Aug. 21, 2024
TEXT:  Ezra 8:21-23
I. Fasting and praying helps us to seek God’s direction (Ezra 8:21)
A. Purposing to spend time before the Lord

B. Taking time to get serious with God

C. Humbling ourselves before God  –  Psalm 35:13; Psalm 69:10; I Corinthians 11:28-32

II. Fasting and Praying is seeking the Lord’s help over man’s (Ezra 8:22-23)
A. We should seek the Lord instead of depending on others (v. 22)

B. We should believe God to take care of us when we seek Him (v. 22)

C. We should seek God in faith and trust Him to meet our needs (v. 23)

III. Fasting and praying is about separating ourselves unto the Lord (Nehemiah 9:1-3)
A. It is our dedication to come before the Lord (v. 1)   (Psalm 109:24)
B. It is our separating ourselves from other things unto the Lord (v. 2)

C. It is our response to the holiness of God revealed in His Word (v. 3)