REFLECTIONS ON WHAT LENT SHOULD TEACH US Matt. 4:1-2

Many ask why we should fast and we have had so many teachings on this but this is what we learnt today

It should also be noted that, wherever the word fasting is used, it goes with prayer

1. Fasting is a spiritual act that helps us gain access and strength from the Lord. How? When Jesus was up there for forty days, he prayed through his assignment and submitted himself to the father.

2. We can deduce that every time it was mentioned in the Bible, it was related to major turning points in peoples lives. Thus, any time we foresee that we are entering into a 'new sphere', it is necessary for us to fast (Starting a new job, working on a new assignment, dealing with a problem, etc)

3. Fasting is always done to address a specific issue; it should not be institutionalized in such a way to make it mundane, as the Pharisees made it. As is evidence in the Bible, whenever true fasting took place there was clear cut result(s). Check yourself if you are not getting results

4. V2: Right after fasting, the flesh kicked in, Devil showed up, but Christ was ready because his spirit was sensitized to the Holy Spirit. So he he had the right word for every occasion. That is what it does, it makes us sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost

5. We should see fasting as a movement, whenever there is a movement, CHANGE is observed. True fasting yields results!

6. What then is true fasting? True fasting is a lifestyle, a character one possesses: Holiness, uprightness, justice, love, mercy, joy, patience, forgiveness, kindness, etc that is exhibited in our daily life. When Christians apply themselves to such virtues, plus staying away from the needs of the flesh boy something happens.

7. Bible evidence shows that every time a true fast was involved, there was a manifestation of the SUPERNATURAL (see ref at bottom). Do you want the supernatural in your life?

8. Most of us have lost sight of our priority. We tend to think that our strength is in our physical attributes, however, that is a misconception. Our true strength and abilities lies in the spirit (Eph 6). Hence, the importance of fasting. We build ourselves up in this holy character to become better persons in our true self (the spirit)

9. We should remember, The Character (fruits) is the driving force behind the act, it is the open doorway to walking in the presence, authority and power of God. It takes time to build, but it is always worth the while. Let us work more on the character than the charisma. THE CHARACTER WILL PRODUCE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT CHARISMA!

"Moses fasted 40 days on behalf of Israel’s sin: Deuteronomy 9:9, 18, 25-29; 10:10.
David fasted and mourned the death of Saul: 2 Samuel 1:12.
David fasted and mourned the death of Abner: 2 Samuel 3:35.
David fasted and mourned the death of his child: 2 Samuel 12:16.
Elijah fasted 40 days after fleeing from Jezebel: 1 Kings 19:7-18.
Ahab fasted and humbled himself before God: 1 Kings 21:27-29.
Darius fasted in concern for Daniel: Daniel 6:18-24.
Daniel fasted on behalf of Judah's sin while reading Jeremiah’s prophecy: Daniel 9:1-19.
Daniel fasted regarding a mysterious vision from God: Daniel 10:3-13.
Esther fasted on behalf of her people: Esther 4:13-16.
Ezra fasted and wept for the sins of the returning remnant: Ezra 10:6-17.
Nehemiah fasted and mourned over the broken walls of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 1:4-2:10.
The people of Ninevah fasted after hearing the message of Jonah: Jonah 3.
Anna fasted for the redemption of Jerusalem through the coming Messiah: Luke 2:37.
Jesus fasted 40 days before his temptation and the beginning of his ministry: Matthew 4:1-11.
The disciples of John the Baptist fasted: Matthew 9:14-15.
The elders in Antioch fasted before sending off Paul and Barnabas: Acts 13:1-5.
Cornelius fasted and sought God’s plan of salvation: Acts 10:30.
Paul fasted three day fast after his Damascus Road encounter: Acts 9:9.
Paul fasted 14 days while at sea on a sinking ship: Acts 27:33-34." (Mary Fairchild)

compiled by: Yaw Andoh Mensah