
