Fasting for Breakthrough i

I believe we are about to experience great revival but before the revival we are going to experience a time of tremendous spiritual warfare. 

I believe there are some miracles that we need to happen in this assembly. Some need healing, others need jobs, life partners and fruit of the womb etc. But more importantly we as a church MUST HAVE A BREAKTHROUGH OF NEW SOULS EXPERIENCING THE NEW BIRTH OF WATER AND SPIRIT.

With this in mind I want to take some time this Lenten period to teach about “Fasting For Breakthrough.”

Fasting is an act of SELF DENIAL. It is denying not only our body, but also our own wants. It is a way of saying that food and my desires are secondary to something else. Fasting is “afflicting one’s soul”. 

Jesus’ example of fasting

1. Jesus fasted for 40 days while he was being tempted in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-2)
2. Jesus assumed the disciples would fast. He did not say “IF” you fast but He said, “WHEN you fast…” (Mark 6:16-17).
3. Jesus told the disciples that after He had risen from the grave and ascended back to Heaven that the disciples would need to fast (Matt. 9: 14-15).
4. He taught us that when we fast we should expect God to be pleased and bless us (Matt. 6:18)
5. Jesus taught us that sometimes the only way that we will receive a miracle is to fast and pray (Matt. 17:14-23)

The Apostles after Christ

1. Acts 13:1-3 tells us that at the Antioch Church the prophets and teachers engaged in fasting:
   1. They prayed, worshipped the Lord and fasted.
   2. While they were fasting, the Holy Ghost spoke to them…
2. Acts 14:21-23 tells us that the Church at Galatia employed fasting as well:

In addition, before they appointed elders in the church they fasted and prayed.

Let’s get beyond the Book of Acts and see some more examples and teaching about fasting.

1. Paul used his example of fasting as proof of his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:27)
2. Paul told the Church at Corinth: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1)
   1. Paul was an example of sacrifice to the church. He exampled fasting to the church and I think he expected them to follow that example.

I think we can see from all of the scriptural evidence that we have an OBLIGATION to make FASTING a part of our walk with God.

This year the theme of the Lenten services is ‘The Miracles of Jesus Over Nature’. I beseech you all by the mercies of God, that we attend as much as we can all the Wednesday services and if he can the Friday Prayer Revivals at 6.30pm, and let us see Mighty Manifestations in our Mountain of Transformation.

God will see us through in Jesus name.

Your vicar and friend.

The Revd. Canon Kiri Wakama