1. DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, LOCATION / REGION
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Year of Full Restoration
02 JULY, 2017

2. LESSON 650: PRAYER AND FASTING
MEMORY VERSE:
“Howbeit this kind goeth not but by prayer and fasting” – Matthew 17:13
TEXT: Luke 11: 1-13; Esther 4: 1-17; James 5: 13-18

3. SUMMARY (1)
Our previous study dealt with quiet time and family devotion:
Create a specific time for communion with God.
Important for spiritual growth and development
The study of today touches two related points:
Prayer: communion with God, seeking the face of God
Fasting: abstinence from food

4. SUMMARY (2) The pattern, practice and power of prayer and fasting:
Prayer and fasting are vital to successful Christian living.
Prayers can be made everywhere and every time. God expects consistency!
To receive answers we must pray to the Father, pray wholeheartedly, in faith, in righteousness (repentance and salvation), obedience and with a forgiving spirit
No hard rules on posture: bowing down, kneeling, bowing the head, weeping, talking, agonizing and groaning. Eyes should be closed to avoid distraction
Secret sin, stubbornness, doubt, self-indulgence and blood guiltiness can lead to unanswered prayers
Fasting helps to chasten the believer, crucify his appetite and makes prayer more powerful and effective (complements prayer). Fasting is not optional but imperative!
Fasting helps in times of judgment, worry, danger, trouble or during ministration
We do not need to fast to receive Christian experiences, avoid long fasting that can damage our health.
Elijah, Esther, Ahab, Moses, Ezra, Daniel and Jesus all got results with prayer and fasting

5. DISCUSSION

6. QUESTION 1 (a) Why is it necessary to pray ?
Psalm 42:1-2
(b) How often should we pray ?
I Thessalonians 5:17

7. QUESTION 2
Mention four people who observed prayers and fasting in the bible
Exodus 34:28
I Kings 21:27
Acts 9:9
Luke 4:2

8. QUESTION 3 (a) Mention three conditions for answered prayers
I John 3:22
Mark 11:24,25
Luke 18:1
(b) Mention three hindrances to answered prayers
Deuteronomy 1:43,45
Psalm 66:18
Zechariah 7:13

9. QUESTION 4 Mention four possible postures for prayer Psalm 95:6
I Timothy 2:8

10. QUESTION 5 Why is fasting imperative for all believers?
Matthew 6:16-18
II Chronicles 7:14

11. CONCLUSIONS
Believers can enjoy the fullness of heaven’s blessings on a continual basis if we practice the principles of prayer and fasting
Grace, victory and inestimable spiritual blessings can be obtained through prayer and fasting
Righteousness is the key to effectual prayer. “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” – James 5:16

12. TIME TO PRAY!