Jul 25 2008
Bible Study Guide Week 20 - The Power of Prayer and Fasting
Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson
This lesson will guide the participants to know the power of combining fasting with prayer. Many spiritual battles are overcome by prayer and fasting. Fasting in the life of a Christian can be compared to the oil in a vehicle; the vehicle needs fuel to move, but it also needs oil to make the engine run smoothly.
Lesson Objective:
This lesson will guide the participants to:
- Understand the power of fasting during prayer
- Understand why, when and how we should fast
- Understand the rules of pre- fasting and breaking a fast
Introduction
In this on-going series on spiritual warfare, we have been carefully examining the six pieces of the armor and each of their functions in spiritual warfare according to Eph 6:11-17Eph 6:11-17
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].
13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one].
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
. In Ephesians 6:18Ephesians 6:18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
Paul gives a final admonition concerning spiritual warfare to the Ephesians saying “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication . . .”
As we already dealt with praying in the Spirit in previous lessons, today we begin a new series on prayer and fasting as we look into this final admonition by the Apostle Paul. How can we as Christians watch (pray) with all perseverance and supplication?
Begin Today’s Lesson by reading: Jonah 3:1-10Jonah 3:1-10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3
1 And the word of Jehovah came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of Jehovah. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city, of three days' journey.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 And the tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he made proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water;
8 but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and beast, and let them cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands.
9 Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not.
, Mark 14:32-41Mark 14:32-41
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
32 And they come unto a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I pray.
33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled.
34 And he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: abide ye here, and watch.
35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.
36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what thou wilt.
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest thou not watch one hour?
38 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
39 And again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words.
40 And again he came, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they knew not what to answer him.
41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough; the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
and Matt 6:16-18Matt 6:16-18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
18 that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.
The Agony of Fasting
Fasting is one of the hardest things for a Christian to do yet those who have experienced fasting know it is a very powerful weapon in the hands of the righteous. David understood very well the struggles of fasting when he wrote and said “My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. (Psa 109:24Psa 109:24
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
24 My knees are weak through fasting; And my flesh faileth of fatness.
).
Although fasting is one of the most powerful tools in Christianity it is the most neglected spiritual practice. Fasting requires one to be spiritually mature and disciplined and it also requires one to prepare spiritually and physically no matter how short or long it may be. Firstly, we should examine our hearts, and detect any un-confessed sin. The Bible teaches that we should repent our sins before God will hear our prayers. In our prayers of confession we should confess the sins of omission as well as the sins of commission that we may have done.
Although fasting is mainly a spiritual exercise, it begins with the physical and it is important to “wean” our bodies slowly for two or three days before the actual fast. Weaning means cutting down on some foods to ease the hunger or discomfort that may be experienced during the early stages of fasting. Such foods include sugar and caffeine products. However, fasting is not simply going without food, but a time to take our eyes off the physical, and concentrate on the spiritual.
When you look at the life of Daniel, you will notice that he was not a person who indulged in rich foods. Daniel was a man who could therefore fast for 21 days. True spiritual fasting is a time of personal revival and centering your total being on God. Mealtimes can be transformed into special occasions to read the word of God and pray for yourself, your family, your church, and the saints and your nation plus any other needs that one may be having.
Next week we will continue by looking into motives of fasting and how Christians can fast effectively and persevere in prayer and fasting.
Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 20
- In your own words please explain Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 6:18Ephesians 6:18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and whether it can apply to you as a Christian today? . . . . . .. . . . . . - When you read Jonah 3:1-10Jonah 3:1-10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 1 And the word of Jehovah came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of Jehovah. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city, of three days' journey. 4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. 6 And the tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he made proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water; 8 but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and beast, and let them cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not. who do you think should be involved in fasting? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - Jesus speaking about fasting in Matt 6:16Matt 6:16
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. said “Moreover WHEN you fast” he did not say “IF” you fast, therefore would you say Jesus gave us an option for fasting? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - What is the main lesson that Jesus taught us about fasting in Matthew 6:16-18Matthew 6:16-18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; 18 that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee. ?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - Do you think people should know that you are fasting? Why? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - Please explain how you believe fasting helps in spiritual warfare according to Eph 6:18Eph 6:18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, . Please give examples from your own experience or from people in the Bible.……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- What would you say is the main reason why we should fast? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- How should we approach a fast in regards to our sinful nature as we seek God? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Luke 22:44Luke 22:44
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.
; Sweat Drops of Blood
“. . . and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to ground…”
Our Lord and Savior Jesus persevered with sweat drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane for our sake, may this help us to persevere as we fast and pray also for others.
Amen
Tags: Bible study, Bible study guide, fasting, prayer, spiritual warfare
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