(27) PRAYER AND FASTING

(Matt.27:50-51)- Jesus, when he cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost (Spirit). And behold, the vail in the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent...../ The vail was a heavy curtain 50' tall and was torn, into two pieces, from top to bottom. Only God could do this. Only the High Priest could enter once a year to represent the people before God. The High Priest had a rope tied to his foot, so if anything happened to him, they could pull him out, because another person would die if they entered. The renting of the vail signified that now anyone could go to God directly in prayer. Jesus has gone through the vail of the flesh entering into the presence of the Father. Jesus is now our High Priest representing us. When Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father but by me, He meant 'in prayer' also. -(John 14:6) (Matt.6:9)- Jesus taught his disciples to pray, saying 'Our Father' and ending the prayer with simply 'Amen'. But, now Jesus is our High Priest and we pray to the Father, asking in Jesus name. (John 16:23-24)- And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. So many christians, pray to Jesus (Jesus, the Word of God, doesn't teach us to do this). No place in the Bible are we taught to pray to angels, saints or anyone else. Catholics pray to Mary, the mother of Jesus. It took them many centuries to decide that Mary was translated without dying. According to scripture, we must assume that she died a normal death, and is waiting in Paradise with the other saints waiting for the resurrection and an eternal body. NOTE: I will never try to belittle anyone for their Faith, but if they are really a christian , they will study God's Word; and, it will take precedence over man's opinion. God gives no one the authority to change Bible Doctrine. (1 Tim.2:5)- There is one God and one mediator between man and God, the man Jesus Christ./ Moses fasted 40 days when he was on Mt Horeb getting the 10 Commandments. Jesus fasted 40 days after His baptism and was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. John the Baptist's disciples fasted. The pharisees fasted. Fasting is usually done in association with penitance, or fervent prayer. Jesus didn't command that we fast. It is completely voluntary and as secretly as possible. It should not be done for the eyes of men, or to seem religious. If we do things to get credit from man, that's all the reward we'll get. If God helps us to do something and we take credit, we rob God. -(Opinion)/ But, Jesus did expect us to fast. (Matt.6:16-18)- When you fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But, when you fast, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that you appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, which is in secret: and thy Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly./ (Matt.17:14-21)- A man had a son posessed by a Demon. He often fell into the fire, or water. The Disciples could not heal him, though they healed others. Jesus healed the boy. The Disciples asked Jesus why they couldn't cast out the evil spirit. Jesus said," because of your unbelief. This kind goes not out, but by prayer and fasting. Con