Fasting is something few Christians in the West practice. But is it important? What does Jesus say about it? And is it as hard or dangerous as it seems?

0:00 – INTRO. *RECOMMENDED RESOURCE DR. DON WHITNEY’S BOOK SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – www.tinyurl.com/donaldwhitneybook

0:53 – SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: HABITS THAT PROMOTE SPIRITUAL GROWTH, CHRISTLIKENESS & DRAW US CLOSER TO GOD

1:20 – JESUS EXPECTS US TO FAST (Matt. 6). AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK GOD’S GRACE.

2:22 – DIFFERENT KINDS OF FASTING:

1. NORMAL FAST – no food, yes water
2. PARTIAL FAST – limitation of diet (Dan. 1:12; Matt. 3:4)
3. ABSOLUTE FAST – no food or liquid (Acts 9:9)
4. SUPERNATURAL FAST – only God sustains (Deut. 9:9; Matt. 4:1-2)

4:55 – REASONS TO FAST: “P.R.E.S.S. H.O.P.E.”

1. P: PRAYER
2. R: REPENTANCE (Jonah 3:4-5)
3. E: EXPRESSING WORSHIP
4. S: SEEKING GUIDANCE – need God’s wisdom
5. S: SEEKING DELIVERANCE – enemies, circumstances
6. H: HUMBLING OURSELVES BEFORE GOD (Ps. 35:13)
7. O: OVERCOMING TEMPTATION (Matt. 4:1-2)
8. P: PROVIDING FOR THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
9. E: EXPRESSING CONCERN

9:18 – THE BIBLE DOESN’T TELL US HOW LONG TO FAST: JUST DO IT SAFELY!

IF YOU’VE NEVER FASTED BEFORE, START WITH 1-2 MEAL FAST

IF FAST MORE THAN 1 DAY, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

11:26 – SO WHAT?

13:14 WHAT’S YOUR NEXT STEP? TRY FASTING WITH A GOAL

14:27 – THANK YOU & WRAP UP