Fasting

1. We are called to fast it is not an option

2. Fasting changes your situation

3. Fasting opens your heart to Gods response

* God may respond in various ways

There is a certain level of darkness against one's life that will not be ousted without prayer and fasting.

Matthew 9:29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer] and fasting.”

Fasting adds a greater level of power to our prayer life which brings us from the weakness of the flesh into the strength of our spirit.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Fasting gives you direct access to the voice of God in your spirit. Certainly, as we fast according to the will of God we will receive a divine answer in due season

Isaiah 58:9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

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Saul didn't yet know the Lord personally and therefore Christ had no intentions of speaking with him any further. Jesus went as far as to rebuke Saul as he was on his path of murder that he went blind. When Saul asked a question; God made it clear to him in verse 6 that further instructions will be given to him later. It's likely Jesus wasn't interested in any more conversation until there was repentance.

Acts 9

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Since Paul fasted we know God had to respond. We saw a fast like this in (Esther 4:16) When the Jewish nation faced extermination and God answered by Saving his people out of the hand of the enemy. Fasting and prayer will change your situation for the better.

7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

GOD RESPONDED TO PAUL'S FASTING AND PRAYER BY SENDING ANANIAS TO SURE UP HIS HEART AND OPEN HIS EYES.

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”