Not a diet Plan, it’s prayer

Luke 2:37 …and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.

Luke 5:33 Then they said to him, “John’s disciples fast often and say prayers, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but yours eat and drink.”

Fasting AND Prayer! There is no fast without praying.

HOW DO WE PRAY?

Jesus modelled it. Mt. 6:9-13 “Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not bring us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

• Our –Jesus starts with “OUR” – community.

• Father - Effective prayer is not dependent upon your nature, but Gods.

• in heaven – A perspective we don't have yet.

• hallowed be your name - Tempted to focus on my name/needs! My name can't change a life.

• Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven - Prayer is not about bending God's will to my needs; it’s bending my will to follow him/ his agenda.

• Give us today, our daily bread. If I have more than enough today, put someone in my path that doesn't.

• Forgive us our debts sin/ trespass, as we have also forgiven our debtors. Forgive someone doesn't mean: It’s okay, forgetting, no boundaries. Forgiveness is trusting God to deal with that person. I release my anger

Pray for protection.

Ep 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood People are not the enemy, held hostage by the enemy but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.  Satan is REAL! If you don't know the source of your problem, you'll spend your life fighting the wrong enemy.

Ps 23 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

God will deliver Us: God wants to open a door of freedom for you.