Biblical Insight on the practice of Fasting The Bible promotes fasting for health reasons The Bible guarantees spiritual growth through fasting The Bible gives detailed instructions on the what and when of fasting The Bible explicitly commands fasting Discipline ≠ Godliness Discipline is required to achieve Godliness 1 Corinthians 9:27 1 Timothy 4:7-8 e.g. we have to discipline ourselves to spend time with God, but the Holy Spirit is the one who ultimately works out Godliness in our lives Biblical Fasting is always coupled with prayer Biblical Fasting comes as a natural expression of the heart A response to great sorrow – 1 Samuel 7:1-10; 1 Chronicles 10:12 A response to great need –2 Chronicles20:1-17 A response to great confession – Jonah 3 A response to great burdens –Ezra 8:21-23; Acts 13:1-3 Biblical fasting is not legalistic (does not say what to give up or for how long) Biblical fasting is private - Matthew 6:16-18 Biblical fasting (that which is from the heart and coupled with prayer) moves God – Matthew 6:18, et al Commit this week to pray each day for at least 10 minutes straight. God would burden you regarding your spiritual condition God would draw you closer to Himself God would burden you for the spiritual condition of others God would draw this church closer to Him God would make this church more effective In reaching the lost In growing disciples God would encourage and strengthen us in the process