PRAYER AND FASTING

Prayer and fasting is defined as voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God. These two activities are combined and dedicated to God’s glory that they reach their full effectiveness. Having a dedicated time of prayer and fasting is not a way of manipulating God into doing what you desire. Rather, it is simply forcing yourself to focus and rely on God for the strength, provision, and wisdom you need.

Far too often, though, the focus of prayer and fasting is on abstaining from food. Instead, the purpose of Christian fasting should be to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus our thoughts on God.

Fasting should always be limited to a set time because not eating for extended periods can be damaging to the body. By taking our eyes off the things of this world through prayer and biblical fasting, we can focus better on Christ. Matthew 6:16-18

Spending time in prayer and fasting is not automatically effective in accomplishing the desires of those who fast. Fasting or no fasting, God only promises to answer our prayers when we ask according to His will. 1 John 5:14-15

In the prophet Isaiah’s time, the people grumbled that they had fasted, yet God did not answer in the way they wanted (Isaiah 58:3-4). Isaiah responded by proclaiming that the external show of fasting and prayer, without the proper heart attitude, was futile (Isaiah 58:5-9).

How can you know if you are praying and fasting according to God’s will? Are you praying and fasting for things that honor and glorify God? Does the Bible clearly reveal that it is God’s will for you?

If we are asking for something that is not honoring to God or not God’s will for our lives, God will not give what we ask for, whether we fast or not. How can we know God’s will? God promises to give us wisdom when we ask. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

2024 Consecration

Each year the Lord downloads a unique plan to Pastor Courtland for our corporate fast and we begin each year consecrating ourselves in prayer and fasting. Fasting in January is much like praying in the morning to establish the will of God for the entire day. When you give God your first through fasting, prayer and giving at the beginning of the year, you set the course for the entire year.

When we put God first in our lives, in our families, in our finances, in everything, we believe that He will bless and multiply those areas. If you are one of those people who sense that God has more for your life, we invite you to join us and go deeper in Him.

Biblical fasting takes a lot of discipline and strength—strength which you can only receive from God. Your private discipline will bring you rewards in Heaven, says Matthew 6.  We look forward to hearing about what God will do in our lives as we seek Him together.

Reaping an Abundant Harvest through Cultivating Faith

 
 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9
 
 
 
 

THE MODEL PRAYER

“Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name” — The prayer principles of adoration (praise for who God is) and thanksgiving (praise for what He has done).

“Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” — The principle of affirmation, that is, agreeing with God’s will and submitting to it.

“Give us this day our daily bread” — The principle of supplication, in which we make requests both for ourselves (petition) and for others (intercession).

“And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors” — The principle of confession in view of our need for forgiveness of sins.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” — The necessity of renewal as we face the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” — A closing prayer that honors the Lord and completes our thoughts.