ITS SOBER TIME AGAIN BETWEEN U AND GOD. BELOVED LET ME LECTURE YOU ALL ON WHAT WE MEAN BY LENT. -WHAT IS LENT:-Lent is a period or season set aside for sober reflection,supplication & intercessory. -WHAT ARE THE NEED FOR LENTEN SEASON:- * To bring to remembrance the sacrifice of jesus during his earthly ministry. * To bring us closer to God (2 Chron 20:3,Jam 4:8) * To seek the mercy of God & ask for forgiveness of sin(1 Sam 7:56) -WHAT IS FASTING & PRAYER:- it is a period set aside to abstain from food,drink & ungodly characters in other to pray to God,Abstinence helps us to gain mastery of ourselves in other to be attuned with heaven. -THE NEED FOR FASTING & PRAYER AS CHRISTAINS:- * For repentance.jonah 3:8,1 sam,14:24 * For divine direction.1 kings 19:1-8 * For Gods help in time of challenges.Ezra 8:21-23,Nehemiah 1:4-11 * For spiritual growth & strength.Acts 10:30 * To change Gods mind.2 Sam.12:16-23 -ORIGIN OF FASTING & PRAYER:- * Fasting & prayer is as old as the bible but for the purpose of this lecture,we will point out the major people that fasted in the bible,They are as follows: *MOSES.he fasted for 40 days for the commandment.Ex.34:28. *ELIJAH.he fasted for 40 days for divine direction over jezebel.1 kings 19:1-8 *JESUS.he fasted for 40 days for salvation of mankind.Matt.4.2. -IMPORTANT TIPS ABOUT FASTING & PRAYER:- * it makes one abstain from something to make him communicate with God. * it is between you & God * it is secret.it should not be announced * Fasting should be accompanied with prayer -THE BEST WAY TO FAST & PRAY:-fasting & prayer is something that is between you & God.However,these can help you to gain better result from God.Matt.6:6-16 *Having a cheerful countenance/appearance *helping the poor & less privileged ones *cancelling depts *freeing the oppressed *pray with faith *giving food to the hungry -THINGS TO AVOID DURING FASTING & PRAYER:-these are some killer of fasting & prayer that we need to avoid.And they are:- *Sin *Unforgiveness *Bitterness *Vengeance -THINGS THAT AID FASTING & PRAYERS TO GET BETTER RESULT:- *Alms giving (Acts 10:4) *Righteousness (Ps 65:5,106:3) *Executing justice & impartiality in judgement *praying with thanksgiving & understanding -THE BENEFITS OF FASTING & PRAYER:- *Gaining spiritual insight(Ps.27:4) *Gaining spiritual power(Matt.4) *Getting divine healing *Receiving answers to your prayers *Gaining spiritual direction(1 king 19:1-8) *Getting divine provision.(Phil.4:6) Fasting & prayer is the only way to put your body into subjection to gain acces to heaven. Be serious so you can rejoice at the end.THANKS!!!
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 10:00:05 +0000