Fasting and Prayer

All believers should fast. (Matt. 6: 16-18; 9: 14,15) For Jesus it was a matter of when a believer should fast, not if they should do it. But do seek Him about what kind of fast you should undertake. Ask Him to reveal this to you. "Decide how long you will fast, what type of fast, what physical or social activities you will restrict, and how much time you will devote to His word and prayer each day."(Bill Bright)

PREPARE YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY

"The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:

1. Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.
2. Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance. (1John 1:9)
3. Seek forgiveness from all you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you.(Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4)
4. Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
5. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in
Ephesians 5:18, and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.
6. Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to
obey your worldly nature. (Romans 12, 1,2)
7. Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power,
wisdom, faithfullness, grace, compassion, and others (Ps. 48:9,10; 103:1-8,11-13).
8. Begin your time of prayer and fasting with an expectant heart (Heb. 11:6)
9. Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the
natural battle between body and spirit (Gal. 5:16,17)."

(Bill Bright-7 BASIC STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL FASTING AND PRAYER)1995, New Life Publications)