Seeking God & His Righteouness Through Prayer & Fasting
This past Monday morning I was praying to God and meditating on what to share with you today this first Sunday of 2012. The Spirit brought this phrase from Matthew 6:33 to mind: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…"
The object of our seeking:
(1) The Kingdom of God and (2) His Righteousness.
The level of importance of this seeking: First; that means before and above anything else.
As I thought and meditated more on this verse I felt in my spirit that this should not only be the theme for today and these 21 days Season of Seeking but for all of 2012. So today I introduce this theme and Lord willing I will devote more time to it next Sunday. Today I spend the majority of our time talking about prayer and fasting.
Once again I am calling our church to 21 days of fasting and prayer beginning today, January 1 and continuing through January 21. I join with our General Overseer, Bishop Howard and our State Overseer, Bishop Davis who are also calling this movement to 21 days of Prayer & Fasting.
Psalms 42:1-3) As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, "Where is your God?" (NKJV)
I. One Holy Passion to Seek to Know God
A passion is a strong feeling, an emotion that is packed with intensity. At times it carries a sense of urgency.
Not all passions are holy. As fallen human beings we are often trapped in unholy passions. Our feelings are mixed. Then the Holy Spirit quickens us to a new life with new passions. But at times our affection for the things of God is locked in mortal conflict with earthly concerns.
One of the best ways we can conquer the passions that will lead us away from God is through Prayer and Fasting.
If we are to progress in godliness we need to fan the flames of a holy passion. We need a single-minded desire to seek God. This is what the 21 days of fasting and prayer helps us do. During these 21 days we must focus and be more attentive to our Lord and His Voice. It does make a difference when you accompany fasting with intensive prayer and seeking God.
We must follow Jesus who went before us. He was moved by a single passion--to do the will of His Father. His meat and drink were to do His Father's will. Zeal for His Father's house consumed Him. He was a man of holy destiny with a face set as a flint.
Jesus knew the Father. His knowledge of God was so deep, so profound that His entire earthly life reflected a single holy passion. As we know the Father in more depth we find that His will and desires become ours and we are passionate about doing His will. Jesus revealed the Father to us and called us to imitate His own pursuit. His priority is set before us - to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
We are to press into the Kingdom of God, to storm it if we must, to seize the opportunity to seek and know God. This quest is not casual. The pursuit is not careless. We are to be driven by a holy passion, "Oh that I might know Him." Prayer & Fasting helps us to realize this purpose.
II. What is Fasting?
Since there are so many misconceptions about it, I first want to clarify what fasting—biblical fasting—is not. Fasting is not merely going without food for a period of time—that is dieting. Fasting is not something done only by fanatics or religious monks. The practice of fasting is not limited to ministers or to special occasions.
Stated simply, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Fasting has always been a normal part of a relationship with God. As expressed by the impassioned plea of the Psalmist, fasting brings one into a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord.
When you eliminate food from your diet for a number of days, and accompany fasting with intensive prayer, your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God. As the Psalmist stated, "Deep calls unto deep" (Ps. 42:7).
The Psalmist was fasting. His hunger and thirst for God were greater than his natural desire for food. As a result, he reached a place where he could cry out from the depths of his spirit to the depths of God, even in the midst of his trial. Once you've experienced this kind of intimacy with our God and the countless rewards and blessings that follow, your whole perspective will change. You will soon realize that fasting is a secret source of power that is overlooked by many Christians.
Notice this scripture found in Ecclesiastes 4:12: A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
During the years that Jesus walked this earth, He devoted time to teaching His disciples the principles of the kingdom of God, principles that conflict with those of this world. In the Sermon on the Mount, specifically in Matthew 6:1-18, Jesus provided the pattern by which each of us is to live as a child of God.
That pattern addressed specific duties of a Christian: giving, praying, and fasting.
Jesus said:
- When you give…..
- When you pray….
- When you fast….
He made it clear that fasting, like giving and praying, was a normal part of the Christian life. Attention should be given to fasting as it given to giving and to praying.
Solomon, when writing the books of wisdom for Israel, made the point that a cord, or rope, braided with three strands is not easily broken. Likewise, when giving, praying, and fasting are practiced together in the life of a believer, it creates a type of threefold cord that is not easily broken. In fact, as I'll show you in a moment, Jesus took it even further by saying, "Nothing will be impossible" (Matt. 17:20)
Could we be missing our greatest breakthroughs if we fail to fast? Remember the thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold return Jesus spoke of in Mark 4:8, 20? Jentezen Franklin suggested in his book on fasting the following: Look at it this way: when you pray, you can release that thirtyfold return, but when both prayer and giving are part of your life, I believe that releases the sixtyfold blessing. But when all three—giving, praying, and fasting—are part of your life, that hundredfold return can be released!
If that is true, you have to wonder what blessings are not being released. What answers to prayer are not getting through? What bondages are not being broken if we fail to fast?
Matthew tells the story of a father who had a demon-possessed son. For years he watched helplessly as his son suffered with severe convulsions. As he grew older, the attacks became so severe that the boy would often throw himself into an open fire or trench of water. A suicidal spirit tormented him constantly; the situation became life-threatening.
Having exhausted every attempt to cure the boy—even taking him to the disciples with no avail—the father's plight seemed impossible. Then he heard that Jesus was near. Going to the Master, he cried,
(Matthew 17:15-16) "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. "So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." (NKJV)
When the boy was brought to Jesus, the Bible says in (Matthew 17:18) And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. (NKJV)
But what made the difference? After all, Matthew 10:1 records that Jesus had already given the disciples power to cast out evil spirits and to heal every disease. So why couldn't the disciples cast out the demon and cure the boy?
That's what the disciples wanted to know, too, so later that night, when they were alone with Jesus, they asked Him. (Matthew 17:20-21) So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." (NKJV)
Jesus let His disciples know that because of their unbelief they failed and told them that faith as a mustard seed will cause the impossible to become possible. But notice that little word, "However."
Prayer and Fasting are the key that unlocks our faith.
Long before this incident, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where He spent forty days and forty nights, taking no food. For Jesus, casting out that stubborn demon wasn't impossible.
If Jesus could have accomplished all that He came to do without fasting, why would He fast? The Son of God fasted because He knew there were supernatural things that could only be released that way. How much more should fasting be a common practice in our lives?
III. Fasting is for Every Christian
Perhaps you're thinking, "I still don't see the need for me to fast." According to the words of Jesus, it should be the practice of every believer to fast. When addressing the Pharisees as to why His disciples did not fast, Jesus replied….
(Luke 5:34-35) And He said to them, "Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? "But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days." (NKJV)
Then they will fast. Jesus didn't expect His disciples to do something He hadn't done as well. Jesus fasted, and according to the words of Peter, Jesus is our example in all things (1 Peter 2:21)
(Luke 6:40) "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. (NKJV)
There's another vital point that I want you to see in Matthew 6: God delights in giving rewards. Jesus says that when giving, praying, and fasting are practiced in your life with the right motives, He will "reward you openly."
A good example of such open reward can be found in Daniel. While in Babylonian captivity, his fasting—even partial fasting, eliminating certain foods—brought about the open reward of God, who blessed Daniel with wisdom beyond that of anyone else in that empire.
Later, in chapter 10, Daniel was grieved and burdened with the revelation he had received for Israel. He ate no choice breads or meats for three weeks. Then he describes the angel that was sent to him—which had been delayed by the prince of Persia for twenty-one days—with the answers Daniel sought. His fast broke the power of the evil prince of Persia and released the angels of God so that God's purposes could be revealed and served.
(Job 23:12) I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food. (NKJV)
God's Word is full of marvelous testimonies of those who had answers to prayer and supernatural inventions in conjunction with their fasting.
- It was during a forty-day fast that Moses received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:27-28).
- When Haman ordered the annihilation and plunder of all Jews, Esther called for all the Jews of her city to join her on a three-day fast from all food and water. As a result, the Jews were spared, Haman's vile plan was exposed, and he was hanged on the very gallows he built to hang Mordecai and the Jews(See Ester 4-7).
- Hannah, greatly distressed over not being able to bear a child, wept and did not eat," as recorded in 1 Samuel 1:7. God heard her plea, and the prophet Samuel was soon born.
- Judah, Ezra, the people of Nineveh, Nehemiah, David, and Anna are also among those whose fasts are noted in the Word along with many others.
IV. Types of Fasts
The Bible records many different circumstances, types, and lengths of fasts. In addition to those I just mentioned, Joshua fasted forty days, and Daniel partially fasted twenty-one days. It is recorded that the apostle Paul was in "fastings often." Peter fasted and of course we know that Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness.
There are four types of fasts: the absolute fast, the normal fast, the liquid fast and the partial fast.
- The Absolute Fast: In this fast you eat or drink nothing—no food or water. Depending on your health, this fast should only be attempted when explicitly directed by God and for no more than 3 days.
- The Normal Fast:
On a normal fast, you typically go without food of any kind for a certain number of days. You do drink water, and plenty of it! This was the type of fast Jesus was on during the 40 days in the wilderness. - The Liquid Fast: On this type of fast you eat no solid foods but you drink broth, juices, smoothies, etc., in order to maintain your strength. Basically you eat no solid foods.
- The Partial Fast: A partial fast can be interpreted many ways. The way it cannot be interpreted is to count the time between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.—when you're sleeping! A partial fast usually involves giving up particular foods and drink for an extended period of time.
The most commonly used example of a partial fast is found in the Book of Daniel. I mentioned this fast earlier. In the beginning of his captivity in Babylon, Daniel and his three companions refused to eat the choice meats and sweets from the king's table, asking instead to have only vegetables and water. They did this for ten days to prove that they would be just as healthy as the king's men.
Later, in chapter 10, grieved over the plight of Israel, Daniel began another partial fast, taking no pleasant food. Most likely this meant he ate no sweets or bread. The Bible says that along with that he ate no meat and he was focused in prayer. At the end, his prayer was answered by an angel.
The duration of fasts can vary. There are significant numbers we find in the Bible, which include three days, seven days, twenty-one days, and forty days. But there are also references to half-day fasts and twenty-four hour fasts.
As I mentioned earlier I'm requesting (along with our General and State Overseers) that you fast a period of twenty-one days. The type of fast is up to you. However, a "Daniel fast" of eliminating meat, bread, and sweets for twenty-one days is a fast that most in this room could participate in. Some may think eliminating only those three food groups from your diet for three weeks is no big deal. But if it means something to you, it will mean something to God. After all, when was the last time an angel were released to speak mysteries to you like the angel did to Daniel?
Last year, as like the year before, I ate no solid food for twenty-one days. I did drink juices and smoothies. You may wish to do a liquid fast along with me. You may also consider doing a least a Daniel fast which would be basically eating nothing but fruits and vegetables. That means you wouldn't eat any meat, breads or sweets. The type of fast you do is a decision between you and God but my prayer is that everyone in this room will in some way be engaged in prayer and fasting January 1-21.
V. Practical Tips
I want to give you a few tips on fasting that I believe you will find helpful. When you begin a fast, remember If it doesn't mean anything to you, it won't mean anything to God.
Also without being combined with prayer and the Word, fasting is little more than dieting. But also remember fasting itself is a continual prayer before God if you are fasting for spiritual purposes.
There may be days when heaven opens and your heart is prompted to deep times of prayer. But there will other days when your energy is sapped and you just cannot seem to focus in prayer at all.
Don't condemn yourself. God sees your sacrifice. Perhaps you may choose to watch less TV with all those food commercials and to spend more time in the Word, meditation, prayer and study.
When you begin your fast drink plenty of filtered or purified water. This will help to flush out the toxins and the poison out of your system, which will help you get off to a good start. Water is the faster's best friend, so continue to drink plenty throughout the fast.
You may have a headache for the first two or three days as your body rids itself of toxins. On a fast in which you eat no solid food it's like spring cleaning for your body! It gives your whole digestive system a break, and medically speaking is very healthy. Without eating any solid food the digestive system begins to shut down and to be honest it's not always pleasant. Some feel sluggish, can't sleep, are colder than usual and let's face it; you're going to get hungry.
But once you get through those first few days, and you drink plenty of water and/or juice, those toxins that poison your body will get flushed out, and you will find what can only be described as a sweet place in the fast!
VI. Physical Benefits of Fasting
In his book 101 Reasons to Fast,
Pastor Bob Rodgers cites many statements from Hippocrates and others who discovered the many medical benefits fasting can have on the body. Fasting cleanses your body. As you begin a normal fast, you will notice a sort of coating on your tongue for a few days. It is a sign that the fast is helping your body eliminate toxins.
Tests have proven that the average American consumes and assimilates four pounds of chemical preservatives, coloring, stabilizers, flavorings, and other additives each year. These build up in our bodies and cause illness and disease. Periodic fasts are necessary to flush out the poison. Fasting gives your body time to heal. It relieves nervousness and tension and gives your digestive system a rest. Fasting lowers your blood pressure and can lower your cholesterol.
Dr. Oda H.F. Birchinger, who supervised more than seventy thousand fasts, stated, "Fasting is a royal road to healing, for anyone who agrees to take it, for recovery and regeneration of the body, mind, and spirit. Fasting can heal and help rheumatism in the joints and muscles, diseases of the heart, circulation, blood vessels, stress-related exhaustion, skin diseases—including pimples and complexion problems, disease of respiratory organs, allergies such as hay fever and other eye diseases."
VII. Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
In many ways, fasting helps us focus on our primary goal. It trains our heart to turn away from the distractions of the world and press toward the reward before us. God promises that He will reward those who diligently seek Him:
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
What is the reward? Certainly, answered prayer is part of the reward. Supernatural peace, divine love and earthly blessings in a variety of forms all qualify as reward material. Scripture assures us that the greatest reward is the Lord himself.
Jesus is our gold medal at the end of the race. He is our reward, our portion in the land of the living.
During times of extended fasting and immediately after breaking a fast the fellowship with our Lord becomes so sweet.
Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
- His voice becomes clearer
- His Word comes alive
- His heart is revealed
- His people become more precious
- His presence becomes everything.
During times of great physical weakness of an extended fast one can identify with the Psalmist when he stated:
(Psalms 73:26) My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (NKJV)
Records and testimonies offered by those who have engaged in extended fasts include multitudes saved, hundreds baptized in the Spirit, blinded eyes have been opened, deaf ears unstopped, lame people have made to walk, church problems solved, financial miracles released and physical health restored, visions of angels and even visions of the Lord himself. Yet the greatest reward is experiencing His presence, His glory and His person. God's promises to Abram can be claimed as our own. He becomes our great reward.
(Genesis 15:1) After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." (NKJV)
The apostle Paul consistently made his relationship with Jesus Christ the focus of his journey and the goal of his spiritual race. Near the end of his life when the missionary journeys had ended, the moments of public oratory had ceased, and the exciting days of groundbreaking ministry were behind him, Paul was isolated in relative obscurity in a Roman prison. Paul was still in the race. With his eyes focused, he pressed forward not propelled toward his next preaching moment, but toward Jesus Christ. Paul knew that the real prize, the real gold medal at the end of life's race, was to know Jesus:
(Philippians 3:10-12) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (NKJV)
(Philippians 3:13-14) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
WILL YOU JOIN IN THIS GREAT PURSUIT TO SEEK GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS?
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