Horizon Church August Bible Reading Plan: Consecration - 14 Days of Prayer & FastingSample

Why do we Fast? | Ps Kon Tsardoulias

This is perhaps one of the most important questions we need to ask ourselves before entering into a fast, in order that our motives are in alignment with the Word of God. In Acts 13:2, the early church leaders were in a time of worship towards God and were fasting. The Greek word for worship in this verse is the word ‘leitourgounton’ which describes priestly service. For the believer, worship in this context refers to the priestly ministering they give to God, which is directly related to their true identity. As born again believers, we are a royal priesthood and as official priests to God, it is our profound privilege to offer up worship to the Lord with fasting. Fasting does not bring us any closer to God than what we already are, but it does help us focus on the closeness that is already ours by removing distractions that, at times, clutter our perspective and cloud our worship.

So why fast?

As priests of God if our motive is purely to worship Him, then our motives are pure and we use fasting as an opportunity to turn our attention and our affection towards the Lord. Let me encourage you to approach this season of prayer and fasting with no other motive other than to offer worship up to God. Keeping your focus fixed on Jesus will not only help you persevere when fasting becomes difficult, but will also keep you in perfect peace.

Prayer Focus:

• Spend time in worship, focusing your attention on Jesus
• Bring your motives for fasting before God and align them with His heart and will
• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of your life that you may need to deepen your surrender in over this fast