| Prayer & Fasting: Plugging into Holy Spirit Empowerment |
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| Written by David Charlton | ||
Acts 1:14
All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Acts 13:2-3
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 14:23
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.
Mark 9:14-29 Summary and Purpose Summary: Whenever something great happened in the early church, it was always preceded by corporate prayer and this was often accompanied by fasting. When we pray and fast as one body, we seek to surrender ourselves to God’s will. When we do this, we invite the Holy Spirit to empower us to do what God wants us to do. During Lent we will have the opportunity to participate in corporate prayer and fasting. It’s called the ‘Acts 29 covenant’. The year 2010 is presenting us with opportunities that will affect how we serve Christ in the surrounding community. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to make sure we take advantage of the right opportunities. Please participate in the ‘Acts 29 covenant’ and invite the Holy Spirit to empower us to do ministry. Purpose: To encourage the congregation to participate in the ‘Acts 29 covenant’. The Sermon I. Introduction: The story of Jesus healing a demon possessed boy (Mark 9:14-29) 1. When Jesus, Peter, James and John returned from an extraordinary religious
experience, they found the rest of the disciples arguing with some scribes.
2. The argument was about why the disciples couldn’t heal a demon possessed boy.
The disciples should have been able to heal the boy because Jesus gave them
power to cast out demons (Mark 6:7 & 13).
3. When Jesus successfully healed the boy, they asked him why they couldn’t do it.
Jesus replied, “This kind can come out only through prayer.”
4. What if, instead of attempting to cast out the demon as individuals, they simply
prayed corporately? There is power in corporate prayer.
5. The Apostles didn’t understand the power of corporate prayer while Jesus walked
with them. They did, however, begin to understand its power after Jesus
ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to empower the church.
II. The practice of corporate prayer throughout the Book of Acts 1. I counted 15 instances when the church practiced corporate prayer. In every case,
either the church was empowered to do God’s work or some miraculous event
occurred.
2. Take Acts 1:14 – “All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer,
together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” As
a result of this act of corporate prayer, the Holy Spirit descended upon the earth.
3. Acts 4:31 – “When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered
together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the
word of God with boldness” As a result of this act of corporate prayer, they were
empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak with boldness in the face of persecution.
4. Remember, Jesus said, “Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about
anything you ask, it will be done for youby my Father in heaven. For where two or
three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
5. They often complemented corporate prayer with fasting
III. The practice of corporate fasting in the Book of Acts 1. Acts 13:2-3 – “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit
said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called
them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent
them off.” As a result of praying and fasting, the Holy Spirit provided guidance.
2. Acts 14:23 – “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with
prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.”
Through prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit empowered the commissioned Elders.
3. Note that in Matthew 6:16 Jesus says “When you fast…” not “If you fast…” Jesus
expects us to fast.
4. So, what is fasting and what does it do?
IV. Fasting 1. It’s giving up something desirable for a period of time. Most common type of
fasting is fasting from food but it can be from other desires.
2. What fasting does
3. To demonstrate the truth that God should be our ultimate desire, I’m asking Linda
to give a short testimony.
V. The opportunity to participate in corporate prayer and fasting: The “Acts 29
Covenant”
1. Starts Feb 17 (Ash Wed.) and ends _____
2. Two parts to this covenant: Praying and fasting
3. Praying part: Following the book “Acts 29: Fifty Days of Prayer to Invite the Holy
Spirit”
4. Fasting part: Give up something extremely desirable. If your fast saves you time,
use your extra time to pray and study Scripture. If your fast saves you money,
donate that money to the “Seed Money Account to hire children and youth ministry
directors”
5. Sign up now to receive the book “Acts 29: Fifty Days of Prayer to Invite the Holy
Spirit” by 14 February.
6. We have many ministry opportunities ahead of us. We need discernment from the
Holy Spirit on how to take advantage of these opportunities. Please participate in
the “Acts 29 Covenant” to invite the Holy Spirit to guide us.
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