Fasting: Seeking God's Face for Transformation

 

Summary

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that invites us to seek God's face rather than His hand. It is a practice that humbles us before God, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our lives. When we fast with the right motives, we open ourselves to hear from heaven, and God promises to heal our lives, our churches, and even our nation. The Bible is filled with examples of people who humbled themselves through fasting and prayer, leading to revival and healing across entire lands.

James 4:6 reminds us that God gives grace to the humble, and fasting is a way to humble ourselves before Him. It is a sacrifice that costs us something, but it moves the heart of God. As we embark on this 10-day fast, we are called to seek God's face, to know Him more deeply, and to understand His character and promises. This fast is not just about abstaining from food but about feeding our spirits with His Word and presence.

There are different types of fasts, such as normal, partial, and rotational fasts. Each person can choose what works best for them, but the key is to approach fasting with a heart that seeks God. It's not about following a formula but about coming to God with sincerity and humility. Even if we falter, God's grace is sufficient to help us continue.

Fasting is a time to pray for protection, fulfillment of God's promises, and deliverance from captivity. It is a time to hear God's voice clearly and to see His glory and goodness. As we fast, we are reminded that nothing is higher or stronger than the faith we have in Christ. With even a mustard seed of faith, we can move mountains and see the kingdom of darkness fall.

As we enter this fast, let us approach God with our whole hearts, seeking His face and trusting His hand. In doing so, we will experience His transformative power and celebrate the victories He brings into our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Seeking God's Face: Fasting is about seeking God's face, not just His hand. It is a spiritual discipline that humbles us and opens us to hear from heaven. When we fast with the right motives, God promises to heal our lives and our land. [01:49]

2. Types of Fasts: There are various types of fasts, such as normal, partial, and rotational. Each person can choose what works best for them, but the key is to approach fasting with sincerity and humility, not as a formula. [05:38]

3. Prayer and Protection: Fasting is a time to pray for protection and fulfillment of God's promises. It is a time to seek deliverance from captivity and to hear God's voice clearly. [18:04]

4. Faith and Mountains: With even a mustard seed of faith, we can move mountains and see the kingdom of darkness fall. Fasting strengthens our faith and allows us to see God's power at work in our lives. [24:05]

5. Approaching God with Heart: God looks at our hearts, not our formulas. As we fast, let us approach God with sincerity, seeking His face and trusting His hand. In doing so, we will experience His transformative power. [32:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:49] - The Purpose of Fasting
- [03:30] - Humbling Ourselves Before God
- [05:38] - Types of Fasts
- [10:39] - Attainable Goals in Fasting
- [18:04] - Prayer for Protection and Promises
- [24:05] - Faith to Move Mountains
- [30:37] - Our Position in Christ
- [32:12] - The Woman with the Issue of Blood
- [32:51] - Approaching God with Heart
- [35:42] - Grace Over Formula
- [37:13] - God Turns Nothing into Something
- [39:40] - Denying the Flesh
- [43:50] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Reading:

1. James 4:6 - "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"
2. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
3. Matthew 17:20 - "He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'"

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Observation Questions:

1. According to James 4:6, what is the relationship between humility and grace? How does this relate to the practice of fasting? [01:49]

2. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, what are the conditions God sets for healing the land? How does fasting help fulfill these conditions? [03:30]

3. What does Matthew 17:20 suggest about the power of faith, even if it is as small as a mustard seed? How does this relate to the sermon’s message on fasting and faith? [24:05]

4. What are the different types of fasts mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ from each other? [05:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the act of humbling oneself through fasting align with the promise of grace in James 4:6? What might this look like in a believer's life? [01:49]

2. In what ways does seeking God's face, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 7:14, differ from seeking His hand? How can this distinction impact one's spiritual life? [03:30]

3. How can the concept of faith as small as a mustard seed, as described in Matthew 17:20, encourage believers during a fast? What does this imply about the potential outcomes of fasting? [24:05]

4. The sermon mentions that fasting is not about following a formula but about sincerity and humility. How can this perspective change the way one approaches fasting? [32:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you sought God's hand rather than His face. How can you shift your focus during this fast to seek a deeper relationship with Him? [01:49]

2. What specific area of your life do you need to humble before God to receive His grace? How can fasting help you in this process? [01:49]

3. Consider the different types of fasts mentioned. Which type resonates with you, and how can you incorporate it into your spiritual practice during this 10-day fast? [05:38]

4. How can you use this fasting period to pray for protection and the fulfillment of God's promises in your life and community? [18:04]

5. Identify a "mountain" in your life that you need faith to move. How can fasting strengthen your faith to see this mountain moved? [24:05]

6. How can you ensure that your approach to fasting is sincere and not just a formulaic practice? What steps can you take to maintain a heart-focused fast? [32:51]

7. What practical steps can you take to deny the flesh and focus on spiritual growth during this fasting period? How can this lead to lasting change in your life? [39:40]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Seeking God's Face Over His Hand
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that shifts our focus from seeking God's blessings to seeking His presence. It is an invitation to humble ourselves before God, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our lives. When we fast with the right motives, we open ourselves to hear from heaven, and God promises to heal our lives, our churches, and even our nation. This practice is not about what we can get from God but about knowing Him more deeply and understanding His character and promises. As we embark on this journey, let us remember that fasting is about seeking God's face, not just His hand. [01:49]

"For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: 'Seek me and live; but do not seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal or cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nothing.'" (Amos 5:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from seeking God's blessings to seeking His presence in your daily life?


Day 2: Embracing the Diversity of Fasting
There are various types of fasts, such as normal, partial, and rotational. Each person can choose what works best for them, but the key is to approach fasting with sincerity and humility, not as a formula. Fasting is a personal journey, and it's important to find a method that aligns with your spiritual needs and physical capabilities. The heart of fasting is not in the method but in the intention behind it. Even if we falter, God's grace is sufficient to help us continue. Let us embrace the diversity of fasting and approach it with a heart that seeks God. [05:38]

"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?" (Isaiah 58:6, ESV)

Reflection: What type of fast resonates with you, and how can you approach it with sincerity and humility this week?


Day 3: Praying for Protection and Promises
Fasting is a time to pray for protection and the fulfillment of God's promises. It is a time to seek deliverance from captivity and to hear God's voice clearly. As we fast, we are reminded of the power of prayer and the importance of aligning our desires with God's will. This spiritual discipline allows us to focus on God's promises and seek His guidance in our lives. Let us use this time to pray for protection, fulfillment, and deliverance, trusting that God hears our prayers and responds in His perfect timing. [18:04]

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." (Psalm 50:15, ESV)

Reflection: What specific promise from God are you praying for during this fast, and how can you trust Him to fulfill it?


Day 4: Faith to Move Mountains
With even a mustard seed of faith, we can move mountains and see the kingdom of darkness fall. Fasting strengthens our faith and allows us to see God's power at work in our lives. It is a time to focus on the strength of our faith and the power of God to overcome any obstacle. As we fast, let us remember that nothing is higher or stronger than the faith we have in Christ. With faith, we can see the impossible become possible and witness the transformative power of God in our lives. [24:05]

"And Jesus answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, "Be taken up and thrown into the sea," it will happen.'" (Matthew 21:21, ESV)

Reflection: What is one "mountain" in your life that you need faith to move, and how can fasting help strengthen your faith in this area?


Day 5: Approaching God with a Sincere Heart
God looks at our hearts, not our formulas. As we fast, let us approach God with sincerity, seeking His face and trusting His hand. In doing so, we will experience His transformative power. Fasting is not about following a set of rules but about coming to God with an open and humble heart. It is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Him and to experience His grace and love in new ways. Let us approach this fast with our whole hearts, trusting that God will meet us where we are and lead us into a deeper understanding of His will. [32:51]

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that your heart is sincere as you approach God during this fast, and what steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?

Quotes

"When God's people fast with, I feel like with the proper motive, it's really seeking God's face and not his hand. And so I want to talk about seeking God's face, and it's very important whenever we seek his face. And I say it instead of seeking God's face, instead of his hand, it's seeking. It's very important that whenever we seek his face. And that's what it does. Through prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit can transform our lives. And I think it's important that we have our lives transformed." [00:00:39] (37 seconds)


"And we begin to seek God's faith and not his hand. How do we do that? With a broken, repentant, contrite spirit, we will hear from heaven. God will answer our prayers. He will heal our lives. God can heal our churches. God can heal our nation. And God can heal our world. How many of you know that this nation needs to be healed and this world needs to be healed? We need a touch from the Lord. And I'm glad to see people humbling ourselves before the Lord and seeing the things that God is doing." [00:01:20] (29 seconds)


"Fasting and prayer can bring about revival to an entire nation. And the Bible's full of people, and we'll look at a few today, that just begin to humble. Humble their self and seek God. And God will heal an entire land." [00:01:49] (17 seconds)


"he gives grace to the humble. He resists the proud to give grace to the humble. I want to kind of start with that scripture because it's important to know that whenever you fast, that you are humbling yourself before God. You humble yourself before God. And it's very important that whenever we humble ourselves to him, that whenever we're not, whenever we, you know, we have to be careful of doing things the way we just feel like it should be done." [00:02:12] (29 seconds)


"And this is one of the biggest benefits of fasting is that we just humble ourselves before God. It hurts. It costs us something. If we don't like doing anything else, at the church of 2025, we love to eat. And not only love to eat, we love to eat what we want to eat. I know I do." [00:02:41] (18 seconds)


"That's how, that's, that's people who are called by his name. We think we're called by his name because we show up at church. Well, I'm glad you're here, but sometimes we wonder why we're here and God, he'll do great things. If my people, God calls us his people when we humble ourselves and we pray and we seek his face." [00:03:57] (22 seconds)


"God moves us into a place to receive from him. And if I don't want to see anything else, that's why, uh, the last day of the prayer where on the 21st, on the 22nd, on that Wednesday, we're going to be, we're going to be, we're going to be on that Wednesday night. We're going to, we're going to have a prayer and praise service. We opened up with praise like we always do, but we're going to join in here together and we're going to, we're going to receive from God. We're going to thank him because I believe God's going to do some great things in these 10 days. Amen. Give the Lord a hand clap of praise. If you believe that, um," [00:05:38] (35 seconds)


"Most of the time, children don't really participate in the fast as far as what they do. Especially where our HP kids. But they know that their family is. And they're learning it. You're really teaching them that. So don't get too dogmatic about that as well. Let me talk about 10 days. He's coming back in my spirit. I think one thing I believe. One thing I believe that God is doing in 2025 is attainable goals. And seeing attainable goals happen in your life. Whatever you believe in God for. Whatever you're trusting God for." [00:10:05] (34 seconds)


"And the 10 days just stuck out. I was going to go 21. And I just kept sticking with the 21 day as far as a corporate fast. Because I believe that's an attainable goal. And I believe that everyone can do it. And I really want this to be corporate. I want everybody to take these 10 days, even starting today. And have an attainable goal. It's just something you can do. It is. And I'll be honest with you. I'm a celebrator. I love celebrating. I love the end. A lot better than the beginning. I'll be so happy and tickled on Wednesday night on the 22nd when we're done. And I'll look back. I'll be, oh, thank you, Lord, for letting us do this." [00:10:39] (36 seconds)


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Transcript
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