Draw The Circle Main session 6 pt.2 (Fasting)

After 36 days of prayer on the 40 day prayer challenge, let's ask some questions about FASTING and see what others through history felt about Fasting. What are the benefits? why should we fast? how can we fast? etc .
Read through the following scriptures on Jesus teaching and prayer life before losing at the questions below and watching the video
1:- Matthew 6:9-13
Our father in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food that we need and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one
2:- Mark 1: 35 (After healing and delivering many.. and BEFORE going onto the next set of towns)
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
3:- Matthew 14:23 (Before rescuing the disciples in the storm)
23 After sending them home, He went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell, while He was there alone.
4:- Luke 6:12 (Before choosing the 12 disciples)
12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.
5:- John 12:27-28 (Jesus predicting His own death)
"27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!
6:- Luke 22:41-44 (Garden of Gethsemany)
42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
7:- John 11:41-42 (Lazarus)
41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.
8:- Matt 14 (feeding of 5000)
18 “Bring ‘what you have’ here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven.. gave thanks and blessed them.
9:- Luke 22:32 (praying for Peter)
32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail.
10:- Luke 23:34 (as they crucified Jesus)
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
11:- John 17:1-26
The Prayer of Jesus
17 Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. ….. Holy Father, you have given me your name;[b] now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. ……
15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. ….17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. ….
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one-as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
12:- Hebrews 5:7
7 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue Him from death. And God heard His prayers because of His deep reverence for God.
Accompanying questions
FASTING
So far, we’ve mostly been learning about and discussing Prayer.
READ:-
Matt 6:16-18
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. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair[d] and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Take a few moments to meditate on these verses.
Underline what stands out most to you.
Group discussion (Before Video)
1:- What is Fasting?
2:- What are your main concerns about Fasting?
3:- What might someone fast about?
WATCH THE VIDEO
as you do, you can review your answers on the previous page
Personal reflection
4:- What miracles would you like to see today, that happened
in the past?
5:- WHAT might you fast this next 14 days?
6:- What might you fast ABOUT in the next 14 days?
7- In Draw The Circle, Pastor Mark frequently mentions Prayer journalling. In a year or two from now, how would you like your journal to read from your entries you make over the next 14 days?