More Prayer, More Power | Scotty Gibbons

Acts 4:23-24  On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.  24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. (NIV) Acts 4:31 - After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (NIV) 1. What is fasting? 2. Why should we fast? A. It’s a necessity, not a luxury. Matthew 6:16 – And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. (NLT) B. Spiritual leaders throughout scripture fasted. Moses fasted – Deuteronomy 9 David fasted – 2 Samuel 12 Elijah fasted – 1 Kings 19 Ezra fasted – Ezra 10 Nehemiah fasted – Nehemiah 1 Esther fasted – Esther 4 Daniel fasted – Daniel 10 Paul – Acts 9 Jesus fasted - Matthew 4 C. Some things only happen as a result of prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:21 - But this kind of demon won’t leave unless you have prayed and gone without food. (TLB) 3. How do you know what to fast? Isaiah 58:3-5 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? (NIV) 4. What should you expect when you fast?