Fasting and Prayer

Old Testament Example

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. [Ezra 8:21 ESV]

New Testament Example

1 In the church that was at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them to." 3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off. [Acts 13:1-3 HCSB]

The early church fathers used fasting and prayer when there was a serious matter to be addressed. Today, there are times when the Pastor must call the church to a time of prayer and fasting. Some examples of corporate fasting and prayer are when calling a new pastor, settling a disagreement in the church or other matters of great importance. From the beginning of the early church fasting and prayer was a means to prepare the body for hearing God. There are times when a personal fast is just as important as a corporate fast, such as having issues at work or home or even with the way some things are being done in the church. However, as fasting is a sign of humility, the more frequent use should be as a body to prepare to receive what God has for the congregation. You must understand that fasting is not of much use if the reasoning behind it is not to prepare the heart for prayer. For when the heart is prepared then you will be truly dissatisfied with your sin and ready to fear God. If the heart is not in your fast, then God will not be deceived, and the fasting and prayer will not be acceptable (see Isaiah 58:5). Fasting is not always total abstaining from food. Maybe for medical reasons you cannot complete a total fast but you can restrain for a period from certain foods that you delight in as a sacrifice to God or during the period of fasting you can change your normal mode of living. Again, the point to fasting is not to get results from God but to prepare your heart for conversation (prayer) with God. Fasting is to center on God.

For Thought:

Why Fast?

1.    To better subdue the flesh in order to prepare yourself for prayer (1 Cor. 9:27).

2.    To give evidence of humbling yourself before God (Psalm 69:10).

3.    To seek God’s direction in the life of the church (Acts 13:2).

As you spend time in prayer today ask God to give you direction and insight on how you are to serve Him. Seek to worship the Father and ask Him to search your heart. If you are called to fast in order to prepare your heart for prayer ask for the Holy Spirit to work in you to listen and do what God is telling you.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove: and nothing shall he impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. [Matthew 17:19-21 KJV]