Empowered Through Prayer and Fasting: A New Year’s Dedication

 

Summary

As we step into the new year, it's crucial to prioritize God by dedicating the first part of our year to Him through prayer and fasting. This spiritual discipline is not just a tradition but a powerful practice that aligns us with God's will and empowers us to face the challenges of the year ahead. By setting aside these 21 days, we are expressing our dependence on God, seeking His presence, and inviting His power to work in and through us.

Prayer and fasting are about more than just abstaining from food; they are about refocusing our hearts and minds on God. In Mark 9, we see the disciples unable to cast out a demon because they lacked the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting. Jesus highlights that some breakthroughs can only be achieved through these practices. Similarly, in 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced overwhelming odds but called the nation to fast and pray, resulting in a miraculous victory. These stories remind us that prayer and fasting are essential for accessing God's power and experiencing His intervention in our lives.

As we embark on this journey, we must admit our weaknesses and allow prayer and fasting to sharpen our focus on God. Like a dull blade that needs sharpening, our spiritual lives can become ineffective without regular discipline. Prayer and fasting strip away distractions, making our prayers more intentional and our faith stronger. They transform fear into trust, as seen in Jehoshaphat's response to fear by seeking the Lord.

Moreover, prayer and fasting are acts of worship that send our praise ahead of the battles we will face. They silence the enemy and prepare us for the challenges of the year. By dedicating this time to God, we are ensuring that our strength and focus come from Him alone. As we worship and seek God, we can trust Him to turn our valleys into blessings, just as He did for Judah.

Finally, prayer and fasting cultivate humility and dependence on God. They remind us that we are utterly reliant on His strength and guidance. As we slow down and dwell in His presence, we open ourselves to His transformative work in our lives. Let us commit to this spiritual discipline, trusting that God will lead us into a year of breakthrough and blessing.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognize the Source of True Power: Prayer and fasting are not just religious activities but are vital for accessing God's power. They enable us to tap into a spiritual strength that is otherwise unavailable, as demonstrated by Jesus in Mark 9. [01:01:54]

2. Admit Weakness and Refocus on God: Like Jehoshaphat, admitting our weaknesses and turning to God through prayer and fasting sharpens our focus and reminds us of our dependence on Him. This practice strips away distractions and strengthens our faith. [01:08:27]

3. Transform Fear into Trust: Prayer and fasting can transform fear into trust, as seen in Jehoshaphat's response to overwhelming odds. This discipline stirs our faith and reminds us of God's power and our reliance on Him. [01:10:10]

4. Send Worship Ahead of Battles: By dedicating time to prayer and fasting, we send our worship ahead of the battles we will face, ensuring that our strength and focus come from God alone. This act of worship silences the enemy and prepares us for victory. [01:16:27]

5. Cultivate Humility and Dependence: Prayer and fasting cultivate humility and dependence on God, reminding us that we are reliant on His strength and guidance. This practice allows God to work deeply within us, transforming our hearts and minds. [01:24:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:54] - Introduction and Announcements
- [54:45] - Vision and Purpose of the Church
- [57:10] - Importance of Prayer and Fasting
- [59:41] - The Power of Prayer and Fasting
- [01:03:17] - Biblical Examples of Fasting
- [01:05:29] - Spiritual Reset through Fasting
- [01:07:27] - Admitting Weakness and Seeking God
- [01:10:10] - Transforming Fear into Trust
- [01:12:48] - Slowing Down the Chaos
- [01:15:26] - Worship as a Weapon
- [01:18:06] - Turning Valleys into Blessings
- [01:21:21] - The Importance of Spiritual Hygiene
- [01:24:07] - Staying Humble and Dependent
- [01:27:37] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Mark 9:14-29
- 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

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Observation Questions:

1. In Mark 9, what was the reason given by Jesus for the disciples' inability to cast out the demon? [01:01:54]
2. How did King Jehoshaphat respond to the threat of the invading armies in 2 Chronicles 20? [01:03:17]
3. What role did worship play in the battle strategy of Jehoshaphat's army? [01:15:26]
4. How does the sermon describe the effect of prayer and fasting on our spiritual focus and strength? [01:08:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Jesus' statement about prayer and fasting in Mark 9 suggest about the nature of spiritual power and discipline? [01:01:54]
2. How does Jehoshaphat's decision to call for a fast reflect his understanding of dependence on God? [01:07:27]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer and fasting can transform fear into trust? [01:10:10]
4. How might the act of sending worship ahead of battles, as seen in 2 Chronicles 20, be applied to personal challenges today? [01:16:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenge without relying on prayer and fasting. How might the outcome have been different if you had incorporated these disciplines? [01:01:54]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel weak or overwhelmed. How can you use prayer and fasting to refocus on God and seek His strength? [01:08:27]
3. Consider a fear or anxiety you are currently experiencing. How can you intentionally use prayer and fasting to transform that fear into trust in God? [01:10:10]
4. What are some practical ways you can send your worship ahead of the battles you anticipate facing this year? [01:16:27]
5. How can you cultivate humility and dependence on God in your daily life through prayer and fasting? What specific steps will you take this week? [01:24:07]
6. Think about a "valley" you are currently walking through. How can you trust God to turn it into a blessing, and what role will prayer and fasting play in this process? [01:18:06]
7. As you dedicate the first part of this year to God, what specific distractions will you strip away to sharpen your spiritual focus? [01:08:27]

Devotional

Day 1: Accessing Divine Power through Spiritual Discipline
Prayer and fasting are not merely religious rituals; they are profound spiritual disciplines that connect us to God's power. In Mark 9, Jesus emphasizes that certain spiritual breakthroughs can only be achieved through prayer and fasting. These practices open a channel for divine strength, allowing us to face life's challenges with a power that is beyond our own. By dedicating time to these disciplines, we align ourselves with God's will and invite His intervention in our lives. This alignment is crucial as we navigate the uncertainties of the year, ensuring that we are not relying solely on our own abilities but tapping into the limitless power of God. [01:01:54]

Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"

Reflection: What specific area in your life do you need God's power to intervene? How can you incorporate prayer and fasting to seek His strength in this area today?


Day 2: Embracing Weakness to Find Strength in God
Acknowledging our weaknesses is the first step toward spiritual growth. Like King Jehoshaphat, who faced overwhelming odds, we must turn to God through prayer and fasting to sharpen our focus and strengthen our faith. This practice strips away distractions, allowing us to see our dependence on God more clearly. By admitting our limitations, we open ourselves to God's transformative power, which can turn our weaknesses into strengths. This humility is not a sign of defeat but a pathway to divine empowerment. [01:08:27]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: Identify a weakness you have been trying to overcome on your own. How can you invite God into this struggle through prayer and fasting?


Day 3: Transforming Fear into Trust through Faith
Prayer and fasting have the power to transform fear into trust. When faced with daunting challenges, like Jehoshaphat, we can choose to seek God and allow our faith to be stirred. This discipline reminds us of God's power and our reliance on Him, shifting our perspective from fear to trust. By focusing on God's promises and His past faithfulness, we can face our fears with confidence, knowing that He is with us and for us. [01:10:10]

Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV): "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"

Reflection: What fear are you currently facing that you need to surrender to God? How can prayer and fasting help you trust Him more in this situation?


Day 4: Worship as a Prelude to Victory
Dedicating time to prayer and fasting is an act of worship that sends our praise ahead of the battles we will face. This practice ensures that our strength and focus come from God alone, silencing the enemy and preparing us for victory. By worshiping God through these disciplines, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His presence into our circumstances. This act of worship is not just preparation for battle but a declaration of trust in God's ability to turn our challenges into triumphs. [01:16:27]

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (ESV): "And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.' And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed."

Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine as a way to prepare for the challenges you face? What specific battle are you trusting God to give you victory over?


Day 5: Cultivating Humility and Dependence on God
Prayer and fasting cultivate humility and dependence on God, reminding us that we are reliant on His strength and guidance. As we slow down and dwell in His presence, we open ourselves to His transformative work in our lives. This practice allows us to let go of our self-reliance and embrace a posture of humility, acknowledging that we need God's wisdom and direction. By committing to this spiritual discipline, we position ourselves to receive God's blessings and breakthroughs in the year ahead. [01:24:07]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with self-reliance? How can you practice humility and dependence on God through prayer and fasting this week?

Quotes

"Prayer and fasting are not just optional activities for desperate times. Now, obviously, this was a desperate time for Jehoshaphat, right? This was a desperate moment. And that's okay. But it's not just an optional activity for desperate times. It's a fundamental discipline for accessing God's power in our life every single day." [01:06:06] (25 seconds)


"So point number one was, we got to recognize the source of true power that comes through prayer and fasting. Number two, we got to admit our weakness and let prayer and fasting refocus us on the Lord. This is part of that reset that I'm talking about there." [01:06:24] (17 seconds)


"Interestingly enough then, we got Jehoshaphat on the other hand, which is hundreds and hundreds of years earlier. He gets it. Jehoshaphat has this enormous challenge in front of him. The odds are greatly stacked against him. And what does he do? He calls the entire nation together to fast and to pray because he understood something that even Jesus' disciples didn't understand." [01:04:12] (26 seconds)


"Starting your year with prayer and fasting is like sending your worship ahead of the battle. Before the battle comes. There are battles that you will face this year. But as we spend these first few weeks specifically intentionally seeking God, we're sending our worship and praise ahead of those battles that will be." [01:16:27] (21 seconds)


"Watch God transform valleys into blessings through prayer and fasting. Watch God turn valleys into prayer and fasting. How many of you know that we walk through valleys? David describes it, yea though I walk through what? The valley of the shadow of death. We walk through valleys in this life. He never said we'd be rescued from the valleys." [01:17:57] (21 seconds)


"Therefore the name of the place was called the Valley of Baracha until this day. Guys, when you learn and implement the spiritual discipline of worship through prayer and fasting, it gives God the opportunity to turn your valleys, your trials into blessings in your life." [01:20:18] (19 seconds)


"Stay humble and dependent on God through prayer and fasting. Stay humble. How many of y 'all love that? Stay humble. If somebody comes to you and gives you a word, I feel like you need to stay humble. Oh, be quiet. You know, what's wrong with you? Stay humble. I am humble. What are you talking about?" [01:23:14] (17 seconds)


"Prayer and fasting forces us to do just that, to slow down, to dwell in his presence. And how many of you know in the rush of daily life, we risk missing his guidance and his blessing? And by dedicating time to prayer and fasting, we can do just that. Prayer and fasting, we allow him to work deeply within us, transforming our hearts, transforming our minds, and making us victorious and prosperous in every area of life." [01:27:54] (29 seconds)


"Prayer and fasting are not just spiritual practice. They're really lifelines to connect with God's power and to prepare us for breakthrough. So whether you're facing overwhelming battles that are coming ahead of you like Jehoshaphat did, or whether you're struggling with unbelief like the father of this son that Jesus ministered to, or whether you're seeking direction, guys, here's the deal. Prayer and fasting needs to be your foundation." [01:29:34] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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