FASTING FOR BREAKTHROUGH

1. INTRODUCTION

· Times of visitation by God’s Spirit are always preceded by preparation.

· The Spirit of God draws people to prepare their hearts so gain maximum benefit.  E.g. Exod. 19:10-11 Sanctify the people - Be ready for the third day - visitation.

· “Sanctify” = to set apart, purify, make clean, dedicate before the manifestation of God’s glory was a season of preparation.  E.g. Mal.3:1-2 “Behold I send my messenger he shall prepare the way”.

· Before the first coming of the Lord there was a season of preparation.

· “Prepare the way” = call to repentance, confront and turn from sin.  E.g. Joel 2:12 “Turn to me now with all your hearts and with fasting and with weeping”.

· Fasting is a powerful spiritual weapon to break open our hearts.

· Some areas of sin and bondage require fasting for breakthrough.  E.g. Mt.17:21.  This kind comes out only by prayer and by fasting.

2. THE FAST THE LORD HAS CHOSEN

Is.58:6-12

a) What is Fasting?

· Not just missing a meal!

· Purposeful, voluntary abstaining for a season from food, drink, rest or attachments to people or things so that there might be an increased inner focus upon the presence and person of God.

b) 3 Different Kinds of Fast

i) Normal - going without food for a determined period.

ii) Absolute - going without any food or drink (3 days max.)

iii) Partial - going without certain types of food or limited eating.

c) Fasts that God has chosen

i) Loose the bands of wickedness     -free self and others from addictions to sin

                                                            (Mt.17:21)

ii) Undo heavy burdens                      -solve problems and overcome difficulties

                                                            (Ezra 8:23)

iii) Let the oppressed go free              -for soul winning and revival (1 Sam. 7:3)

iv) Break every yoke                          -conquer mental and emotional problems

                                                            (1 Kg.19:48)

v) Bread to the hungry                       -care for poor and needy (1 Kg.17:16)

vi) Light to break forth                         -clear perspective, vision, insight (Acts 9:9)

vii) Health spring forth                         -healing or health (Dan.1:8)

viii) Righteousness go before             -Influence on community (Lk.1:15)

ix) Glory of Lord be reward                -Presence of God protecting (Esth.4:16)

3. PRACTICAL POINTS ON FASTING

i) Before the Fast

· Make a written commitment in journal or diary.

· Aim - why are you doing this?

· How long are you fasting? Start - Finish? - Duration.

· What fasting from?

· You strengthen your will by stating what you are committed to do.

· You focus your anticipation and build faith in God for an answer.

· You are making a vow of separation to the Lord. (Num.6:7,8)

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ii) During the Fast

· Set aside time alone with God above what normally have.

· Pray - this is central to fasting - seeking the presence and power of God.

· Bible - spend time reading, seeking insight.

· Journal - Write down struggles, requests, insights you received about God, purposes, direction or guidance, issues exposed.

· Drink - plenty of water.

iii) What to expect?

· Headaches, weakness, nausea (eat a little), irritability, withdrawal symptoms, increase craving or addiction, bad breath, frequent urination.

· Alertness, spiritual sensitivity, reduction in craving for food.

iv) Breaking the Fast

· Don’t shock the system by overeating or by fatty foods.

· Begin with soup, porridge etc.

· Celebrate and thank the Lord. (Lev.16:32)

v) Violating the Fast

· Fasting is not just about getting answers - how you do it is important.

· Mt.6:16-18 Do it secretly without outward show.

· Num.6:12 - stick to the commitment you have made.

· You violate the fast when you -

a) Fail to do it

b) Break the fast prematurely or “cheat”.

· Violating weakens your faith and personal esteem because of the lack of self discipline.

vi) A key place to start!

·  “Loosing the bands of wickedness?”

· Identify “besetting sins” (Heb.12:1)

· What areas of your life are a continual area of compromise and defeat that seem to resist and defy you like a giant.

· Fast for breakthrough!

· N.B. David - Breakthrough 1 Chron. 13

                        - Restoration of Ark 1 Chron. 14

FOR DISCUSSION

Do not attempt to answer all the questions

1. The Fast God has chosen:

· Read Is.58:1-7

· What 3 things did Israel do that seemed to be godly? (v2)

· Why are outward actions less important than heart motives to God?

· What complaint did the people make against God? (v3a)

· Have you complained to God when he did not act as you wanted?

· Why do people tend to blame God rather than look at their own attitudes and actions?

· What reasons did God give for refusing to respond to their fasting? (v3b - 4)

· What did God reveal is the right motive for fasting? (v4b)

· How does this compare to Jesus instructions on fasting? (Mt.6:16 - 18)

· What four motives or purposes does God give for fasting in v6?

· Why is it important to have a clear purpose for fasting?

· Are you facing any one of the situations described in v6?

a) Loose bands of wickedness - Free self or others from power of besetting sin

b) Undo heavy burdens - Solve difficult problems

c) Let the oppressed go free - Salvation or deliverance from darkness.

d) Break every yoke - Break the power of mental, emotional, demonic bondage.

· Are you willing to fast as well as pray for breakthrough?

            - What commitment will you make to this?  Tell others in the group.

· What four practical actions are listed as part of the chosen fast? (v7)

· In what ways are these actions like a fast - purposeful abstaining from things you need or like?

· In what ways does this passage compare to Zech. 7:5 - 10?

· What practical actions did God require in that passage?