31 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Focus on Fasting

 

 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 

Matthew 6:16-18 NLT

When you fast …

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us surrender ourselves to God by voluntarily abstaining from a physical need or activity for a time, in order to better focus our thoughts and senses on God. 

Guidelines for Fasting: 

1. Fast SYSTEMATICALLY. When Jesus taught His disciples about fasting, He began with the words “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16). Jesus expected that we would fast on a regular basis, whether one day a week or a portion of a day each week. In our "31 Days of Prayer and Fasting" we encourage people to set aside Fridays as a day of fasting, but if there is a better day for you, for with it. 

2. Fast SECRETLY. Jesus cautioned His disciples not to make a spectacle out of fasting like the religious leaders did. Don’t draw attention to yourself; act normal

3. Fast SENSIBLY. Don’t feel that you must fast for many days to be effective. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew” (pun intended). You may fast for a meal, or a day or a longer period, but don’t feel like you have to do a 40 day fast like Jesus did. If you aren’t accustomed to fasting, start slow, and allow God to lead you. Discipline takes practice and time.

4. Fast SACRIFICIALLY. By nature, fasting requires giving up something meaningful. If we normally do not eat breakfast it is not really a sacrifice to fast breakfast. A true fast must be a sacrifice. Doesn’t have to be food. Some are not able because of medical reasons, to fast from food. Social media, TV, sports, shopping. It really isn’t up to you to figure this out. Pray and ask God what He wants you to fast from. 

5. Fast SUPERNATURALLY. The very nature of fasting requires dependence on God’s supernatural power to see us through. You’re not in this alone, trust the Holy Spirit. When the early church fasted before sending out workers, the Bible says, “The Holy Spirit came” (Acts 13:2,3). We need God’s Spirit as we fast.

6. Fast SPECIFICALLY. Have a fasting focus. God said to Israel, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?” (Isaiah 58:6). (Isaiah 58, note that fasting isn’t just about “doing without” it is also about blessing others.) We must ask God to direct us in the focus of our fasting.

7. Fast SENSITIVELY. Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. When Israel fasted before a crucial battle, the Bible says they “inquired of the Lord.” (Judges 20:23; I Samuel 23) When we fast we should take special time to hear God speak. (Acts 13:1-2)

 The goal of this month of Prayer and Fasting is to draw nearer to God and listen for His guidance and direction in our lives. 

So when you pray

Do it to the Lord, not to be seen by others. Eliminate the distractions, and you don’t have to pray for hours on end - say what we need to and then listen to the Lord. 

And when you fast: 

We are going to have a plan, and we’re not going to draw attention to ourselves, but we are going to be sacrificial and give up something significant, and we are going to trust the Holy Spirit to guide us, and to give us a focus for our fast and we are going to listen for His voice. That is why we are doing this - we want to hear from God! God will speak in His own way at His own time, so we aren’t trying to manipulate God, but we are putting ourselves in a position so we can hear when He speaks. 

31 Days of Prayer and Fasting: Focus on Prayer

 

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!" Matthew 6:5-8 NLT

Prayer is communicating with God. Prayer is talking to and listening to God. It really is that simple, but it is also incredibly essential for the Christian life. Martin Luther once said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” The gospels record numerous instances of Jesus praying, and if Jesus felt the need to pray and He was the Son of God, how much more do you and I need to pray?

I know you know this, but the truth is that the average Christian isn’t very satisfied with their prayer life. In a 2019 survey, 14,000 Christians were asked to rate their satisfaction with their prayer life. Only 1% indicated they were very satisfied with their prayer life, while 11% indicated they were very dissatisfied with their prayer life. The majority of the participants gave their prayer life a 3 out of 10 on the scale. Most of us acknowledge that our prayer life needs a boost. So let’s look at some very practical instructions Jesus gives about prayer: 

When you pray …

1. Don’t pray to get attention - Jesus says, “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites” Who are the “hypocrites”? Religious people who want to draw attention to themselves.  They like to stand up in the synagogue and even on the street corners and pray loud prayers because they think other people will look at them and think they are super spiritual. But what is their reward? The applause and admiration of others, but not of God. Jesus said: Don’t do that. Don’t pray to get the attention of others. 

2. Eliminate distractions - go to your room and shut the door, pray in secret. He is teaching an important principle here. This isn’t just about not praying to get attention, this is also about eliminating distractions. How do you eliminate distractions? 

    a. Have a time - We are more consistent when you have a set time. Put it on your calendar or "to do" list as an appointment with God. 

    b. Have a place - Go where the distractions are minimal. Jesus says go to your room or "prayer closet" but it doesn't necessarily have to be inside; it might be a porch or quiet place in the woods.  Find a place where you feel peaceful and spend time in prayer. Also, remove technology - leave your phone in another room or turn it off while you pray. People lived thousands of years without the use of cell phones, you and I can live without it for a little while to focus on God. 

    c. Have a plan - Begin your prayer time meditating on Scripture. Use the 31 Day Prayer Guide for Scripture prompts, or any passage God has brought to your mind. Also have a pen and paper, and keep a list to pray over and write what you hear God saying. 

3. Pray briefly

    Not all prayer times have to be lengthy. Sometimes God may keep you longer in prayer, but don't feel like you have some time quota to meet. Also, avoid:

a. Vain repetitions - don’t use  “religious words” as magic formulas

b. Many words - don’t try to stretch it out for the sake of length. Say what you have to say and then listen

Prayer improves with practice. You don’t learn how to pray better from a sermon, or from a book. You learn how to pray better by praying.