09.28.2025 | Why Fast - Pastor Luke Faw

Why Fast?

1.      Alignment

Jack Hayford: Not about us getting something from God! Or forcing God into action.  Prayer and fasting are means of aligning ourselves with His possibilities of power through applying His principles of obedience in order to participate in His promises.

 

 “Proclamation for a day of national humiliation fasting and prayer”

 

“Prayerlessness is pride!  if we’re not praying it’s because we have convinced ourselves we can do it on our own.” David Platt. 

 

Matt. 4:4 NLT But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

 

2.      Direction/Insight 
Acts 13:2 NIV While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 14:23 NIV  Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

 

3.      Power/Breakthrough

 

Mark 9:29 NKJV So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer [a]and fasting.”

4.      Modeled by JESUS  (40 days) Luke 4:2 NLT Where he was tempted by the devil for forty days.  Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

 

5.      Obedience (Assumed by Jesus)

Matt. 6:16 NIV “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

“Fasting is a choice…You could choose not to fast this year, but why would you? Why would you choose to stay where you are when God has so much more for you?” – Jentezen Franklin

 

Bill Bright:

o    Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, “I humble myself through fasting.”

o    Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.

o    Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.

o    The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!

o    Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.

o    Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life—and make you a channel of revival to others.

o    Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

– Bill Bright

 

How to fast:

  • Find something you enjoy that takes up time consistently in your life. Replace with prayer, worship and the Word

 

Why pray in the Spirit?

1.      Commanded to

Eph. 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Jude 20-21a ESV But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, …

 

2.      Pray what we cannot know about

1 Cor. 14:2 NIV For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

 

3.      Pray in alignment with God’s will

 

4.      Builds up your spirit.  Empowers walking in the Spirit

1 Cor 14:4a NLT a person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally,

 

Bill Bright steps for fasting: (notes available on joychurch.org/sermons)

  • Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.

  • Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

  • Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).

  • Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.

  • Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.

  • Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).

  • Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).

  • Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).

-Bill Bright

 

Questions for discussion/reflection:

1.     Have you ever done a fast before?  Describe the experience.

2.     If yes, was it positive or negative?  Why?

3.     What comes to mind when you hear the word fasting?

4.     What would fasting look like for you this week?

5.     What might hold you back from stepping into this week of fasting?

 

 

JC Editor