Introduction: We will look at the importance of fasting linked with prayer, or intercession and evangelism.

What is Fasting?: Fasting can be described as the deliberate abstinence from food for the purpose on concentrated prayer. Normally fluids, at least water are taken during a fast.

Should All Christians Fast?: Unless there are valid medical reasons for not fasting, it appears that all disciples of the Lord Jesus are called to some form of fasting. In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord Jesus taught his disciples about fasting, and dealt with the motives for fasting, i.e. we should not do it to impress others. However He expected His disciples to fast. He said “When you fast ….” Not “If you fast” Read Matthew 6:16-18 The Lord Jesus Himself set an example for us in fasting which resulted in Him returning “In the power of the Spirit.” Read Luke 4: 1-2 & 14. In the scriptures we find that many famous bible characters were involved in periods of fasting, i.e. Moses, Samuel, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Paul to mention only a few.

What is the purpose of fasting?: Paster Yongi Cho has said “being full of the Holy Spirit does not necessarily cause one to walk in the power of the Spirit I believe the way in to power, especially in prayer, is to fast & pray.” The great preacher & founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, was so convinced about the need for fasting, that he refused to ordain any man for the ministry unless he would fast two days a week until 4pm. The bible indicates that fasting with prayer makes our “voice be heard on high.” Isaiah 58:4 There are many purposes connected with fasting, both individuals and groups.

To seek the Lord’s face, hear His voice; know His will in a matter. Judges 20:26

During repentance, 1Samuel 7:6-7 & to bring repentance.

When concerned for others. Daniel 6:18

Help defeat temptation. Matthew 4:1-2. Victory over sin.

In times of great personal testing & stress. Acts 9:8-12

For ministry direction & wisdom. Acts 13:1-3.

Laying aside ministry. Acts 14:23 

How do I Fast?: This depends upon you & your desires, your burdens & your circumstances. A fast could be one meal, a day, or several days. It is wise to start with a short fast of say one to three days & when you become accustomed to this, then a longer fast of say seven to ten days may be attempted if desired. In Daniel 10:2-3, we find that Daniel went on a partial fast of certain types of food. This type of limited fast may be necessary if you are engaged in constant physical work & need food for strength. Normally fluids are taken during a fast, at least water. It can damage your body to fast fluids for more than 48hrs.

Fasting Releases our Spiritual Desires: As we fast, we consciously put down our fleshly desires, seeking God to release our true Spiritual motivations. Desire for God to move is basic to our prayer life, Psalm37:4 says “Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” In Mark 11:24 “Whatever ye desire, when ye pray believe that ye receive them & ye shall have them.” After fasting most people experience a renewed clarity of thought & a freedom in prayer & desire for the things of God that is unusual. Fasting does break the Spiritual bonds that restrict us in our walk with God. These bands of wickedness can be broken from our lives & free us to serve God more whole heartedly. Read Isaiah 58: 6-7 

"And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:” Joel 2:28.

 “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint (dwell carelessly).” Prov: 29:18

Introduction: In order to become a mature man or women of God we need to have a purpose in our life and specific goals which we are working towards.  

We need to have a God – Given dream or vision which provides direction, purpose, meaning and fulfilment for our Christian life.

Taking the First Step: If you have not already done so, take the following steps in the immediate future.   

1. Prayerfully establish visions in the six areas (See Below).

2. Break down each vision into several practical steps or goals that you can take in the immediate future.

3. Implement with God’s help and direction the action necessary to achieve each of the immediate goals you have determined.

Paul a man of Vision: One of the outstanding characters of the New Testament, Paul of Tarsus, was a real Man of Vision.  

The wonderful success of Paul’s ministry is summed up in his statement to King Agrippa in Acts 26:19, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.”  

God spoke to Paul in a number of situations and gave him specific direction for his activities.  

Read the following Scriptures dealing with Paul’s heavenly direction through visions:

Vision of Christ, Acts:9:3-6; 26:13-15

Missionary Vision, Acts:16:9-10

Vision of Testimony, Acts:18:9-10

Vision of warning, Acts:22:18-21

Vision of work in capital of the world, Acts:23:11

Vision of encouragement in the storm, Acts:27:22-24

Vision of Paradise , 2 Cor:12:1-4  

Six Areas of Vision for our Lives: The deeper the desire within our heart to serve God, the more we will attempt to establish a proper vision covering all the important areas of life.  
Six areas of vision dealt with in the bible are as follows:

A vision for my personal life, Phil: 3: 8-15, ESP. v.14.

A vision for my family, Joshua: 24:15

A vision for work within the church to which I belong, Acts: 2: 42-47

A vision for the town in which I live, Jer: 29:7

A vision for the nation in which I live, Prov: 14:34

A vision for the whole world, Matt: 24: 14, Jn: 3: 16  

Clearly the areas of vision within our own lives need to be “soaked in Prayer.” If we have truly repented, then our lives are at God’s disposal to direct us as He pleases.  It is not so much a matter of us asking what God can do for us but of us seeking God to see what we can do for Him.  

Breaking down the Vision: Once we have sought God and found His overall direction or calling in a certain area of vision, then we need to break that down into the smaller intermediate steps to achieve that Vision, e.g. a young man preparing to leave High School may feel called to work in the business world. This general calling needs further clarification to determine which industry or area of professional work he specifically identifies with. If he wants to be say an accountant, then he needs to prepare his subject choices in line with preparing himself for further studies at either a technical college or university, in order to become a qualified accountant, etc., etc.  

A married couple may wish, on becoming Christians, to send their children to a Christian School . This may involve re-arranging their finances and priorities in order to achieve this important and worthwhile new direction.

Over coming Frustration: When there is no apparent spiritual goal for our lives of missionary or platform ministry nature, then we can still fulfill a very important role within the local church.  

God gives vision to the local church eldership and we can find real direction and fulfillment by working to establish that vision for our church and local community.  

In a practical sense, we should examine our talents and abilities, both naturally and spiritually, and then offer these abilities for use within the local church. For most folk this is the way they will find their area of fulfilment.