This will not be an exhaustive study on prayer and fasting. Prayerfully, at the end of our 31 days of seeking God and His will for our life, individually and corporately as the church (born-again believers), we will have a new perspective on prayer and living out God's plan and purpose in time.
A Biblical Definition of Prayer and Fasting:
- Prayer is communication with God. We do this by praising, confessing our sins before Him, and making our requests known to Him.
- Prayer is not dependent upon the sender, but the one who hears and responds to that prayer or request.
- Fasting is a spiritual discipline taught in the Bible. Fasting means to voluntarily reduce or eliminate your intake of food for a specific time and purpose.
- Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh but to redirect attention to God.
- You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast biblically without praying.
- The purpose of fasting is to gain deeper fellowship with God.
- Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want…
- Fasting changes, us, not God
Let’s get started!
For most of us, prayer is something we don't do well. We begin with a burden or praise, but before we say the "amen," we are a thousand miles from where we began, unless…we go to sleep at the wheel!
This sums up prayer life for most of us.
It was God's plan to walk and talk with His greatest creation. As a good Father, he desires to build an intimate relationship with His children. He is waiting to hear you call His name.
Watch as you take your first steps in his righteousness, for He cares for you.
2 Chronicles 7:15 says, “Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.”
- The Lord was speaking to Solomon after completing the temple and his palace. This should encourage us as children of God when we pray and fast. God is listening.
Our scriptures for week one are found in John 2:1-5.
- After reading these verses you’re probably wondering, “What does this have to do with prayer?” Remember 2 Chronicles 7:15, God’s eyes will be open and His ears attentive.
Let me suggest to you an outline of prayer that helps me to remain focused.
- God, you are good.
- I need help.
- They need help.
- Thank you, Lord!
Amen
I invite you to use this prayer guide as a tool to see the prayer in our scripture.
John 2:1-5
In those days, family honor was of vital importance. Weddings usually lasted seven days, during which food and wine, supplied by the bride and groom’s families, flowed freely.v1On the third day, a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, v2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. v3When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
To run out of either implied a thoughtless or impoverished host. Running out of wine would bring dishonor upon the family name.
Could the wedding have been that of a relative of Jesus or a family friend? It is quite possible. Such a connection would explain Jesus’ presence at the wedding, but not His decision to perform a miracle there.
We have a wedding, a wedding party, but no wine.
At this point, Jesus responds to his mother's request.
v4Woman, "Why do you involve me?” Jesus replied.” My hour has not yet come.” v5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
What a statement of faith. Is prayer really that easy?
Make your request known, leave it with Jesus, and do whatever He tells you?
YES!
Using the prayer guide, let's unpack the simple prayer and response found in the scripture.
- God, you are good:
- Reflect on the goodness of God.
- I need help:
- Our need for a savior, shield, protector, and provider.
- They need help:
- Intercede on behalf of others.
- Thank you, Lord:
- Gratitude for what God has done and what He will do.
Amen: So let it be!
I pray you will participate in our 31 Days of Fasting and Prayer. May we as the church repent and seek God’s will for ourselves and direction for our church.
