The Power of Prayer and Fasting - revised and expanded in 2009 by Ronnie W. Floyd
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The Power of Prayer and Fasting
The hand-in-hand spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting is not a gimmick or a spiritual fad, although its neglect in recent decades makes it a new discovery for many Christians. Instead, as author Ronnie Floyd explains, prayer and fasting is a Scripture-ordained act of obedience—a means of humbling ourselves before God, drawing closer to Him, and making room for Him to speak and act in our lives.
This newly revised and updated edition of The Power of Prayer and Fasting offers fascinating firsthand stories of the difference prayer and fasting has made in Floyd's life and others, compelling explanations of how this discipline works in a Christian's life, practical guidance for those who have never fasted before, and a stirring call to revival. New material includes a chapter on fasting together as a church for the needs of one person, family, or the church itself.
About the Author
Dr. Floyd's ministry as a local church pastor has been one of commitment to evangelism and the advancement of the gospel to America and around the world. In Dr. Floyd's 23 years of ministry in Springdale, the church's membership has grown from 3,700 to over 19,000 members. The church has baptized over 15,000 persons in these 23 years. In August of 2001, the church began an additional location, The Church at Pinnacle Hills, which he pastors weekly in addition to the First Baptist Church of Springdale, Arkansas. This year, we are investing in and launching 15 churches around the world. We are "One Church in Many Locations."
Endorsements
"It is true in my life, the gateway to breakthrough has been
through intentional prayer and fasting. Never have I sensed a
greater need for seeking and knowing God. This book will give
you steps to victory. Ronnie, this book helped me and challenged
me!!!"
—Dr. Johnny Hunt
President of the Southern Baptist Convention
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia
"The Power of Prayer and Fasting is a much needed and timely book. Ronnie Floyd hasn’t given us a book of theories. He has written out of his own life and experience. The stories are dramatic and powerful. These biblical principles are life changing. Ronnie practices what he preaches. He leads by example. He shows us the way to the Father, power, and revival. These truths have too long been on the back burner. Ronnie puts them at the forefront, where they belong. This book needs to be on your must-read list. If pastors and laity grasped the truths on these pages, we could see a great movement of God in our land."
—Michael Catt, Sr. Pastor
Sherwood Baptist Church in
Albany, Georgia
Executive Producer, Sherwood Pictures
"In a day when so much of the church exhibits a form of godliness but will not submit to His power, Ronnie Floyd in The Power of Prayer and Fasting, opens the door for many to experience afresh the supernatural power of an awesome God."
—H. B. London Jr., Vice President
Ministry Outreach/Pastoral Ministries
Focus on the Family
"Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once asked, 'In these days of exceptional evil, are you doing something exceptional?' In this new book, Ronnie Floyd will challenge and equip you to do something exceptional for the kingdom of God. I encourage you to accept the challenge!"
—Dr. Steve Farrar, Men’s Leadership Ministries
"The Power of Prayer and Fasting reveals the true end of this neglected discipline: it is a gateway to intimacy with God; not an end in itself. It doesn’t change circumstances or situations so much as it changes us. My dear friend Ronnie Floyd practices what he preaches... and that makes this book worth reading, and reading again."
—Ed Young, Pastor
Second Baptist Church of Houston, Texas
Testimonials
The Lord has favored me greatly through a journey I've been on for the last two years. As I have discovered the principle of fasting in my life, I've truly seen my need for His involvement in every aspect of my day. As I started reading the words of Jesus, I realized that there is actually a treasure for those who approach the Lord through fasting and prayer. As I prayed more, I wanted to fast more, as I fasted more, the closer I drew to Him. To His glory, others began to realize their need for this type of lifestyle and the numbers began to grow, from four men who would meet weekly late in the night to seek the Lord to now, less than two years later, an entire ministry of over a hundred people whose sole purpose is to pray and seek His face. All of these wonderful testimonies of healing from cancer, restorations of marriages, salvations of prodigals and an unmistakeable anointing are attributable to only one thing, God's favor on those who fast and pray.
- Josh Stanbery
Shortly after I was radically saved in 1984 God placed a strong desire in my life to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him, through the reading of the Bible. I was never taught about fasting. However, I did attended one discipleship weekend that covered how to have a personal time with God daily. That is where it all started for me. I discovered that the Word of God and obedience to it was paramount to to success in my newfound spiritual walk with Jesus.
As I lay in my bed one night reading from John 4:34 I read, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work.” Then from John 6:27 Jesus said, “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you…” I literally stopped reading as I heard God speak like never before saying, “you need to deny yourself from food and allow me to nourish your life with nonperishable spiritual food.” This seemed crazy, but I knew obedience was the only option, so I began a 3 day fast. My wife Karen thought I was crazy for not eating. God spoke to me profoundly those 3 days and I began the journey of disciplined fasting and prayer before the Lord.
In 1995 I sensed a strong calling to embark on a 40 day extended time of prayer and fasting, my wife joined with me also. Through that time I discovered many things through the Word of God and prayer.
• You will never draw close to God without intentional effort
• Obedience is better than sacrifice, but don’t underestimate the sacrifice
• Denying oneself the basic daily need of food allows GOD to fill me spiritually and physically (John 4:34)
• There is a secret place that God wants to meet every Christ follower, that place is in prayer and fasting
• God is always speaking clearly and profoundly, it is my duty to listen clearly to hear His voice, prayer and fasting allows me that avenue of listening.
• If I am serious about my relationship with God, I will set aside time to draw near
• The blessing of fasting far outweighs the short time of denying oneself temporal food or pleasures
Many times since 1995 I have joined God in fasting. Fasting & praying at times for a day and many times for extended lengths. Not a single experience have I concluded a fast and said, “Wow, I wish I wouldn’t have done that.” No, I say just the opposite. Every time a fast is concluded, I am most often in tears saying, “God, I don’t ever want to move away from You, thank You for being so close to me.”
- Doug Sarver
