Prayer & Fasting (English Manual)

8/15/2019 Prayer & Fasting (English Manual)

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2/20

1. Jesus fasted.1Ten Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.2 And afer asting orty days and orty nights, he was hungry.

MAHEW 4:1,2

And Jesus returned in the power o the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him wentout through all the surrounding country.

LUKE 4:14

Beore He began His ministry, Jesus asted orty days. He knew He was going toneed spiritual strength to ulfill His purposes. Fasting makes us physically weak butspiritually strong and prepares us to do God’s work.

2. Fasting is an act of humility and consecration.. . . I wore sackcloth; I afflicted mysel with asting; I prayed with head bowed onmy chest.

PSALM 35:13

Humility results in the grace o God. When we humble ourselves in prayer, we haveinstant access to the heart o God. As we deny ourselves as an act o consecration,we are better able to exercise sel-control. We can keep our emotions and desiresunder control.

3. Fasting helps us become sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

While they were worshiping the Lord and asting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart or meBarnabas and Saul or the work to which I have called them.”

ACS 13:2

When we deny ourselves o our natural cravings, our spiritual antennas becomesharper. We become more sensitive to His voice as we divest ourselves o worldlydistractions. We are better able to ocus on God and submit to His will. Tis opensthe door or the Holy Spirit into our lives.

4. Fasting brings revival.. . . 2in the first year o his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number o yearsthat, according to the word o the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass beore theend o the desolations o Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. 3Ten I turned my ace tothe Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas or mercy with asting and sackclothand ashes.

DANIEL 9:2,3

Fasting helps us prevail in prayer and intercession. Daniel understood that Israel

was headed or destruction. He also knew that in times like these, there is only onerecourse—intercession through praying and asting. Troughout human history,God has brought revival and delivered nations rom destruction in response toprayer and asting.

5. Fasting is healthy.Fasting cleanses your digestive system rom toxins. Doctors consider asting a cureor certain allergies and diseases. By learning to deny ourselves and exercising

discipline, asting breaks unhealthy addictions in our lives.


3/20

Preparing to Fast“Go, gather all the Jews to be ound in Susa,and hold a ast on my behal, and do noteat or drink or three days, night or day. Iand my young women will also ast as you

do. Ten I will go to the king, though it isagainst the law, and i I perish, I perish.”

ESHER 4:16

1. Be in faith!Prayerully and thoughtully fill out the prayer points page o this guide. Ask the

Holy Spirit or guidance. Be clear and specific about your aith goals in your personallie, amily, finances, and church. Tese are what you will be believing God orduring the ast and the entire year. Expect God to answer. Maintain a thankul heartthroughout and afer the ast.

2. Commit to a type of fast.We encourage everyone to commit to a “water only” or “liquid ast” during thisseason o prayer and asting. However, we understand that some are unable to doso because o certain circumstances, such as pregnancy, a physically demandingproession, and medical conditions. I you belong to this category, there arealternatives—you may choose to do a combination ast. You may do a liquid ast ortwo days and then a one-meal-a-day ast or the next three, or example, or any othercombination according to your need or situation. Pray about the kind o ast you willundertake and commit to it. Do not decide on a day-to-day basis. Commit beore theast and be determined. Ask God or grace.

3. Plan your calendar.

Limit your physical and social activities during this period. You need to conservephysical energy and devote more time to prayer and reading the Bible.

4. Prepare spiritually.More than anything, our annual ast is a time when we believe God or a reshencounter with Him. Be prepared to have the Holy Spirit put His finger on an area inyour lie that needs to change. Repentance is the oundation o prayer and asting. Beready to repent and change, and be transormed. Surrender everything to Him. Be

completely open.

5. Prepare physically.Be smart as you enter into this ast. Do not go to a buffet restaurant on the eve o theast, hoping to stock up on ood in your body. Te key is to gradually prepare yourbody. Start eating smaller portions and meals seven days beore you begin your ast.Avoid ood that is high in sugar and at. wo days prior to the ast, eat raw ruit and

vegetables only. Consult a physician i you need to.

“Fasting reduces the power o sel

so that the Holy Spirit can do a more

intense work within us.”

~ BILL BRIGH


4/20

During the Fast16 “And when you ast, do not look gloomylike the hypocrites, or they disfiguretheir aces that their asting may be seenby others. ruly, I say to you, they have

received their reward. 17 But when you ast,anoint your head and wash your ace,18that your asting may not be seen byothers but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret willreward you.”

MAHEW 6:1618

“Te record o the whole Bibleindicates that prayer and asting

combined constitute the strongestweapon committed to God’s believers.”

~ DR. MARY RUH SWOPE

1. Seek the Lord.Commit to prayer and Bible reading the times you usually allocate or meals. Join atleast one prayer meeting in your local church. Tere will be daily prayer meetingsscheduled in every local church throughout the ast. Call the nearest church or theirschedule. Be ready to respond when you hear rom God.

Tis guide also has a devotional that we encourage you to go through during the ast.

2. Commit to change.Whatever God tells you or puts His finger upon, apply it immediately. I you need tomake restitution, immediately contact people you have broken relationships with.I there are habits that need to change, make the adjustment immediately. Ask yourgroup leader to hold you accountable.

3. Practical tips• Avoid medical and even natural herbal drugs. However, if you are under

medication, these should only be withdrawn upon the advice o your doctor.• Limit your physical activity and exercise. If you have a workout routine, adjust it

accordingly. A daily two to five kilometer walk should be your maximum amounto exercise during an extended ast.

• Rest as much as you can.

• Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout the day. Intercede for your family,pastors, church, nation, our missionaries, world missions, etc.

• Drink plenty of clean water.

• As your body adjusts, be prepared for temporary bouts of physical weakness aswell as mental annoyances like impatience, irritability, and anxiety.


5/20

Breaking the Fast

Conclusion

And when they had appointed elders orthem in every church, with prayer and asting they committed them to the Lord inwhom they had believed.

ACS 14:23

Now to him who is able to do ar more abundantly than all that we ask or think, accordingto the power at work within us . . .

EPHESIANS 3:20

Our annual prayer and asting gives us the opportunity to realign our lives according

to His will and consecrate the coming year to Him. As we humble ourselves corporately

to Him in prayer, we can expect Him to move mightily in our midst. God’s will is or allo us to experience breakthrough and victory in our lives. Be in aith or God to move

miraculously in your lie this year beyond what you can ask or imagine. You have a

resh mandate. Be ready to accomplish greater things or God this year!

“I our asting is not unto God, wehave ailed. Physical benefits, successin prayer, the enduring with power,spiritual insights—these must never

replace God as the center o our asting.”

~ RICHARD FOSER

1. Reintroduce solid food gradually.You should break your ast the same way you prepared or it. It will take your body

just as many days you asted to adjust to a normal diet. Begin eating gradually. Don’teat solid ood immediately afer your ast. Start with ruits, juices, and salad. Ten,you can begin adding vegetables and boiled potato. ake it slowly rom there. Eatsmall portions spread throughout the day.

2. Continue praying.Don’t let your prayer lie end on the day you finish the ast. Build rom themomentum you gained during the ast. Let it transorm your prayer and devotionallie. Carry the newound passion with you throughout the year.

3. Be expectant.Be in aith and believe God to answer your prayers soon! Don’t give up, persevere inprayer even i you don’t see the answers immediately. Make sure you keep the copyo your prayer points. You can check it at the end o the year and see how God hasanswered your prayers. It can be your thanksgiving list at the end o the year.


6/20

Preparation for the Fast

What does it mean to Honor God?“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory

and honor and power, or you created all things,and by your will they existed and were created.”

REVELAION 4:11

What is the purpose o lie? Why do we exist? God was pleased tocreate us or His own glory and honor. I we are called by His name,we are to live to give Him honor and glory.

What does it mean to honor God? Te word “honor” (doxa in Greek) originally

means value, esteem o the highest degree, dignity. When we give honor to God,we are giving Him the precious value and reverence that He deserves. It shouldreflect in everything we do and say.

It is not enough to merely honor God outwardly. God desires honor that comesrom our hearts. Te Lord said, through the prophet Isaiah, that some peoplehonor God with their lips, but their hearts are ar rom Him (Isaiah 29:13).

o honor God means to worship Him with all o our hearts, to acknowledgeHis absolute power and authority, to surrender our lives completely to Him, andto pledge our total allegiance to His command and will. When we honor otherpersons, we speak highly o their achievements, but when we honor God, it isnot just or what He has done—it is or who He is.

Isaiah 43:1-7 • Revelation 4:9-11 • Matthew 15:1-9 • Psalm 86:10-12

“Man’s chie end is to gloriy God,and to enjoy him orever.”

~Westminster Catechism

READ


7/20

Based on Matthew 15:1-9, why did Jesus say that the religious leaders ailed tohonor God? How do you think a person’s heart can be ar rom or close to God?

In Psalm 86:10-12, how did the Psalmist honor God? What do you think itmeans to honor God? How can you give God the value, esteem, and reverencedue Him?

What do you believe is your purpose in lie? Why did God make you, and whatdid He make you or?

Would you say that your lie is giving honor, glory, and pleasure to God? Howcan you honor God in your lie every day?

REFLECT

RESPOND


8/20

1DAY Honor God’s Name“You shall not take the name o the Lord your God in vain, or the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” DEUERONOMY 5:11G

od commanded His people not to take His name in vain. MisusingGod’s name expresses disrespect or Him because the name o the Lordrepresents the person and nature o God. Instead, as God’s people, we

are exhorted to honor and respect Him through our every word. As Jesus taughtHis disciples to pray, we are to hallow the name o the Father (Matthew 6:9).

Tat means we are to give God the highest and greatest honor in our lives.

As God’s children, we are orbidden rom misusing, mistreating, and abusingGod’s name and character. Tis includes swearing alsely (Matthew 5:33-37).Tis sin involves lying but using God’s name in trying to validate what one isclaiming to be true. All o our conversation should be honest and nothypocritical. Tis commandment should affect what is in our hearts, as well

as how we behave and how we speak.

Here is David’s prayer about honoring God through his words and lie:

Exodus 20:24 • Malachi 3:16 • Matthew 5:33-37

Ephesians 4:15,25,29 • Colossians 3:8,9; 4:6

May the words o my mouth and the meditation o

my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rockand my Redeemer.

~PSALM 19:14

READ


9/20

What are God’s promises or those who honor His name?Malachi 3:16

Exodus 20:24

Based on the ollowing verses, how are we to honor God with our words

and speech?Ephesians 4:15,25,29

Colossians 3:8,9; 4:6

Make an honest assessment o the words that come out o your mouth. Repento any negative, pessimistic, deceptive, or discouraging words or curses you

may have spoken. Ask the Lord to give you the grace to speak words that will betruthul, ediying, and gracious so that your words will honor God.

How can you speak the truth in love? What’s one thing you should stop doingand one thing you should start doing to honor God with your words andspeech?

REFLECT

RESPOND


10/20

2DAY Honor Godwith our Worship“Tose who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and tothe blameless I will show my salvation.” PSALM 50:23 NIV 1984Psalm 96 • Psalm 116:16-18 • John 4:23,24

1 Timothy 1:17 • Hebrews 10:19-23

Psalm 50 is a psalm written by Asaph, one o David’s chie musicians.God declares that the man or woman who offers thanksgiving and praisebrings honor and glory to Him.

Te English word “worship” comes rom an old Anglo-Saxon word, weorthscipe

(i.e., worth ship). It is the recognition o and a response to the worth o God.When we value the worth o people, we usually do something to demonstratetheir worth. Psalm 96:8 says, Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bringan offering and come into his courts. Tose who value the LORD will bring praise

offerings to Him.

Why do we worship? God is looking

or true worshipers who will worshipHim in spirit and truth. God is Spirit.It means He is present everywhere andHe can be worshiped anywhere, at anytime, by His people. He desires toreveal Himsel to us and through us.He is all-powerul, all-knowing,

and always in control. Our situations and capacities are limited, but God islimitless. As we worship the LORD, we draw near to God, and He draws nearto us (James 4:8) and we, consequently, respond to His presence. We expressour worship and love or Him with all humility, gratitude, and devotion.

God is looking or trueworshipers who will

worship Him in spiritand truth.

READ


11/20

What are some things that have happened in the last twelve months that you canthank God or? How have the situations you’ve aced taught you to worship Godmore, in spite o the bad and in gratitude or the good?

What can you learn about worship rom Psalm 96?

Do you have a time and place or daily worship, prayer, and Bible reading?How can you carve out time to grow in your relationship with God every day?

What are some things you have to say no to in order to prioritize God in yourlie? (e.g. distractions on social media, arriving late or a prayer meeting orworship service, being conscious o what people may think o you during atime o worship)

REFLECT

RESPOND


12/20

3DAY Honor Godwith our Wealth9Honor the LORD with your wealthand with the firstruits o all your produce;10then your barns will be filled with plenty,and your vats will be bursting with wine.PROVERBS 3:9,10

Proverbs 3:9,10 • 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Psalm 24:1 • Malachi 3:8-12

E verything we have comes rom God and, thereore, everything belongsto Him. Every talent, skill, knowledge, and resource we have is His gifto us. In act, the earth is His—the world and everyone in it. Tis brings

us to the issue o wealth and what to do with it. How can we honor God withour wealth? How do we use it in such a way that our wealth can serve God’s

purposes on earth?

Firstruits was a Jewish east held in the early spring at the beginning o thegrain harvest. It was a time o thanksgiving or God’s provision. Just as theoffering o firstruits was an occasion o thanksgiving, so we give to God withglad and grateul hearts. Honoring God with our wealth is acknowledging Himas our source, and thereore we give back to Him the first—and the best—o

what He has given us.

When we honor God with ourwealth, we demonstrate that God,and not our possessions, has thefirst place in our lives, and ourresources belong to Him. We are

only managers or stewards oGod’s resources. Giving our tithesand offerings to God helps us conquer greed and properly manage God’sresources, enables us to bless others, and positions us to receive God’spromised blessings.

God, not our possessions,has the first place in ourlives, and our resources

belong to Him.

READ


13/20

What can you learn about God rom the ollowing passages?1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Psalm 24:1

What are the promises in God’s Word or those who honor the Lord with

their wealth?Proverbs 3:9,10

Malachi 3:8-12

Are you honoring God with your wealth? How can you put Him first in yourbudget and beore your financial needs this year?

What are you believing God or in terms o wealth this year? How can you use

your wealth to bless others and lead them to Him?

REFLECT

RESPOND


14/20

4DAY Honor Godwith our Bodies19Or do you not know that your body is a templeo the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have rom God? You are not your own, 20 or you werebought with a price. So gloriy God in your body.1 CORINHIANS 6:19, 20

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 • 1 Corinthians 10:31 • 2 Timothy 2:20-22

Usually, New Year’s resolutions include something about eating right andexercising—maybe because o the abundance o holiday ood or it’s agood way to start the year. Whatever the reason may be, physical health

is an important aspect o honoring God because i our bodies are not healthy, wewill be stifled in gloriying God.

In act, the Apostle Paul tells us why we need to take care o our bodies. First,our bodies are the temple o the Holy Spirit. Yes, the very Spirit o God lives inevery believer.

Second, our bodies belong to God.Tese are gifs rom God and we have

a responsibility to take care o whatwe’ve been given and keep it healthy.

Tird, we can honor God with our bodies. We are to flee rom sexual immoralityand gloriy God with our lives.

Honoring God with our bodies is not merely or the purpose o losing weight,

looking nicer, or living longer. We choose to honor God with our bodies becauseGod created us, Jesus purchased us with His blood, and now the Holy Spirit livesin us.

Your body is the temple othe Holy Spirit.

READ


15/20

According to 2 imothy 2:20-22, what kinds o vessels are there? Which one doyou think God wants you to be? What does a vessel or honorable use look like?What is it or?

As a believer, what are some truths you can learn rom 1 Corinthians 6:18-20about your body and how you ought to live?

What do you need to flee or turn away rom so that you may honor God withyour body? Do you believe God can give you the grace and strength to overcomesin and temptation?

What kind o lie do you think honors God? How can you live or His gloryand purpose every day o your lie?

REFLECT

RESPOND


16/20

5DAY Honor Godwith our Service10 As each has received a gif, use it to serve oneanother, as good stewards o God’s varied grace:11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles o God;whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength thatGod supplies—in order that in everything God may

be glorified through Jesus Christ. . . .

1 PEER 4:10,11

1 Peter 4:7-11 • 1 Samuel 12:24 • Joshua 22:1-5

Joshua 24:15 • Psalm 100:1, 2

I

t is said that the Romans minted a coin that had a picture o an ox onboth sides. On one side, the ox stood by an altar with the inscription:“or sacrifice”; on the other side, the ox was yoked to a plough with the

inscription: “or service.” Te coin was a reminder that Rome gave every citizenthe unique privilege to give themselves either or sacrifice or or service.

As Christians, we have the privilege o being used by God every single day oour lives by serving one another in a way that honors God.

We do this by first using the gifsGod has given us by His grace.Like a gifed piano player who brings

joy to the audience by playing, everytime we use God’s gif to serve oneanother, people are edified and Godis glorified.

We also honor God as we use the strength He has given us to serve others. I werely just on our own power and strength, we will not serve others. How ofenhave we said, “I’ll serve Him as long as He gives me strength”? Te Bible says,“Your days shall equal your strength.” God will give you the strength to serveHim by serving others and, in so doing, God will be praised and glorified.

We honor God as we usethe strength He has given

us to serve others.

READ


17/20

What were the Apostle Peter’s instructions in 1 Peter 4:7-11?

How are we to serve God?1 Samuel 12:24

Joshua 22:1-5

Psalm 100:2

Do you rely on your own strength to accomplish things? How can you rely onthe strength God has given you to do the tasks He has called you to do?

What gifs do you have that you can use to serve God and others? How can you

serve a amily member, classmate, officemate, riend, or neighbor this week?

REFLECT

RESPOND


18/20

PERSONAL FAITH GOALS

MY FAMILY

Spiritual Revival • Physical Healing • Prosperity and Abundance • Rich Generosity

Restoration of Relationships • Household Salvation

This year, I am believing God for . . .


19/20

MY SCHOOL/CAREER

MY MINISTRY

PRAYER PARTNER

Excellence • Promotion • Wisdom

Victory Group Growth • Salvation of Colleagues, Classmates, Bosses, Employees

“Again I say to you, i two o you agree on

earth about anything they ask, it will be

done or them by my Father in heaven.”

MAHEW 18:19


20/20

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway

Water fast

Liquid fast

Eat one meal only

Others:

Water fast

Liquid fast

Eat one meal only

Others:

Water fast

Liquid fast

Eat one meal only

Others:

Water fast

Liquid fast

Eat one meal only

Others:

Water fast

Liquid fast

Eat one meal only

Others:

Prayer meeting to attend:





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Prayer & Fasting (English Manual)