Fasting & Prayer

About Fasting & Prayer

Fasting is the practice or the holy art of deliberately and voluntarily abstaining from the usual nourishment for the purpose of adding power to our prayer.

Prayer teacher Dick mills once said, “Anyone can pray to be sure, but few pray with power. So what is it that changes ordinary prayer into powerful praying?” He concludes that the answer must surely be fasting.

Some facts about fasting

• Fasting humbles and brings us to that needful place of brokenness in spirit in readiness for God to work through us. Ref. Psalm 69:10
• By afflicting the soul in this way we are putting our body in its place, i.e. in subjection to our spirit man from where the Holy Spirit governs our lives. Ref. Leviticus 16:29, 1 Corinthians 9:27
• Fasting gives victory over temptation. Jesus fasted for forty days and was tempted by the devil. Satan was no match to our Lord. Ref. Matthew 4:2
• Fasting is an act of worship that increases our spiritual antenna. It can be scientifically proven that by denying ourselves food and depriving our sense of taste in effect increases our spiritual receptivity. Acts 13:2-3
• The power of God is activated when we pray. More power is released when we fast and pray. Some victories will only come by praying and fasting. Mark 9:29
• If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray… then will I hear from heaven… II Chronicles 7:14

MEDICAL ADVICE

If you have a medical condition please check with your GP before you embark on a fast, especially a long fast.

MORE TIPS…

• In the early stage of your fast it is common to experience unpleasant physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea etc.
• Do not allow these discomforts to deter you. Persevere!
• Remember that hunger is partly a habit. Hold out. The sensation of hunger will soon pass without you eating.
• Avoid strenuous work and heavy lifting as this can cause dizziness.
• It is wise to give up tea and coffee a few days before the start of the fast to get over caffeine withdrawal and headaches. (It is wise not to immediately return to tea and coffee).
• Avoid constipation. Before and after fast, choose meals like fresh fruits, fruit juices, and dried figs. Prunes, apricot, oatmeal etc.
• It is scriptural to abstain from fluids and solids (dry fast). Do not abstain from fluid for more than 72 hours.
• Break your fast gradually. Drink tepid water and eat light food that is easily digested. The longer you have fasted, the greater care must to be taken. Exercise self-control.
• Remember that after two days of fasting, your stomach will shrink so do not expand it suddenly.

NTA Tooting Vision Prayer.
Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for New Testament Assembly Tooting. You have called us to be labourers together in Tooting and surrounding areas and across the earth. As we lift our voices in one accord, recognising that you are God we call into being those things that be not as though they were.

We thank you that we all speak the same thing: there is no division among us, and we are of the same mind. Grant unto us a boldness to proclaim your word which you will confirm with signs following. We thank you that we have workers in abundance and all manner of creative people for every kind of work. Each department operates in excellence on ministry. We have in our church the ministry gifts for the edifying this body until we all come into the unity of faith, and the knowledge of the son of God, unto mature person. None of our people will be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every doctrine. We speak the truth in love.

We are a flourishing, worship and witnessing community of believers increasing in numbers. We have every need met. Therefore, we meet the needs of people who come- spirit soul and body. Our church is prospering financially, and we have more than enough to meet every situation. We have everything that we need to carry out your great commission and reach tooting area for Jesus. We are a people of love as love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We thank you that the word of God is dwelling richly in all of us and Jesus is Lord! We are supernatural church composed of supernatural people doing supernatural things, for we are labourers together with God. Almighty God we thank you for your presence among us. We lift our hearts and hands in praise to your Holy name.