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Discipleship Manual
Prayer and Fasting
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     Throughout the Word of God, we find men and women who had a personal and intimate relationship with God. Prayer and fasting are two keys to developing and maintaining intimacy with God. Communication with the Lord is dependent upon our prayer life. Fasting helps to discipline our bodies and our souls so that we can hear from God. It does not "buy" us anything from God but aligns us with His purposes and will. Through prayer, we can pour out our hearts before the Lord, knowing that we serve a God who understands our every need. (Psalm 62:8)

  1. What Is The Meaning Of Prayer?

         There are several words that are translated "pray" or "prayer" in both the Old and New Testaments. Some of the English words that are associated with prayer are: "entreaty - intercession - supplication".

    1. Prayer is a time of communication and fellowship with the Lord. This includes:

      1. Our speaking to the Lord.

      2. The Lord addressing us as well.

    2. Prayer is to be a continual relationship - (Ephesians 6:18, I Thessalonians 5:17))


  2. What Are Some Biblical Examples Of Prayer?

    Both the Old and New Testaments provide us examples:

    1. Hannah - (I Samuel 1:27)

    2. Solomon - (I Kings 8:22-26)

    3. Jesus - (Luke 5:15-16, 22:42-43)

    4. Paul - (Ephesians 3:14)

    5. A single individual or a group may participate in prayer.

      1. An individual - (Matthew 6:5-7)

      2. Two or three - (Matthew 18:18-20)

      3. A corporate body or church - (Acts 2:42, 4:24)


  3. What Are The Keys To Effective Prayer?

         In Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-13, we find the disciples inquiring of Jesus concerning their prayer life. The prayer Jesus gives them provides us with a pattern for our prayer life today.

    1. "Our Father Which Are In Heaven Hallowed By Thy Name": gives us insight into our relationship with God and also the promises that are ours as we know His name. We should start every prayer letting God know that His name is "Hallowed" and or Holy to us. That is simply praise God for being our God!

    2. "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done": helps us to establish God's kingdom as our priority and understanding what is to take place in and on this earth.

    3. "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread": God makes provision for our every need.

    4. "Forgive Us Our Debts As We Forgive Our Debtors": We must maintain right relationships with one another if we are to keep our relationship with the Lord vital and fresh.

    5. "Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil": God's power is greater than that of the enemy. This will help us to effectively defeat satan.

    6. "For Thine Is The Kingdom, And The Power And The Glory": How to have a dynamic encounter with the living God.


  4. What Other Principles Are We To Follow In Prayer?

    1. Be in accordance with God's will - (I John 5:14-15)

    2. Should be made with thanksgiving - (Psalm 100:4)

    3. Is not to be mere ritual or vain repetition - (Matthew 6:7)

    4. We must pray in faith, nothing wavering - (James 1:6-8)


  5. Are There Different Kinds Of Prayer?

         Yes, I Timothy 2:1 gives us insight into this. It mentions supplications, prayer, intercessions, and giving thanks.

    1. Supplication: means to beseech, beg, plead, or appeal to God. - (Daniel 9, Ephesians 6:18)

    2. Prayers: any type of communication between God and man. Includes waiting before God in silence, making petitions of Him, seeking His face, even calling upon His name. - (Isaiah 40:31, I Chronicles 4:10, II Chronicles 26:5)

    3. Intercession: when we argue in favor of a person or cause before God. - (Exodus 32:10-14, Genesis 18:22-23, Luke 23:34)

    4. Giving Of Thanks: coming before God with "an attitude of gratitude". - (Psalm 100:4, Philippians 4:6)


  6. What Are Some Hinderances To Prayer?

    1. Undisciplined thoughts - (II Corinthians 10:4-5)

    2. Asking amiss - (James 4:1-3)

    3. Unforgiveness - (Matthew 5:7,23-24, 18:21-35)

    4. Pride - (Psalm 138:6)

    5. Sin and iniquity - (Isaiah 59:1-4)

    6. Bitterness - (Hebrews 12:12-17)

    7. Unbelief - (James 1:5-7)

    8. Improper relationships - (I Peter 3:7)


  7. What Is Fasting?

         Fasting is deliberately turning from food and/or our personal appetites, that we might focus our attention on God.


  8. What Are The Results Of Prayer And Fasting?

    1. Daniel received divine instruction - (Daniel 10)

    2. The city of Nineveh was saved - (Jonah 3)

    3. The nation of Israel was delivered from death - (Esther 4)

    4. Demons cast out - (Matthew 17:14-21)

    5. The will of God revealed - (Acts 9:9-15, 13:1-4)

    6. The elders of the church were chosen and ordained - (Acts 14:23)


  9. There Are Blessings Promised To Those Who Fast And Pray.

    1. Isaish 58:6-12 gives the benefits of prayer and fasting with right motives.

    2. Disciplines our body (subdues the flesh and allows our spirit to be strengthened) - (I Corinthians 9:27)

    3. Ministers unto the Lord - (Acts 13:1-3)

    4. Gives power to do spiritual warfare - (Matthew 17:21)


  10. Are There Different Types Of Fasts? - YES

    1. Regular Fast: Refraining from all food and drink, except water. - (Matthew 4:3)

    2. Partial Fast: Refraining from a certain meal or restricting the intake of certain foods. - (Daniel 10:3)

    3. Complete Fast: A total refraining from all food and liquid. - (Acts 9:9, Esther 4:16)

    4. Liquid Fast: Allowing ourselves to partake of liquid, but no solid food for a determined period of time.


  11. When Are We To Fast?

    1. When led or directed by the Spirit of the Lord - (Matthew 4:1-2)

    2. When, as individuals, we sense the need. - (Matthew 6:16-18)

    3. When the Church, as a body, is called to fast - (Joel 1:14, 2:15-16)


     Prayer and Fasting are two essential tools for waging spiritual warfare. As we approach God with right motives in our hearts and with our minds focused on Him, we can expect results from the petitioins we lift before Him. (I John 5:14-15)


Review Questions
  1. What is Prayer?
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  2. Give two key essentials for effective prayer?
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  3. What is Fasting?
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  4. What results can we expect when we Fast and Pray?
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  5. How do we prepare our hearts and minds for prayer and fasting?
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Last modified: 10/23/2002