Why Pray & Fast?
Let’s look at a biblical context for it:
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,[a] Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
1. It was after Christ’s coming.
The apparent answer is that Saul and Barnabas counted fasting
2. By a Group Together
This fasting was done by a group together.
A church-wide fast is called in Matthew 6, Just as we are calling for a 5 day fast on February 5-10.
Evidently the church leaders see it is a sin if our motive is to be known for our fasting and look more faithful. Group fasting has marked God’s people in both biblical and post-biblical times.
3. An Occasion for the Spirit’s Special Guidance
This fasting proved to be an occasion for the Spirit’s special guidance.
Luke wants us to see a connection between the worship, prayer, and fasting for guidance from the Holy Spirit.
4. Changed the Course of History
This fasting changed the course of history.
Before this word from the Holy Spirit there seems to have been no organized mission of the church beyond this footprint.This moment of prayer and fasting resulted in a missions movement that would make Christianity the dominant religion of the Roman Empire within two and a half centuries and would yield 1.3 billion adherents of the Christian religion today.
If God could use prayer and fasting to launch the church I think He can use it today for our church as we stand poised to be a launching point with the gospel in our city.
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