Fasting – Part 1

December 2, 2012

Hungering for God

“Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Matthew 6:3-4

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 6:5-6

Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your 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 in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 6:16-18

“And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:12

What Is Fasting?

Period of abstaining from food+

Change in foods eaten

What Is Fasting?

Fast of Advent – 43 daysFast of Ninevah – 3 daysFast of Lent – 55 daysFast of the Apostles – variable (18 days in

2013)Fast of the Virgin – 15 daysEvery Wednesday & Friday – a lot of days!

Coptic Fasts

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

Why Should I Fast?

“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your 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 in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:17-18

Why Should I Fast?

Fasting will be rewarded openly

“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.”

Matthew 17:15-16

“And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

Matthew 17:18-19

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.”

Matthew 17:20-21

What might you be

missing out on?

“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Mark 14:38

Fasting makes me hunger for God

How Shouldn’t I Fast?

Do not use fasting as a replacement for relationship

How Shouldn’t I Fast?

Do not use fasting as a replacement for relationship

Do not use fasting to try to bribe God

How Shouldn’t I Fast?

Do not use fasting as a replacement for relationship

Do not use fasting to try to bribe God

Do not neglect the greater commandment to love

How Shouldn’t I Fast?

Do start small

Do start with prayer

Do start NOW!

How Should I Fast?

“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.” Psalm 42:1-2