Lesson 267 - Senior

Memory Verse

"Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:14).

Cross References

I Abraham's Intercession

1. Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah, entreating the Lord to spare them, if 50 righteous persons were found in them, [GEN:18:13-26]; [JAM:5:16-18].

2. Abraham continued to intercede until the number was brought down to ten, [GEN:18:27-33].

II Jacob's Prevailing Prayer

1. Jacob humbled himself before God and prayed for deliverance, [GEN:32:9-12].

2. Jacob wrestled all night with the angel in prevailing prayer, [GEN:32:24-28]; [EPH:6:12].

III Daniel's Prayer for Israel

1. Daniel's desire was for the restoration of Israel, [DAN:9:1-3]; [JER:29:10]; [2CH:36:21].

2. Daniel prayed and fasted and received assurance that his prayer was heard, [DAN:10:1-3], [DAN:10:10-12]; [ROM:8:16]; [1JN:3:24]; [1JN:5:6].

IV Fasting

1. The Lord shows the difference between a hypocritical fast and the fast He has chosen, [ISA:58:1-11]; [MAT:6:16-18].

2. We are to seek for God's salvation and not our own self-justification, [JOE:1:13-15]; [JOE:2:1-17]; [LUK:18:9-14].

3. The Lord will avenge His own elect, [LUK:18:1-8].

4. The early Church fasted at special times when asking God for guidance and particular enduement, [ACT:13:2-3]; [ACT:14:23].

5. Paul fasted frequently, [2CO:6:5]; [2CO:11:27].

Notes

 Fasting

Fasting has, in all ages and among all nations, been much in use in times of mourning, sorrow, and affliction. Its rightful purpose has always been to chasten and humble the soul and help one draw near to God that he might obtain some particular request or favour from the Lord [PS:35:13];[PS:69:10];). No fast was specified in the Mosaic Law, and from Scripture we can see that all fasting was to be voluntary in character, as the individual felt called by God to observe or do.

Many men of God have fasted when they have been burdened with some specific problem. Therefore, we can see that fasting is peculiarly fitted to days of mourning, affliction, or when spiritual burdens are heavy upon us. One such instance took place, when the Israelites, were defeated by the men of the little city of Ai. Realising that God was displeased with them and that He had allowed the small army to rout the superior force of the Israelites, Joshua rent his clothes; and he, with the elders of Israel, remained prostrate before the Ark of the Lord from morning until evening without eating.

The fact that the heathen sometimes fast proves that the natural heart of man recognises this means of approach to God. The king of Nineveh, terrified by Jonah's preaching, proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth and sat in ashes. He published throughout the city that neither man, nor beast, herd nor flock, should taste anything. He commanded: "Let them not feed, nor drink water: but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?" [JON:3:5-9]).

The Lord did repent and spared the great city of Nineveh and all her people because the king on his throne and the people of the city fasted and prayed. These people brought forth "fruits meet for repentance" [MAT:3:7-12]). They prayed sincerely. They did not fast to be seen of men. They wanted to be seen by God and to receive His favour. God heard them and answered them, for He has "no pleasure in the death of the wicked" [EZE:33:11]).

During the ministry of Jesus here on earth, a father brought his son to Jesus' disciples for healing. The son was a lunatic, and the disciples could not heal him even though they prayed earnestly that it might be done. But when the father brought the son to Jesus, the devil was cast out and the boy was delivered. Then the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast the devil out of the lad. Jesus said it was because of their unbelief; but He added, for their encouragement and instruction: "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." This proves to us the value of fasting, when it is done in the proper way and in an attitude that is pleasing to God.

Hypocritical Fasting

The Pharisees used fasting as an outward show of piety. They wanted to be seen of men. They thought very little of their lack of a true attitude of contrition. Their everyday life was not consistent with their profession of religion. They paid no attention to their inward condition, spiritually speaking, for they were full of all kinds of sin and unrighteousness. Yet they fasted and made long prayers in public places so those who saw them would think them to be very holy and devout.

Jesus despised the hypocritical fasts and rebuked the ones who fasted in that manner, by saying: "Be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast." Fasting done in this manner is of no spiritual value. Jesus declared that these people already had their reward. They sought the honour and applause of men and did not seek for the honour that cometh from God only [JHN:5:44]). Jesus told His disciples that when they fasted they were to appear as though they were not doing so, but were to do so to God alone. Their reward would then be great in Heaven.

Isaiah voiced the same reproof for the Children of Israel's dependence on only the outward forms of religion. He showed them that they were more zealous for the outward acts than the inward holiness that those acts could have produced in their lives. They fasted and made a semblance of praying but went on in same sinful ways. And when they received no answer, they said: "Wherefore have we fasted,... and thou seest not?" God defined fasting in His answer, when He said: Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him?" [ISA:58:5-7]). The Lord made plain to Israel, and to us, the kind of fast He approved; and He promised that if they, and we, would fast in that manner He would hear and answer.

When to Fast

The devil is ever on the alert for an opportunity to overthrow the faith of honest souls. At times he has induced people to fanatical and long periods of fasting which endanger the health God has given them. That kind of fasting is not the will of God. Some people try to fast when their bodies are already in a weakened condition because of a previous or present illness and when they are unable to stand the strain that the abstinence from food puts upon them physically. This is definitely not pleasing to God. The Bible tells us that whatever we do we should do to the glory and honour of God. Fanaticism never glorifies God. Actions that bring reproach on the cause and name of God do not glorify Him. A disregard for the health God has given one, when this is done as a result of pride or self-esteem, does not glorify God.

Jesus never gave a specific injunction or commandment to His disciples to fast but said, when speaking prophetically, that after He went away they would do so [MAT:9:15]). A fast will bring the sought-for results as God sees they are best for us, if done so as not to endanger one's health; if done in the right manner " to the honour and glory of God; at the right time " as the Holy Spirit leads; with sincerity and deep spiritual desire and prayer [ROM:8:26-27]). However, some feel that the Words of Jesus show that He considered a three-day period without food sufficient in length for a faster to undertake [MAT:15:32]).

Abraham's Intercession

When God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He said He would not hide that which He was going to do from His faithful servant, Abraham. Abraham stood before the Lord, having a confidence that the Lord would do nothing unjustly. Abraham drew near to God by faith, and in the most devout and humble manner made supplication for the righteous in the cities.

Abraham asked God if 50 righteous were found in the city, would He still destroy the city? The Lord said He would spare the city for 50, if they could be found there. For fear there would not be that many, Abraham changed the number to 45, and the Lord said that He would hold back His judgement for the benefit of the 45. The concern Abraham had for his nephew, Lot, caused him still to plead with God. He asked that the number be lowered to 40, then to 30, and finally to ten. The Lord said, in answer to Abraham's last request, that He would spare the cities for ten. Notice that as long as Abraham continued his supplications the Lord continued to answer the prayers of that godly man of faith. The Holy Spirit, through James, said, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" [JAM:5:16]).

Daniel's Supplications

Daniel was a godly man " a man of earnest prayer " and while reading a copy of Jeremiah's prophecy that had been placed in his hands he saw that the time of the promised deliverance for the captive Jews was near at hand. Yet he could see nothing that would indicate that the promise was soon to be carried out. There was no visible sign that his people would ever be set free. But Daniel began earnestly to seek God for the speedy deliverance of Israel, "by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes" [DAN:9:3]). We are told that from the first day that Daniel began to pray, the Lord heard and started the answer on the way to him [DAN:10:1-3], [DAN:10:12]).

When dedicating the Temple, Solomon had prayed that if the Children of Israel were ever taken captive into a foreign land, and there would pray and confess their sins and turn from their evil ways and seek the face of the Lord, the Lord would hear their prayer for their restoration to their own land and forgive them for their sins

[1KG:8:33-34]; [2CH:6:34-39]). Daniel used every means possible to humble himself, by clothing himself in sackcloth, putting ashes on his head, fasting, and praying with all the earnestness of his soul. He prayed sincerely and for the honour of God alone, and God heard and sent the promised deliverance.

The Teachings of Jesus

Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Although He was the Son of God, Jesus felt His need of communion with the Father and spent many whole nights in prayer. He taught importunity in prayer by giving us the parable of the poor widow and the unjust judge. He also gave us an example of intercessory prayer when He prayed on that dark night just before He gave His life's blood for the salvation of a lost world. Jesus took His disciples and went to the Garden of Gethsemane; and leaving them for a little while that He might be alone, He went a short distance away and prayed. He was in extreme agony of soul "and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground" [LUK:22:39-46]). Three times Jesus went away and prayed and each time He came back to find the disciples sleeping, but He had settled it in His heart that the will of the Father would be done.

There is nothing that the devil hates more than prayer. It is said, that, "the devil trembles when he sees the weakest saint on his knees." Prayer is the Christian's life line. When that lifeline is severed, the soul dies. The Word of God tells us that the prayers of the saints ascend as incense before God.

There is power in prayer. We are taught that by example and precept in the Old Testament and in the New. Jacob wrestled all night in prayer with the angel and would not let him go until he was blessed.

"Would God that more people would pray,

For "tis prayer that moves mountains away;

Those mountains of doubt are sure to move out,

If unceasingly, brother, you pray."

Questions

1. Why are prayer and fasting classed together?

2. What prompts a person to pray or fast?

3. Did the disciples of Jesus fast often? How did Jesus tell them they were to appear when they did fast?

4. Why did Daniel fast?

5. Explain what intercessory prayer means.

6. Did Jesus teach that we should pray in an intercessory manner? Tell in your own words what Jesus said about prayer.

7. Who prayed to be seen of men? and what was their reward to be? When did these men receive their re-ward? What reward would they have in Heaven?