Prayer and Fasting

There are two ways of fasting: A Personal Fast (private fast) and a Joint-Corporate Fast.


When believers and a church joins together for a common purpose, we call it a corporate fast. 

Fasting is a spiritual dynamics that brings supernatural manifestation.

God rewards Fasting. God wants us to fast so that we are disciplined and are not controlled by our soul and flesh.

In the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14-16, we are taught to humble ourselves before God. Fasting is one of the way that we humble ourselves to the Lord. Fasting doesn't work alone. Fasting has "twins" that aids it for better results and supernatural breakthroughs. We cannot just fast (not eating)...that would be a dieting! Spiritual Fasting is accompanied with something. We fast and PRAY. We fast and WORSHIP. We fast and PRAISE. We fast and REPENT. We fast and GIVE. We fast with THANKSGIVING. These are "power twins" to fasting. TOGETHER they produce results!

When we fast, we are seeking God's face for direction and instruction - it is a way of waiting upon the Lord.

Fasting brings discipline and deliverance.

 In 2 Chronicles 20: 3-5, King Jehoshaphat received a threatening message. Strong armies gathered together to battle against him. These armies had a reputation of destroying and wiping off any opponents. Jehoshaphat gathered the people together and proclaimed a time of fasting and seeking God.

Fasting takes your eyes off yourself and your circumstances 

and helps you to focus on God and His Word.

 (Read: 2 Chronicles 20:12)

As the sought the Lord, He gave them specific instruction and direction. Suddenly they knew what to do. They were no longer dependent on their strength and ability but they looked and leaned upon God. Our educational, physical, mental, financial strengths has limitation! But God is all-powerful!
Jehoshaphat and his people heard the voice and instruction of God because of prayer and fasting. They then moved into fasting and praise and the Lord caused a confusion in the enemy's camp and they enjoyed a great victory!

In 2 Chronicles 20:30, we see that Jehoshaphat and his people enjoyed peace and rest. This is because of prayer and fasting. How long will we be threatened with the same oppositions and words? It is time to enjoy peace and rest in security knowing we have overcome an enemy. Prayer and fasting brings complete deliverance from the enemy that constantly pursued us. It can break generational curses and bring freedom from spirits of familiarity.

Fasting and Prayer enables us to be dependent on the spirit and not the soul and flesh.

Fasting is associated with afflicting the soul (Isaiah 58: 5-14). The soul is the mind, emotions and will. Through fasting we can break addictions and bad habits. Whatever is controlling our mind and emotions...whatever is controlling us can be broken through the power of fasting and prayer.

Emotional eyes are blinded with tears

Fearful eyes are blinded with terror

Spiritual eyes are open with fasting and prayer

Natural fasting cleanses the body - Spiritual fasting (fasting according to God's Word and principles) cleanses the soul. Prayer and fasting helps us to make quality spiritual decision. It helps us to see life the way God sees.

In Acts 13, in the church at Antioch, they gathered together in worship and fasting. The Holy Spirit spoke and gave them divine appointment and instruction. Fasting and worship brings corporate growth in leadership. It provides spiritual guidance and assistance.

Personal fasting builds personal spiritual strength and Godly character

Corporate fasting builds corporate spiritual strength and unity 

Fasting produce revival!

Make a commitment to fast for 7days.
Ask God to lead you (Matt. 6: 9-15).
Know the purpose, plan and length of your fast - write it down.
Make a promise to God and keep your fast for the intended time.

At Christian Family Church International, MAURITIUS, we have declared a seven days fast for

·         ·         Divine direction

·         ·         Open heaven

·         ·         Divine favor

·         ·         Spiritual and Financial Breakthroughs

·         ·         Peace and security of God 

As a church, we stand in unity, pray and confess:

·         We repent of our ways and seek God's face.

·         We declare that we depend on God's grace and leadership.

·         We declare that the Holy Spirit is our guide and leads us into our God-given destiny.

·         We declare that our church in united.

·         We declare that we have divine direction.

·         We declare we have the wisdom of God.

·         We declare that the Christian Family Church Int. Mauritius will have land and building in the vicinity of Port Louis.

·         We declare that all our churches will grow and be successful in Jesus' name.

·         We declare that we are a people that are strong in the power of His might.

·         We declare that we are victorious.

·         We declare that we have all finances to do the work of the ministry.

·         We declare that we have the victory in Jesus' name.

·         We declare that no harm will come to our dwelling in Jesus' name.

I will be tweeting about fasting for seven days between Monday 11th to Sunday 17th. Follow and be blessed.

Pray, pray, pray

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

Luke 11: 1

The disciples asked to be teach them to pray. They did not ask "Lord, teach us how to do miracles, or how to walk on water or raise the dead"

The supernatural manifests as a result of prayer. 

Prayer in communion and intimacy with God. Prayer is a dialogue. We speak to God and God speaks to us. Through prayer, we connect our spirit, soul and body to God.

Prayer should be first and foremost personal - my time alone with God - then congregational - our time with God.

Matt. 26: 36-44

Jesus encouraged His disciples to join in prayer with Him.

Jesus dealt with depression and discouragement by prayer.

Jesus dealt with sorrow through prayer

Jesus expected His disciples to join Him in prayer

Jesus saw THEM asleep and spoke to PETER (verse 40): " What could you not WATCH and PRAY "with me" one hour?"

Jesus never forced His disciples to pray (verse 43-44)

Jesus repeated the same words in His prayer

Jesus revealed that the way to deal with temptation is through prayer

Matt. 21: 13 

Jesus said: " My house shall be called a house of prayer"

In the book of Acts of the Apostles, 

they continued as Jesus instructed and taught:

Acts 1: 14

They ALL continued with one accord in prayer including the women and the mother of Jesus.

Acts 2: 41-42

After the preaching of Peter, there were 3000 new converts, that:

1. Gladly received the Word

2. Were baptized

3. Continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine

4. Fellowship

5. Breaking of bread - Holy Communion

6. And in prayers

Acts 3:1

Although the church was growing, Peter and John went up together at the HOUR OF PRAYER

MIRACLES, SINGS AND WONDERS FOLLOW PRAYER

Acts 4: 24

After a testimony, they lifted up their voice with one accord in prayer...

Acts 4:31 

...and when they had prayed, the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and with spoke the Word with boldness

Acts 9: 10-12

Once Paul was converted (saw the light), one of the first thing that he did was to PRAY

Acts 10: 2-3

Cornelius was a man of prayer...because of prayer, he had a Godly vision and favor from God

Acts 10: 9-11, 13

Peter spent time praying and saw the same vision and heard a voice from heaven

Acts 12: 1,5, 12

Peter persecuted in prison...But the church prayer! 

Prayer brought deliverance!

Acts 13: 1-3

The church prayed and God spoke and sent people out on missions and church plants

We should continue in prayer...Prayer brings results and a supernatural manifestation.

God opens door

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."

Rev. 3:6-8

When God opens door, no man or devil can shut. This demonstrate the sovereignty of God!
It's a spiritual door granting us access to a new level, new dimension, promotion, increase...

Three things that church believed in and held on to:
1. The Word of Jesus Christ
Revelation about The Word

2. Not denied the name of Jesus
The Lordship of Jesus

3. The patience of Jesus
Perseverance & patience (as Jesus) in times of adversity
God allows us to go through certain things. At times He provides an "Escape" (deliverance) route and at times He allows us to "Endure" (discipline)

Doors:
Doors can be PULLED (spiritual attraction) towards you or can be PUSHED (spiritual effort).

Prayer is the key to open doors!

4 types of doors:

A) Doors of faith - 1 Cor. 16:9
B) Doors of utterance - Col. 4:3
C) Doors of ministry - 2 Cor. 2:12
D) Doors of opportunity - Rev. 3:6-8

Doors of faith, ministry, opportunity, utterance...some needs to be pulled others pushed.

3 ways to know an OPEN DOOR is from God:

1. The Door that God Opens Will Never Contradict His Word
2. The Door that God Opens Will be Accompanied by Confirmation 
3. The Door God Opens Will Require You to Depend on Him

www.jamesarekion.com

Ask, seek and knock

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

 Matt. 7: 7-8 

Ask, seek & knock - These are the words of Jesus. I believe that he is revealing a deeper and higher level of prayer. There is within this verse a suggested progression in prayer. As believers, we are to grow with God. 

The Amplified Version translate these verses as:

^"Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened."

This is in the present imperative which is a command not only to do something but to keep on doing it indefinitely. All three verbs in verse seven, Ask, Seek, Knock are not only imperatives (commands) but they are present tense imperatives. We are told to ask and keep on asking, we are to seek and keep on seeking and we are to knock and keep on knocking.

These very words; Ask, Seek and Knock seems to suggest an ever increasing intensity in prayer. 

1.Asking: There are some things that the need is so clear that we merely ask for them. We are told to ask in faith. Believe by faith that you shall receive your request.

But then we move to another level in relationship and prayer when we seek:

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Ps. 27:8

2. Seeking is a deeper level of prayer than just asking. Seeking His presence, His will and the principle of the Kingdom (Matt. 6:33). Intimacy with God begins when we radically pursue Him with our whole heart. 

God invites us in James 4:8 to "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

This is where your prayer turns to: "God, I want more of You. Lord I want more of Your Presence. I desire more of your fullness in my life. Fill me with more of You."

Salvation through Jesus Christ gives us the right to enter into God's presence. Worshiping God is a key to intimacy with God. Congregational and personal worship are both important. Intimacy with God will bring radical changes in you!

3.Knocking. The knocking here denotes seeking entrance. Entering another arena and dimension. It opens  the gateway to the supernatural realm - The access to living in the miraculous.This level is where we overcome limitations and walk in our God-given destiny and purpose in life. This level produce revelations, visions and impartations from God. The Holy Spirit becomes the leader of your life. 

It's time for you to experience the supernatural...living with joy and saying:  “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” [Luke 10:17-20]

I encourage you to grow in prayer.