The Power of Worship and Fasting
- Kirupakaran
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Every religion has its own way of worshiping their God. Some people worship by lying flat, some kneel with their heads down, and others kneel with their hands raised, some worship by sitting or Standing as well. In the book of Acts, Paul shows us how the disciples worshiped God. From this, we can learn how to apply true worship in our Christian lives.
Understanding the Context of Paul & Barnabas
After Stephen’s death, great persecution broke out in the early church in Jerusalem.
Believers scattered to regions like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews [Acts 11:19 NIV] 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.
Some from Cyprus shared the Gospel in Antioch, and many received it well (Acts 11:20).
The apostles heard about the growth and sent Barnabas to Antioch. He was a Levite from Cyprus, full of the Holy Spirit and called the “Son of Encouragement” [Acts 4:36-37 NIV] 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
Barnabas saw the work and went to find Paul (Saul). Together, they spent a year in Antioch, building the church and raising leaders [Acts 11:24-26 NIV] 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
After completing their mission, Paul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem, bringing John Mark with them [Acts 12:25 NIV] 25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
The apostles then waited for God’s direction for their next mission.
God’s Direction for Paul & Disciples
[Acts 13:1-3 NIV] 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
In the Antioch church, there were five leaders: Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul.
As they worshiped and fasted, the Holy Spirit spoke: Acts 13:2(b) "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Order in Seeking God’s will
1st - They Worshiped and Fasted (Acts 13: 2)
2nd – They Fasted and Prayed (Acts 13:3)
After that they Fasted and Prayed to Bless them and ordained them to the mission field.
Generally in Churches and many places we are asked to Fast and Pray for our needs, but we don’t hear church to say Worship and fast
Worship and fast is biblical key that we need to understand to unlock the will of God.
Worship
What is True Worship?
Today’s Church we have singers / worship leaders / guitar bands/lights and good songs to worship God, There is nothing wrong to sing and worship him.
Worship is more than music
Worship is to connect your heart and body to God.
First Mention of worship - Our father – Abraham did worship God when he offered Issac [Genesis 22:5 NIV] 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."
Biblical Acts of Worship
Bible Teaches how we should worship God –Falling prostrate / Bowing down / Clasping feet to worship him
[Matthew 2:11 NIV] 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
[Matthew 28:9 NIV] 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
[1 Corinthians 14:25 NIV] 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
Worship Must Be
The worship, that we offer should be only to God, Worship must be God-centred, not man-centred or Not music centred.
There are two key elements of worship that’s important
Scripture - Worship from a heart full of the “Scriptures” - [Colossians 3:16 NIV] 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Spirit - Worship from a heart full of the “Spirit” - [Ephesians 5:18-20 NIV] 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Worship is meaningless without the Scriptures
Worship is unacceptable without the Spirit (1 Cor 12:3b) — [1 Corinthians 12:3 NIV] 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
There are two that acts as Fuel and fire for worship
Holy Scriptures: Fuel for Worship
Holy Spirit: Fire for Worship
The Holy Spirit is the “breath” of the Holy Scriptures. Mere letter kills; but the Spirit gives life!
How Should We Worship?
Many times we confuse between Prayer vs. Thanksgiving vs. Worship (Praise)
Example 1
“Save me, Lord” — Prayer
“Thank You, Lord, for saving me” — Thanksgiving
“Praise You, Lord, my Saviour” — Worship
Example 2
“Heal me, Lord” — Prayer
"Thank You, Lord, for healing me” — Thanksgiving
“Praise You, Lord, my Healer” — Worship
In Thanksgiving We praise God for what He GIVES/DOES
In Worship We praise God for who He IS
We can worship God with praising his names or by praising his characters (Jehovah, Immanuel, Melchizedek, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Might God, Tower of Refuge, HE is our Father, He is our provider etc..
We can worship God thru heart felt songs that you sing which really mean who God IS, you edify God from your heart and soul to worship him.
What happens when we worship ?
We gain access to the Father - We have access to the Father through the Holy Spirit [Ephesians 2:18 NIV] 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Angelic activity is released - As we worship, heaven responds—angels move from earth to heaven and vice versa the prayers rise, and spiritual alignment begins. [John 1:51 NIV] 51 He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man."
Satan’s power is broken - Worship shakes the foundations of bondage—chains break, and Satan’s hold weakens, we read Paul and Sailas worshiped to break the prison gates and earth quake came to open the prison door. [Acts 16:25-26 NIV] 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose.
God reveals His will - True worship fills us with holy reverence, and in that awe, God reveals His direction and promises. [Psalm 25:12-14 NIV] 12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. 13 They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land. 14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Fasting
Fasting is expected of every believer - Bible teaches us that every follower of Jesus Christ is called to fast. Read up on it: in all His teachings, Jesus did not say, "if you fast", He said, "when you fast". [Matthew 6:16 NIV] 16 "When you fast, do not look sober as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Fasting should be private. Fasting should be done in Secret only between you and the Father God [Matthew 6:18 NIV] 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Outward display vs. inward sincerity
Old days they wore a sackcloth and covered with ashes on their body, it expresses deep sorrow, repentance, mourning, and humility before God.
Jesus has instructed us to follow [Matthew 6:17 NIV] 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
What does fasting accomplish?
Helps control the flesh – The first and foremost thing fasting does is to control over the flesh. The Bible says [Galatians 5:16-17 NIV] 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
When we fast - We control our flesh to surrender to the Spirit of God
Fasting controls the spirit and when we pray in the spirit the soul also intercedes for us to request father for his help.
Aligns us with God’s will - When we worship and fast, we control our Body to surrender to God to say, not my will father, thy will be done.
Strengthens our spiritual focus: Fasting allows our spirit to take the lead, and our soul to intercede as we seek the Father in prayer.
Purifies our worship:
When we fast while worshiping:
We give no room for pride or self-glory.
We surrender body, soul, and spirit to praise God alone.
This posture brings grace and guidance to walk in the calling God has given us.
Summary: Lesson’s, we learn from Paul and Barnabas
Seek God’s Direction through Worship and Fasting
When we need guidance, we must first worship and fast before God.
True worship is in Spirit and Truth [John 4:24 NIV] 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
We honour God for Who HE is and not depend on our strength.
Fasting Aligns Us with God’s Will
Fasting – makes us to convey to Father “not my will, Thy will be done” we edify God to surrender our flesh to align to his will
It helps us surrender our flesh and align our hearts with God’s purposes.
Prayer Brings Peace and Grace
Through prayer we bring the petition (Pointed requests), we present our needs to God.
He answers with peace and assurance [Philippians 4:6-7 NIV] 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In Paul and Barnabas’ case, the church laid hands on them—a sign of God’s blessing and commission. [Acts 13:3 NIV] 3. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Timing is important
1st – As Disciples did - Worship and Fasted (Acts 13: 2)
2nd – As Disciples did - Fasted and Prayed (Acts 13:3)
Next time if you have life decision to make or a key milestone in life, worship and Fast, then once again Fast and Pray to get the grace of God and his blessings. You will never fail. As you will be led by the will of God. We read how Paul and Barnabas visited in their field and God’s mighty hand of blessing to bring waves and waves of people to Church. Same will be your blessings as well.
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