WHY PRAYER AND FASTING

TOPIC:      WHY PRAYER AND FASTING

                                                     LESSON TWO

SUBJECT: PRAYER AND FASTING

The subject of prayer and fasting is very vital for successful Christian living and service. As nobody can exist without breathing, so no Christian can remain spiritually alive without praying and fasting. This is the reason why we will take a look at the subject of prayer and fasting for four weeks, if the Lord Jesus tarry.

MAIN IDEA:  Because the word of God the Holy Bible has much to say about prayer and fasting.

STUDY TEXTS: “Matthew 17:14-21”

LESSON OBJECTIVE:        To reiterate that prayer and fasting are indispensable ingredients in any Christian who wants to grow spiritually,

INTRODUCTION:

There are situations that will prove to be stubborn some times and there are demonic realm or level that always want to see if you are serious about the word of God that you maybe  confessing through your mount for yourself to be able to overcome such a time or period in your life. The Lord Jesus Christ said there will be need for prayer and fasting in situations like that. Prayer and fasting is one of the strategic ways the Lord expect us to use to overcome the day to day trials and temptation that will come our way. Prayer for a Christian is communication with our Lord God. Our father God desire and love us the Christians to always be in this atmosphere with Him. Because of this, God our Lord Jesus Christ has made it possible that prayers become natural thing for those that will sincerely from their heart seek Him.

SUBJECT MATTERS:

1.                 There are various commands given to Christian to pray all the time (Luke 18:1)

2.                 All men and women are commanded to seek the Lord and the wicked to forsake his ways in prayer of repentance. (Isa. 55:7)

3.                 As Christians, we are requested to ask, seek and knock and we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Matt. 21:22)

4.                 Fasting accomplishes a good number of things in the life of the believer (Daniel 9:3)

5.                 This focuses one attention on God to the exclusion of all else and moreover, it aids in temptation. (Joel 2:12-13)

6.                 Helps in exercising authority over demons. (Matt. 17:21)

7.                 It equally makes prayer powerful and effective. (Mark 9:29)

PRACTICAL LESSON:

1.              Always combine prayer with fasting to attain the desired will of God concerning your life?

2.              There are some folks in the Christians race who believe that God is so kind to them that they do not need to fast at all throughout the year and therefore they are complascent with their present position. Do you belong to this group?

MEMORY VERSE:     “Matthew 17:21”

          Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

CLASS DISCUSSION:

1.                             Why is it necessary to pray at all?

2.                             Are there practical examples of answers to prayers as a result of prayer and fasting? Please state such examples.