Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4
The annual Prayer and Fasting for WIN Ireland was held last Jan 6-12, 2014. As followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, who himself fasted (Mathew 4:2), we are encouraged to do the same. Fasting provides unique spiritual benefits in the life of a believer. It requires discipline to deny oneself of earthly desires to focus on God alone. There are different types of Fasting but commonly, refraining from snacks, skipping meals or from all food for the whole day is what is practiced the most. As we deprive ourselves of our natural want of food, we are inclined to depend on God more for strength. Our physical hunger is transformed to spiritual one allowing us to be more sensitive to God’s whispers.
Day 1 (Thanking God)
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers,…” –Romans 1:9
Day 2 (Be thankful for what God gives)
“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…” –1 Corinthians 1:4
Day 3 (Prayer for understanding)
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,…” –Ephesians 1:16-17
Day 4 (Prayer for Enablement)
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,…” –Ephesians 3:14-16
Day 5 (Participants In The Gospel)
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” –Philippians 1:3-5
Day 6 (Thanking God for our church)
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” –1 Thessalonians 1:2-3