TLDR;
This session explores the often-overlooked key to effective prayer: fasting. Derek Prince argues that Jesus expects His followers to fast, just as He expects them to pray. Fasting is presented as a God-ordained method to humble oneself, removing the barrier of pride that hinders answered prayer. The sermon uses biblical examples to illustrate how fasting can avert disasters, guide decision-making, and unlock spiritual power, ultimately leading to personal and communal revival.
- Jesus expects us to fast as well as pray.
- Fasting is a way to humble ourselves and overcome pride.
- Fasting can change the course of history and unlock spiritual power.
Jesus Expects Us To Fast [0:00]
Derek Prince introduces fasting as a major, often overlooked, key to effective prayer, asserting that its neglect is a primary cause of ineffectiveness within the body of Christ. Drawing from the Sermon on the Mount, he highlights the parallel between Jesus' instructions on prayer ("when you pray") and fasting ("when you fast"), suggesting that Jesus expects His disciples to engage in both practices. Referencing John Wesley, Prince reinforces the idea that neglecting fasting can lead to spiritual decline, just as neglecting prayer does. He clarifies that the purpose of fasting is not mere self-denial but a God-appointed means of humbling oneself, which is essential for overcoming pride, the greatest barrier to answered prayer.
Don’t Pray For Humility, BE Humble [6:59]
Derek Prince shares personal insights on the dangers of pride, influenced by Andrew Murray's book "Humility". He emphasises that pride was the first sin, demonstrated by Lucifer's fall in heaven, making humans even more susceptible to it. He highlights that God instructs us to humble ourselves rather than asking Him to do it for us, as the latter can lead to unwanted, humiliating situations. Quoting John Bunyan, he illustrates the safety and wisdom in humility, stating "He that is down need fear no fall". He concludes this segment by stating that those who humble themselves will be exalted, a universal principle demonstrated by Lucifer and Jesus.
Anything That Enables Us To Humble Ourselves Is A Priceless Blessing [12:40]
Derek Prince underscores humility as essential for effective prayer, referencing James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:6, which urge believers to humble themselves, promising exaltation in return. He warns that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, emphasising that pride obstructs access to God. Anything that enables humility is a priceless blessing, even if unpleasant at the time. He quotes Psalm 35:13, where David says, "I humbled my soul with fasting," explaining that fasting is a way to subdue the arrogant, self-assertive aspects of the soul, aligning one's will, intellect, and emotions with God's will.
To Humble Your Soul Means To Fast [17:41]
Derek Prince uses the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) in Leviticus 16:29-31 as an example, where God requires the Israelites to "afflict their souls," which is understood as fasting, to benefit from the atonement sacrifice. He defines fasting as abstaining from food for spiritual purposes, often including water. He emphasises that humbling one's soul through fasting is a condition to receive God's grace, a practice consistently observed by the Jewish people for over 3,400 years. Additionally, he references Ezra 8, where Ezra proclaims a fast to seek God's protection for the returning exiles, choosing the spiritual path over seeking an escort of soldiers.
Disasters Can Be Averted Through Fasting [25:58]
Derek Prince illustrates how fasting can avert disasters, citing the story of King Ahab in 1 Kings 21, who, despite being the most wicked king, had God's judgment on him lessened because he humbled himself with fasting. Similarly, he references the story of Jonah and Nineveh, where the entire city fasted and repented, leading God to spare them from destruction. He also mentions the book of Esther, where Esther calls for a fast among the Jews, which leads to the reversal of a decree to destroy them. These examples underscore the potential of fasting to change the course of history and invoke God's mercy.
How The Church In Acts Found Out God’s Plan [32:23]
Derek Prince presents examples from the New Testament, distinguishing between individual and corporate fasting. He cites Paul's ministry in 2 Corinthians 6 and 11, where Paul lists "fastings often" as a way he proved himself as a minister of Christ. He shares his personal experience of fasting every Wednesday for four and a half years, which he believes significantly contributed to his spiritual progress. He then discusses corporate fasting, particularly in Acts 13, where the church in Antioch ministered to the Lord and fasted, leading the Holy Spirit to call Barnabas and Saul for apostolic work. This highlights fasting as a means to discern and initiate God's plans.
Four Things God Asks From Us [43:02]
Derek Prince references 2 Chronicles 7:14, outlining four steps God's people must take: humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. He shares an experience from his church in Fort Lauderdale, where a corporate fast led to startling confessions and repentance. He emphasises that recognising and repenting from wicked ways becomes clear in God's presence. If these four conditions are met, God promises to hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
God’s Program For Revival [50:23]
Derek Prince concludes by referencing Joel 2, which calls for a fast, a sacred assembly, and the gathering of all people, including leaders setting an example. He highlights Joel 2:28, stating that after God's people meet His conditions, He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. He suggests that the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was only an anticipatory fulfillment and that a greater release of the Spirit is contingent upon God's people meeting His conditions through fasting and repentance. He believes this is the solution to reaching the unreached, including the Muslim world, and calls for a commitment to follow God's scriptural way.
