What is Prayer and Fasting? (feat. Timothy Ateek)

In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner kick off season 2 with a special episode about prayer and fasting with Watermark’s Lead Pastor of Vision and Preaching and returning guest, Timothy “TA” Ateek.  

Chapter 1: 00:00-02:39 

Introduction 

1. Sermon Series: A Praying Church 
2. 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 
3. Vision Sunday: Ten Markers for Watermark Community Church 

Chapter 2: 02:39- 05:05 

Why do we want our church family to enjoy prayer and fasting? 

Scripture Mentioned: Psalm 34:8, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 37:4  

Chapter 3: 05:05-08:18 

Why do we find it hard to enjoy God?  

1. Michael Reeves, Enjoy Your Prayer Life 
2. David Mathis, Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines 
3. J.I. Packer, Knowing God 
4. “If you want to know how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child” – J.I. Packer 
5. “The life of Christianity consists in possessive pronouns” – Martin Luther 

Scripture Mentioned: 1 Peter 5:8, Matthew 6:9-13 

Chapter 4: 08:18-10:52 

What does it mean that “prayer is the chief exercise of faith”? 

1. “Prayerlessness is practical atheism” – Michael Reeves 

Scripture Mentioned: Romans 10:17 

Chapter 5: 10:52-14:56 

What do you do when prayer feels burdensome rather than enjoyment? 

Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 26:36-46, 6:9-13, John 1:14, 10:10 

Chapter 6: 14:56-18:53 

If God is sovereign, why do we need to pray? 

Chapter 7: 18:53-26:18 

How do you deal with unanswered prayer? 

1. “The best preparation for suffering is good theology” – Tom Schreiner  
2. “Don’t listen to yourself, talk to yourself” – Martin Lloyd Jones 

Scripture Mentioned: John 6:68, Psalm 24:1, Luke 22:42, Hebrews 4:14-16, Psalm 42, 43 

Chapter 8: 26:18-32:58 

Is there something special about corporate prayer? 

Scripture Mentioned: Acts 12, 4:31, Matthew 18:20, James 5:16 

Chapter 9: 32:58-35:03 

What is the connection between prayer and fasting? 

Scripture Mentioned: Philippians 3:10, Matthew 4:4 

Chapter 10: 35:03-38:38 

How have you grown in prayer and fasting? 

Chapter 11: 38:38-40:56 

Why should Watermark members jump in with prayer and fasting?