The posture of fasting

by Pastor Peter

Big idea:
We need to consecrate ourselves to God when we pray and fast.

We leave the outcome to God

Matthew 6:16-18
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.


Specifically right after He taught the disciples the lord's prayer

When you fast, not if, not after....

The Jews were expected to fast and pray, Jesus did not dictate how frequent ...

Early Jews Twice a week, wed and Fri usually 24 hours.

Jews were expected to fast and pray

Fasting is a much better response

Types of Biblical fasting:
A. Fasting is limited to food and water, things that literally sustain our bodies, with abstinence so our spirit, soul, body can fully focus on God
- TV, movies etc is abstinence, not fasting

B. Fasting can be done individually and in community

Benefits of fasting in the community:
- it increases unity
- it increases prayer
- it increases motivation

The "hypocrites" fasted with a posture of pride and did it to make them look good

How should we fast?
#1 Approach God with sincerity
- authentic, real
- sin must be repentance of the heart
- come to God in brokenness during crisis
- have the attitude of seeking God's face and His will
- please only God the Father
- we're only seeking His rewards, not other rewards

Fasting is a time to deepen your communion with God

John piper
They were hungry enough for God's leading that they wanted to say it with the hunger of their bodies and not just the hunger of their hearts

#2 Adopt a posture of humility
- not show off a sense of spirituality

Humility begins when we see God for who He is, which then provides the basis on which we see ourselves for who we are

Knowing and seeing God, we response by submitting and surrendering to Him

Esther 4
When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. 6 So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. 9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.


the story of King of Nineveh

The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. 6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”


James 4:6-10
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[a] 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.


urges believers to draw near to God... Seeking friendship with God, not loving the world but love God by submitting, repent, mourn and weep.... A type of fasting through self denial

This verse is so necessary in today's world, Where people are Self reliant, affluent society, highly educated

To separate ourselves from the world, we must humble ourselves through acts of self denial

As we fast, God will awaken within us a deeper hunger and love for Him - a work of His grace

If pray and no answer, then chart forward what is right and pray for peace of God. If peace of God not felt, then means even though the right decision is not what God wants....