Introduction: Do you know someone who is struggling in prayer to forgive those who have hurt them? Are they unable to pray the Lord’s prayer and mean it? Then they should pray and fast. What if they aren’t willing to pray and fast? You can pray and fast for them.

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Matthew 6:16 "Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Matthew 6:17-18 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

This prayer fast isn’t for show. Jesus mentioned prayer fasting right after explaining how to pray the Lord’s prayer. This was intentional. First, He wants to set people free to actually mean it when they pray the Lord’s prayer each day. This is not ash on their forehead fasting. They’re not suppose to make sure everyone sees them all gloomy and weak from lack of food. If they are just trying to be seen then that’s all the reward they get, and they’ll still struggle to forgive one another. Second, Prayer and fasting go together. Fasting isn’t really fasting if they don’t pray. Third, This is a focused prayer fast where they surrender and do what God asks of them in order to have break through with the Lord’s prayer. Maybe it’s food. Maybe it’s something they don’t have self-control in like video games, or listening to music. They should pray and ask God what He wants them to fast. Fourth, they should ask God how He wants them to pray in order to see real freedom in your life.

Evaluate the decisions they make in the Lord’s prayer. How can you intercede for someone else to win the battle and begin to actually follow the Lords’ prayer for their own lives? Below is the list of decisions they are asked to make in the Lord’s prayer. Enter into a prayer fast for them and pray through each battle they might face below.

Prayer coaching for the Lord’s prayer: Ask Jesus to show you how to pray for each one of these in order to actually help others accomplish them.

They honor themselves every day. “Jesus, give (them) the strength to deny their own honor to make their own decisions. Help them give honor to God the Father by letting Him make the decisions He wants for them. Jesus, help (them) to daily include God the Father in their decision making out of honor for Him.”

They are the king of their own kingdom. “Jesus, humble (them), so that they give God’s kingdom the right to rule over them each day. Because You Jesus are the King over the kingdom of God, Help them to submit to You each day.”

They follow their own plan every day. “Jesus, help (them) surrender their plans for their own life. Help (them) give You, Jesus, permission to do what You want in every area of their life. Help (them) place You on the throne in everything. Put the desire in (them) to want to stand in Your presence always and see You always on the throne ruling their life. Help (them) surrender each decision to You and put the desire in them to ask You about everything. Reveal Your plans for them and remove their boredom every time You talk to them! Change them forever.”

They pursue their own food each day. “Jesus, humble (them). Provide for them in Your kingdom. Put the idea in (them) to give You permission to give them what they need each day. Bless them with Your active involvement in providing for them. Give them their daily needs.”

They have a debt that is hidden in the dark. “Jesus, forgive (them) today. Help (them) to practice the truth every day, and ask You to forgive them every day, knowing Your answer will always be “Yes.” May (they) choose to bring their mistakes into the light for You to see. Help them to not hide their sin from You.”

Others have a debt owed to them too. “Jesus, give (them) the strength to forgive those who have hurt them. Help them to always say “yes” to those who ask them for forgiveness. Even if others never ask them to forgive them, cause (them) to choose to forgive those who have hurt them because You are asking them to forgive those who have offended them.”

“God don’t give them over to the other side. Set them free from evil.” “God, take (them) off the fence and bring them to Your side. Put in (them) the desire not to be deceived by half truths. Put in (them) the desire to not want to experience being tempted by evil on the fence or be on the other side bound by evil. Help (them) long to be free from evil and live on Your side.”

Fast and pray to be heard by God the Father. Jesus’ example of prayer is for you to be heard by God the Father. Jesus again mentions the reward of seeking out God the Father in secret. In your mind and heart is where you meet with God the Father in secret. He will make His thoughts be known to you there and will help you separate the thoughts that are not from Him. He’ll show you how to pray.

Prayer coaching: “Jesus, May you help me to fast and pray in the right way to be seen by God the Father in secret. I Want the reward of meeting with You in secret. Show me exactly how to intercede for others for their freedom.”