PRAYER AND FASTING: THE REWARD OF GOD

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PRAYER AND FASTING THE REWARD OF GOD Matthew
616 - 18
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The voluntary denial of a normal function for
the sake of intense spiritual activity.
- Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines of the
Christian Life, page 154
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God rewards those who are willing to set aside
the ordinary for the purpose of seeking him for
the extraordinary.
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I remained on the mountain forty days and forty
nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water.
- Deuteronomy 99
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that we might humble ourselves before our God,
to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves,
our children, and all our goods.  For I was
ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers
and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on
our way, since we had told
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the king, The hand of our God is for good on
all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is
against all who forsake him. So we fasted and
implored our God for this, and he listened to our
entreaty.
- Ezra 821 - 23
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FASTING IS NOT TO BE PRACTICED WITH A DESIRE TO
IMPRESS OTHERS
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FASTING IS NOT TO BE PRACTICED WITH A DESIRE TO
IMPRESS OTHERS
When you fast, do not look gloomy like the
hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that
their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say
to you, they have received their reward.
- Matthew 616
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FASTING IS A FOCUS UPON GOD ALONE AND HE IS THE
REWARD OF FASTING
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash
your face that your fasting may not be seen by
others but by your Father who is in secret. And
your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
- Matthew 617 - 18
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• To strengthen prayer

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• To strengthen prayer
• To seek Gods guidance

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• To strengthen prayer
• To seek Gods guidance
• To express grief

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• To strengthen prayer
• To seek Gods guidance
• To express grief
• To seek deliverance or protection

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• To strengthen prayer
• To seek Gods guidance
• To express grief
• To seek deliverance or protection
• To express repentance and a return to God

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• To strengthen prayer
• To seek Gods guidance
• To express grief
• To seek deliverance or protection
• To express repentance and a return to God
• To humble oneself before God

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• To strengthen prayer
• To seek Gods guidance
• To express grief
• To seek deliverance or protection
• To express repentance and a return to God
• To humble oneself before God
• To express concern for the work of God

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• To strengthen prayer
• To seek Gods guidance
• To express grief
• To seek deliverance or protection
• To express repentance and a return to God
• To humble oneself before God
• To express concern for the work of God
• To minister to the needs of others

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• To strengthen prayer
• To seek Gods guidance
• To express grief
• To seek deliverance or protection
• To express repentance and a return to God
• To humble oneself before God
• To express concern for the work of God
• To minister to the needs of others
• To overcome temptation and dedicate oneself to God

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• To strengthen prayer
• To seek Gods guidance
• To express grief
• To seek deliverance or protection
• To express repentance and a return to God
• To humble oneself before God
• To express concern for the work of God
• To minister to the needs of others
• To overcome temptation and dedicate oneself to
  God
• To express love and worship to God