WORD POWER: Fast (tsom)- a spiritual discipline involving the voluntary denial of food for a set period of time in order to draw closer to God.

INTRO:Biblical Truths about Fasting.

- Jesus Fasted and presumed that His Followers would Fast.
But when you fast….. Matthew 6:16

- Fasting and Prayer is intertwined with a theology of Power!
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 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. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:19-21

- Fasting is only acceptable when it is done with the right Motive.
Is 58:3-5,

ANALYSIS: Spiritual Fasting

1. Fasting Empowers us for Warfare.
"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Vs 6

Fasting will undo the Bonds of heavy Burdens
Fasting will release the Bonds of
Fasting will break the Bonds of Yokes that cause discouragement and burnout.

2. Fasting positions us to Serve the Disadvantaged well.
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Vs 7

3. Fasting provides Breakthrough Promises
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you;Vs 8

Breakthrough for Direction
Breakthrough for Healing
Breakthrough in Righteousness and Glory! for greater influence and

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16

4. Fasting increases our Spiritual Intimacy with God.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' Vs 9


APPLICATION: Get GROWing by FASTing

Focus onyour why
I humbled myself with fasting; Psalm 35:13

Approach your Spiritual Formation through your Stomach
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 Cor 6:19

Set a time and duration.

Turn to His Word for strength and victory
Strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:28