02-05-17 The Discipline of Fasting Part 3

“The Discipline of Fasting” Matthew 6:16-18
One of the great joys of life is eating good food. That explains why, of all the spiritual disciplines, fasting is probably one of the least popular. But the discipline of fasting is something which can greatly enrich our spiritual lives. In fact, Jesus says fasting can be very rewarding. What are the rewards of fasting? We looked at three last Sunday; we are looking at one more very important reward of fasting today:
I Fasting allows us to reach up to God as whole persons.
II Fasting gives us a concrete way to express repentance.
III Fasting provides a way to share in the sufferings of Christ.

IV Fasting helps our p____________.

-How can fasting assist our prayers?

A. First, we need to know that fasting cannot help our prayers by f___________ God to a____________.

B. There are several obvious ways in which fasting can help our prayer:

1. Fasting r___________ us to pray.

2. Fasting removes d_______________.

3. Fasting gives us confidence by making it clear that our h__________ is really in our prayer.

C. What kind of prayer calls for fasting?

1. We ought to fast when we pray for our ____________.

2. We ought to fast when we pray for the ___________.

3. We ought to fast as we pray for ______________.

4. We ought to fast as we pray for God’s K_________ w______ to be done by ___.