Why Did Jesus Fast And Pray For 40 Days?

Why did Jesus fast?

Fasting is the practice of depriving one’s body of its earthly wants in order to devote one’s life to the pursuit of the Lord.There are several references to it throughout Scripture, and it is often observed by full abstention from eating for a specified duration of time.It is hoped that fasting would result in a stronger spirit and a more intense concentration on God rather than on material problems.Because of the often repeated tale of Jesus’ forty-day fast in the desert, many people assume that Jesus fasted more frequently than He actually did.

Many of Jesus’ contemporaries, on the other hand, chastised Him for ″eating and drinking″ (Matthew 11:19).
When Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13—4:2), he immediately began his forty-day fast, which would last until the end of His three-year mission, which would alter the world.
Him being baptized marked the beginning of His public ministry.
According to Matthew 4:1–2, the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to fast and then took Him into the desert for forty days and forty nights.

Throughout his time in the desert, Jesus was often tempted by the Devil.Due to the lack of food, Jesus’ physical body was at its most vulnerable, and it was at this moment that Satan continuously tempted Him.In Matthew 4:2–10, Satan attacks Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, offers Him promises of power that are alternatives to God’s purpose for Him, and offers Him things that would satisfy His natural needs.Satan also attacks Jesus’ identity as the Son of God in Matthew 4:1–10.Jesus was able to overcome Satan’s temptations because He placed His trust in God’s Word and clung to God’s promises.

In this extraordinary instance, Jesus overcame sin by relying on the power of God’s Word, rather than His own strength, to accomplish His goal.As recorded in Matthew 4:11, when Christ was tempted, ″the devil withdrew from him,″ and ″behold, angels appeared and began ministering to him.″ Jesus’ fasting provided him with strength, not because he relied on His humanity, but because he relied on God.According to Luke 4:14, Jesus was strengthened by God and returned in the power of the Spirit, confirming what had been said previously.It was during this period of fasting and enduring temptation that Jesus was prepared for His three-year public mission, during which He released the downtrodden, performed miracles, and vanquished death.It was critical that He lived every moment under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21–22), since it demonstrated that He had gained control over His human nature.We are taught in Romans 8:9–10 that people who follow Christ are encouraged by this, which is a tremendous encouragement ″If the Holy Spirit of God resides within you, you are not in the flesh, but rather in the Spirit.

No one can claim to be a member of Christ unless they have the Spirit of Christ in their lives.However, if Christ is present in you, even though the body is dead as a result of sin, the Spirit is alive as a result of righteousness.″ Truths that are related: What were Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness, and what can we take away from them?If Jesus is God, how could He pray to Him if He is not God?

Was Jesus addressing himself in prayer?
What was the reason for Jesus’ frequent use of parables?
What were the most significant events in Jesus’ life?
What was it like to be Jesus in historical times?

Who was Jesus as a human being?
Return to the page: The Truth About Jesus Christ.

Why did Jesus fast?

Answer to the question Fasting is a practice that may be seen throughout the Bible.In the Bible, a fast is often defined as a voluntary, total abstention from eating for a certain period of time with the goal of devoting one’s time to pursuing God.Fasting allows us to deprive our flesh of what it craves, allowing us to concentrate more clearly on developing our souls.It doesn’t appear that Jesus fasted on a regular basis.

He was really criticized for ″eating and drinking″ by his detractors (Matthew 11:19).
Only one reported occasion of Jesus fasting can be found in the whole Bible.
This fast occurred soon after His baptism (Matthew 3:13), which marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
According to Matthew 4:1–2, Jesus was driven into the desert by the Holy Spirit, where he fasted for forty days and forty nights.

During his period of fasting, Jesus was subjected to several temptations by the devil.This harrowing experience prepared Him for the three-year mission that would transform the course of human history.While Jesus’ flesh was at its most vulnerable during those forty days, He was subjected to unrelenting temptation from Satan.Satan presented Him with alternatives to God’s plan, concessions that would satisfy His natural needs, and attacks on His very identity as the Son of God.Satan also gave Him a way out of the situation (Matthew 4:3).

Jesus defeated those temptations and remained triumphant over sin by relying on the Word of God, rather than His own power.In his example, Jesus proved to us that fasting can be beneficial to our spiritual well-being when we use it to come closer to God.After Jesus’ fast, the devil withdrew and ″angels came and accompanied him,″ according to the Bible (Matthew 4:11).Jesus’ return to Galilee was accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit, according to Luke 4:14, which brings the story of this trying period to a close.He had overcome temptation and was now prepared to undertake the mission for which He had been sent by His heavenly Father.The miracles, deliverance of the afflicted, and conquest of death would not be based on His humanity, but on His divinity.

It was through fasting that He declared control over His human nature, allowing Him to live every moment under the direction of the ″power of the Spirit″ (Luke 10:21).He served as a model for those of us who ″do not live in the realm of the body, but live in the realm of the Spirit,″ as Paul put it (Romans 8:9).It follows that, since the Son of God did not rely on His flesh to live in obedience to God, then neither can we.

Return to the previous page: Questions regarding Jesus Christ What was the reason for Jesus’ fasting?

Why Jesus was 40 Days in the Wilderness

.Have you ever pondered why Jesus chose to spend 40 days in a desert environment?Now here he is, the Son of God, sent to redeem the world, with just a short amount of time left to complete his earthly mission.God, on the other hand, saw it necessary for His son to spend 40 days and 40 nights away from civilization, away from any possibility to assist or benefit others.

Why?
Before we can comprehend why Jesus walked into the desert, we must first comprehend the incident that occurred immediately before it and the significance of that event.
Immediately before Jesus’ trek in the desert was his baptism by John the Baptist, at which time the gates of Heaven were opened and he was welcomed into their presence.
And it came to pass during those days that Jesus traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Jordan, where he was baptized by John the Baptist.

On his way back up out of the water, he noticed that the skies had been opened, and that the Spirit had descended upon him like a dove.And there was a voice from heaven, saying, ″You are my beloved Son, in whom I take pleasure,″ and the voice continued.(Matthew 1:9-11) The skies being opened to Jesus signifies that he was able to see spiritually for the first time in his life.Until that point, despite the fact that he was born of the spirit of God, his sole means of communication with his Father was through the (Old Testament) Scriptures.In this regard, he was no different from any other guy who lived at the period.

It was his baptism by John that most accurately depicted what occurs to us when we are baptized by the Holy Ghost.When he entered, he was a physical creature, constrained by his intellect and knowledge; but, when he emerged, he had been ″reborn″ as a spiritual person, with the skies (the spiritual realm) opened to him and direct access to his Father, God, as a result of his transformation.In the same way, when Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened unto him; and behold, the Spirit of God descended like a dove and rested upon him; and behold, there came a voice from heaven saying, ″This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well delighted.″ (1 Corinthians 3:16–17) Until yet, only Jesus has reported seeing the Spirit of God descend like a dove (it is not said that the Spirit looked like a dove, but rather that the Spirit descended like a dove) upon him.However, in the Gospel of John, we discover that John the Baptist witnessed what Jesus witnessed, and we also learn why.According to John, he witnessed the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it took up residence on him.(John 1:14) And I had no idea who he was (as the Messiah), but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ″Upon whoever you shall see the Spirit descending, and abiding on him, is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.″ And I had no idea who he was.

It was then that I recognized him as the son of God, and I made a public declaration of it.(See also John 1:32-34) John didn’t look at Jesus and recognize him as the son of God, and this was a mistake.Seeing the Holy Spirit of God descend upon Jesus by the power of the spirit was the proof, the spiritual experience, the understanding in his heart that Jesus was the son of God, since God had informed him that would be the proof would be the spiritual experience.

The very first thing God ever said to His son was that he was His beloved son, and that He was delighted with him (another way of putting it is ″This is my son, the beloved, in whom I have found joy.″).
This was the first time God ever spoke personally to him.
The first things God affirmed to Jesus once He was given the power to interact with him directly were that 1) he was His son; 2) he was cherished by Him; and 3) He was thrilled in him (that is, inside him).
Now we can get to the heart of the matter: why did Jesus go into the wilderness?

Then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was driven into the desert to be tempted (to be tempted) by the devil.
And when he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he found himself hungry again later.
Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:17) And soon after that, the Spirit pushes him (with the concept of expulsion in mind) into the desert.
In the desert, Jesus was tempted by Satan for forty days, and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels tended to him throughout this time.

(Matthew 1:12; Mark 1:13) And when Jesus returned from Jordan, he was overflowing with the Holy Spirit, and he was driven into the desert by the Spirit.Being subjected to the devil’s temptation for forty days.Then, when those days were over, he was starving, and when those days were over, he became hungry again.(Luke 4:12; Luke 4:13) Going into the desert was not Jesus’ idea; it was the idea of his Father, who he followed.In the desert, it was the spirit of God who ″guided″ him, if not ″drove″ him, into the wilderness.

It is clear from all of these stories that the presence of the Holy Spirit was with Jesus at all times during those forty days and nights.
His Father never abandoned him or left him alone at any point in his life.
Jesus constantly walked in the spiritual consciousness of his Father’s love and joy in him, from the moment of his baptism by John until the time of his death on the cross.

In Mark, there is a sense of urgency and intensity that is lacking in the other two recordings.This was something that God desired to take place in his son’s life as soon as possible.What was it?It was the opportunity to be alone with Him while being tempted by the devil.The second thing that Jesus needed to learn about (after discovering his Father’s love and joy in him) was how his adversary operates and thinks.

Jesus had to learn to distinguish the voice and techniques of his (and his Father’s) adversary in order to defeat him.
What is the significance of forty days?
It is mentioned several times in the Bible as a season of trial, of testing in order to be cleaned or purified and perfected; similarly, items are tested and their defects fixed in order to assure their capacity and endurance.
It rained for 40 days and 40 nights during Noah’s period.

During Moses’ time, after believing he could redeem Israel in his own manner, Moses went to Midian and lived there for 40 years until returning to deliver Israel in God’s way.After rejecting the notion that they were heirs to the Promised Land, Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years, until all those who did not believe died, at which point Israel entered the Promised Land and became the nation of Israel.The following 40 days followed Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, during which time he stayed on earth until he ascended into heaven.Having the power to directly reach heaven and his Father means, in the case of Jesus, having the ability to recognize and deal with the devil and all of the devil’s spirits on a one-to-one basis.Before he could begin his earthly mission, Jesus had to undergo a trial by his spiritual adversary.While in the desert, apart from others, Jesus not only experienced a tremendous closeness with his Father, but also stood up to the devil and conquered him, ensuring that this well-seasoned skill would be totally at his disposal when he carried out the duties of the Christ.

This was done in order for the son of God to be manifested (which began at his baptism by John when he was revealed to John as being the son of God), so that he might demolish the works of the devil (the doing of which began in the wilderness immediately afterward).The Bible says in I John 3:8b: Since Adam, no other man has ever confronted the devil personally, with the exception of Jesus.This is due to the fact that no other individual has ever had paradise totally exposed to him.(If you have any queries about how the devil and his spirits reside in heaven, please refer to the study.) What is Heaven like, and when will we be able to get there?) This is because the mission of Jesus as the Christ could not begin until Jesus, as God’s visible spiritual son, had successfully tested Satan (and so had learnt to plainly discern and overcome him) (the devil and all his spiritual host of devil spirits).Only after his effective stand against the devil in the desert, in which he demonstrated that he had gained and operated authority over the wicked one, was Jesus anointed to be the Christ, and only then did he begin his earthly ministry in the role of the Messiah.And Jesus came to Galilee in the power of the Spirit after spending 40 days in the wilderness…

And he made his way to Nazareth…And he received the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, which was handed to him.When he opened the scroll, he discovered the following passage: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me (verb form of ″Christ″) to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who have been bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18).And he started to speak to them, saying, ″This day is the fulfillment of this scripture in your ears.″ (Luke 4:14a, 16a, 17-19, and 21; Matthew 4:14a, 16a, 17-19, and 21) The adversary has not been able to adequately test people who appear to represent the things of God in today’s church bodies, even those who teach and preach and exercise control over others, in far too many church bodies.Despite the fact that they have been taught the Bible and how to teach it, as well as how to handle the affairs of their denomination, heaven has not been opened unto them in order for them to learn to distinguish the voice of their adversary and to stand against him.As a result, the methods of the devil become confused with the ways of God.

Every man and woman who desires to serve the living God through the spirit must, by necessity, go through a period of testing by the devilish principalities and powers of the heavenly realm at some point in their spiritual education and according to God’s timetable, and come away cleansed and strengthened by God on the other side.
When they do, the service to the body that Christ is doing in their hearts and lives may be carried out successfully and forcefully, free from the deception of the adversary of God’s kingdom..

Related Studies

After reading this study, you may want to check out one of the linked studies listed below to see how it challenged your thinking and opened up your knowledge of Christ: What Are the Advantages of Tribulation?What is Heaven like, and when will we be able to reach there?Conform, reform, or transform are the three options.The Unforgivable Sin is a sin that cannot be forgiven.

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Jesus (Fasting and Prayer)

Then the Spirit took Jesus into the desert, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights.And when He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He was starving afterward.Matthew 4:1-2 (KJV) Then, after being filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was taken by the Spirit into the desert, where he was tormented by the devil for forty days by the serpent.And for those days, He didn’t eat anything, and subsequently, when they were over, He was starving.

Luke 4:1-2 (KJV) Jesus began His public ministry by fasting for forty days and forty nights.
Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights!
When we examine the scriptures, we notice that ″Jesus was led up by the Spirit″ and that ″Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit.″ The key is to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Fasting is defined as ″to refrain from eating or to go without nourishment.″ Due of the fact that this was so significant to Jesus, you should take this into consideration for your own life as well.

I’ve fasted for 40 days on one occasion, 28 days on another, and countless times for 7 days and 3 days.It’s a lovely and incredible experience to be had.When you face difficulties during the first few days, the ‘Glory of the Lord will come upon you’.I will not give a teaching on fasting, but will instead remain focused on Jesus and fasting as a whole.Jesus warns about the perils in the passage that comes after this.

Matthew 6:16-18 is a passage of scripture that teaches about forgiveness.″Moreover, while you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, who have a dejected expression on their faces.Because they disfigure their features, they give the impression to males that they are fasting.″But you, when you fast, anoint your head with oil and wash your face, ″so that you do not appear to mankind to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the hidden place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you publicly,″ says the Lord.In order to demonstrate their self-righteousness, many religious leaders would fast in public during this time period.We are not fasting in order to impress God or other people.

When Jesus said, ″when you fast,″ he was implying that His disciples would fast and that He desired that they do so as well.Matthew 9:14-15 is a biblical passage.In response to their question, the apostle John’s followers approached Him and asked, ″Why do we and the Pharisees fast frequently, but Your disciples do not fast?″ ″Can the friends of the bridegroom weep as long as the bridegroom is present with them?″ Jesus inquired of them.

However, there will come a time when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and they will fast until that time comes.
Mark 2:18-20 (KJV) The followers of John and the Pharisees were fasting at the time of John’s death.
After that, they came up to Him and said, ″Why do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast, but Your followers do not fast?″ ″Do the friends of the bridegroom have the right to fast while the bridegroom is present?″ Jesus inquired of them.
″They are unable to fast as long as they have the bridegroom with them.″ However, there will come a time when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and for those days, they will observe a fast.

Luke 5:33-35 (KJV) It was at that point that they asked Him, ″Why do the disciples of John fast frequently and pray, and likewise do those of the Pharisees, while Your followers eat and drink?″ And He asked them, ″Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is present?″ They replied affirmatively, ″Yes.″ There will be times when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and at such times they will fast.″ Fasting was observed by John the Baptist and his disciples.
They were curious as to why the disciples of Jesus did not fast during the Passover.
Jesus stated that He was now there with them.
They would be able to enjoy His presence while also fasting after He had left them.

Fasting is observed on this day.Now, have a look at the following: Matthew 17:19–21 (KJV) Afterwards, the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, ″Why couldn’t we just send him out?″ ″Because of your unbelief; for surely, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.″ This sort, on the other hand, does not leave until through prayer and fasting.″ Mark 9:28-29 (KJV) And when He entered the home, His followers secretly inquired of Him, ″Why couldn’t we just throw him out?″ they questioned.Therefore, He explained to them that ″nothing except prayer and fasting will bring this sort of person out.″ One purpose for fasting and praying is to address the ‘impossible needs’ of those around us.Some miracles need a combination of fasting and prayer.We can expect miracles if we follow Jesus’ instructions in this and fast and pray.

Glory!
What are you prepared to give up if you want to see the miracle-working power of Jesus manifested in your life and ministry?
There were others who fasted!

Luke 2:36-37 (KJV) There was just one of them, Anna, a prophetess who was the daughter of Phanuel and a member of the tribe of Asher.She was of advanced years, and she had been married for seven years when she had lost her virginity; and this woman was a widow of around eighty-four years, who did not leave the temple, but worshipped God with fasting and prayers at all hours of the day and night.Acts 13:2–3 (KJV) Following their prayer and fasting before the Lord, the Holy Spirit told them, ″Now remove Barnabas and Saul from among you for the job to which I have called them.″ After they had fasted and prayed for them, as well as laid hands on them, they sent them on their way.Acts 14:23 (KJV) Consequently, when they had named leaders in every church and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had placed their trust.Stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, fasting; 2 Corinthians 11:27 fatigue and toil, frequent sleeplessness, hunger and thirst, frequent fasting, cold and nakedness–these are the experiences that Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 6:5.

Arthur and Denise Blessitt are Jesus’ disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Luke 18:1 (KJV)

How Long Did Jesus’ Fast in the Wilderness Last?

During his earthly ministry, Jesus fasted just once, according to the Bible, and that was on the day of Pentecost.According to the Gospel of Luke, shortly following his baptism, Jesus was taken by the Spirit into the desert, where he fasted for forty days (Luke 4:2).″Forty days and forty nights,″ according to the Gospel of Matthew, was the length of the fast (Matthew 4:2).When Jesus fasted, what exactly did he mean, and why did he choose to do so?

In addition, what can we learn about spiritual disciplines and their function in our lives from Jesus’ fasting for 40 days and 40 nights?

When and How Long Did Jesus Fast?

We are told in the Gospel of Matthew that heaven opens, the Spirit of God descends upon Jesus, and the voice of God can be heard proclaiming, ″This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.″ This occurs shortly after Jesus has been baptized by John in the Jordan river (Matthew 3:16-17).Afterwards, Jesus promptly departs for the desert, where he will be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1).According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was ″full of the Holy Spirit″ when he was tested for forty days by the devil.According to Luke 4:2, ″He didn’t eat anything for those days, and towards the end of them he was famished.″ The events of Jesus’ baptism and temptation are immediately followed by the commencement of his travels, during which he went across Judea teaching and proclaiming God’s word to everyone who would pay attention.

Many believe that the temptation helped Jesus prepare for his ministry.

Where Did Jesus Fast?

It is believed by scholars that Jesus fasted in the Judean wilderness, which is located close to the Jordan River. Temptation Mountain is an isolated and secluded location that overlooks the city but is steep and difficult to climb, according to legend, where the devil took him at one time. It is said to be the location where the devil kidnapped him at one point.

What Happens in This Story?

When Jesus fasts in each of the gospel stories, it signifies that he has chosen to limit or eliminate his food consumption.According to Luke’s story, ″he didn’t eat anything for those days, and towards the end of them he was starving″ (Luke 4:2).Jesus is tested at this period, as the devil tempts him in an attempt to take advantage of Jesus’s vulnerable position.To gain the grandeur of all the kingdoms of the earth, the devil tells Jesus to transform a stone into bread, to hurl himself from a cliff (to illustrate how the angels would save him), and to worship him (the devil).

Jesus responds to each of the temptations with the truth of the Word of God.
The reality that ″man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God″ is how Jesus responds to the devil’s challenge to change the stone into bread (Matt.
4:4).
To the challenge of jumping from the cliff, Jesus responds with the words, ″Do not put the Lord your God to the test″ (Matt.

4:7).And in response to the temptation to prostrate oneself and worship the devil, Jesus says, ″Away from me, Satan!Because it says in the Bible, ″Worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.″ (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:10).After that, the devil went; Jesus had passed the test and had refused to give in to temptation.Photo courtesy of Kyle Cottrell via Unsplash.

Why Did Jesus Fast?

Jesus most likely fasted in order to prepare himself for service by becoming more intimate with God.One of the reasons people fast is to put their bodies into a condition of weakness, which allows them to concentrate on the essentials of life and hear God’s message more clearly without the distractions of so-called creature comforts, which may both soothe and divert us from our spiritual quest.Jesus was well aware that he had a difficult task ahead of him and that he needed to clear his brain before beginning to perform miracles.Being declared the Son of God at his baptism, he needed to recover his humility and recommit himself fully to God’s will in order to genuinely carry out his Father’s task.

He also saw that he needed to comprehend the far inferior intellect of humans, a sinful and occasionally rebellious people that sorely needed their savior, Messiah, the Christ, to be understood.

Did Jesus Drink Water or Eat Anything While Fasting?

Fasting entails drastically decreasing one’s caloric intake, and in certain cases, completely eliminating it.We aren’t given any information on what is happening.Some academics think Jesus ate nothing at all, as indicated by Luke 4:2, and that this was the case.Others believe he scavenged the bleak countryside for pieces of food that he had consumed very little of—virtually nothing.

Because the fast simply mentions that he ″ate nothing,″ rather than that he ″drank nothing,″ the majority of scholars conclude that water was most likely consumed during this period.

How Did Jesus Fast for Forty Days?

Water and food are only needed for a few days, and individuals can do without water for a few weeks at the most, according to scientists.Forty days is a much longer period of time.According to the standard male lifespan, Jesus would not have survived forty days if he had only taken water and not eaten anything.He was not, however, a regular man; he was the Son of God who was empowered by the Holy Spirit and bestowed with miraculous powers, which enabled him to fast for as long was required.

The fast was intended to put him in a vulnerable position, allowing him to get closer to God but also leaving him more susceptible to temptations, so making his triumph over these temptations that more sweeter.
Even if he had consumed some food throughout the fast, he would have been in a physically and psychologically debilitated position as a result of it.
During the fast, he is likely to have saved energy by moving around as little as he could.
It’s likely that he prayed and meditated in the presence of the Lord throughout this period.

When the devil arrived, he was well prepared.

What Is the Point of Fasting?

Some people fast in order to lose weight, however the majority of people fast for spiritual reasons instead.The majority of the time, individuals engage in a spiritual fast as a means of depriving themselves of physical pleasures, or even basic nutrition, in order to achieve a higher level of consciousness and knowledge of the Lord.Jesus would have fasted in order to come closer to God and to concentrate on his spiritual self, putting aside as many of his physical demands and desires as he could.Today, Christians frequently observe a spiritual fast for the same reasons.

When we fast, we do it in order to deny ourselves and achieve more spiritual understanding.
It is through fasting that we are able to lower our own strength and be strengthened by relying on the Lord.
We also fast in order to show our support for those who are suffering.

How Can We Do a Fast Today?

If you are interested in attempting a spiritual fast, keep in mind that you are not Jesus, and that going into the wilderness alone for forty days is not a suggested choice for you.There are, however, several safe methods of fasting that you can use.In the Bible, fasting is mentioned dozens of times as a method of prayer, of grieving, or of drawing closer to God.First and foremost, contact with a medical professional before fasting to ensure that you do it in a healthy manner.

Following that, experts recommend that you begin with short durations of time at a time and work your way up to larger periods.
Keep hydrated, and don’t set yourself the objective of depriving yourself of all meals.
It is more important to realize that the goal is to reach a state of bodily denial in order to better focus on your spiritual heart.
Finally, remember to maintain your attention on God and on your prayers.

Allow yourself to be honest and vulnerable with your Creator throughout this period of time.According to the Bible, Jesus’ forty-day fast served as a significant aspect of his life and prepared him for his earthly ministry.What we don’t know is whether Jesus fasted only once or whether this was a regular occurrence for him.This is the only time in the Bible that it is mentioned.In contrast, when Jesus emerged triumphant from the desert and into the presence of his heavenly Father, he was ready and eager to accomplish anything God asked of him—including dying on the Cross for the sins of all mankind.

We may learn a great deal about Jesus by studying his fast.We can also learn about the necessity of spending time alone with God and about what we can learn when we walk away from bodily comfort and embrace difficulties for a period of time.Articles that are related Understanding Fasting and Prayer for Christians is essential.What Is the Purpose of Fasting, Exactly?6 Reminders for Dealing with Temptation in the Way of Jesus Photograph courtesy of Getty Images/1971yes She is a published Christian author and journalist who has worked in the fields of journalism, editing, blogging, and writing coaching.Her novel, The Memory Garden, was awarded the Genesis Award by the American Christian Fiction Writers in 2018 for best novel.

She also serves as the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, which is the denomination’s oldest publication.Her fiction and religion blog, JessicaBrodie.com, provide further information about her work.She also has a weekly devotional video on YouTube.

You may also find her on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and others.
She’s also written a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices for When You’re Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed, which you can get here.

Why Did Jesus Fast?

Fasting is a popular practice that may be traced back to the biblical text.Eating fasting is the voluntary and entire abstention from food for a specified period of time or days, with the goal of devoting oneself to God via prayer and seeking His will.The story of Jesus’ fasting may be found in Matthew 4:1–11 on one significant occasion.According to this verse, Jesus fasted for a number of different reasons.

This essay will go into great depth about each of these four primary causes in further detail.

1. Jesus’ Flesh Was at its Weakest

One of the primary reasons for this is that Jesus’ flesh was at its most vulnerable during the period of fasting.This implies that Jesus was definitely one of us throughout this time period – a human being.Through the act of fasting, he was able to sense the frailty of flesh for the first time.What does it mean to be made of the weakest of flesh?

It implies that it is sensitive to temptations, which explains why Satan was able to entice him at this period.
We, as humans, are constantly confronted with the fragility of the body, just because we are human.
Jesus is an example of this.
Jesus was both entirely God and totally man at the same time.

As a result, He was impervious to all forms of temptation.However, it was during this period of fasting that He was able to feel the frailty of the body and therefore become one of us, as well.We should be grateful to Him for all of His sacrifices, since His fasting was only one of the many that He made on our behalf while serving as our Savior.In Romans 8:9, we are reminded of the importance of prayer.Although you may be living in the body right now, you are in fact living in the realm of the Spirit, assuming that the Holy Ghost is present in your life.

Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ, and vice versa.

2. He Had Conquered Temptation

Jesus’ fasting also serves as an illustration of how He overcame temptation throughout His life.According to the Bible, Satan tried to seduce Him several times.First, Satan tempted Jesus by offering him the opportunity to change stones into loaves of food to satisfy His hunger.Second, Satan enticed Jesus to hurl Himself on the ground in order for the angels to come to His aid, therefore demonstrating that He was actually the Son of God.

Finally, Satan tempted Jesus by saying that if He worshipped Satan, all of the world’s splendor would be handed to Him.
However, Jesus was able to overcome all of these temptations with a few basic, yet effective rebuttals.
First and foremost, He stated that man cannot exist just on bread.
Second, He warned against putting the Lord God to the test.

At the end, He told Satan, ″Worship the Lord your God, and serve him exclusively″ (Matthew 4:10).This story demonstrates to us that Jesus’ fasting is a testament to His ability to overcome temptation.This offers us reason to be optimistic about our own temptations.When we are confronted with temptation, we should recall Jesus and beg for His assistance in warding off Satan.″I will overcome temptation in the name of Jesus Christ.″

3. True Nourishment Comes from God

Moreover, Jesus’ fasting serves as a testimony of His love and devotion to His Father.This is seen by the fact that He continuously refers to God when rebuking Satan’s seduction.A passage from Deuteronomy 8:3 is quoted in one of His rebuttals, which reads: He humbled you by starving you and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, in order to teach you that man does not live solely on bread, but on every word that comes from the Lord’s mouth.From Jesus’ response to the circumstance, we may learn a great deal.

Jesus did, in fact, establish a high standard for His disciples down through the years.
According to Scripture, ″a lot of time had passed, and sailing had already become perilous due to the fact that it was after the Day of Atonement at this point.″ As a result, Paul cautioned them″ (Acts 27:9), and ″the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement.″ ″Convene a sacred assembly, abstain from food, and bring a food sacrifice to the Lord″ (Leviticus 23:27).

4. Fasting Is a Spiritual Tool

Finally, Jesus fasted in order to prepare Himself for the ultimate spiritual fight against Satan, which Satan unquestionably lost.The reason for this is that fasting is a spiritual tool that helps us prepare spiritually and puts us closer to God’s strength.It is a means of acknowledging that our talents are not our own, but rather the result of God.As a result, this is exactly what Jesus did while fasting.It consists in His acknowledging His Father’s orders and getting strength from His Father in return (Isaiah 58:6-14).

Why Does This Matter?

We have explored four key causes for Jesus’ fasting, which are as follows: Even though Jesus’ flesh was at its weakest, He overcame temptation, displayed his faith, and, eventually, used fasting as a spiritual weapon to draw strength from His heavenly Father in order to save mankind.Fasting was undoubtedly a part of our Almighty’s overall plan to rescue us via Jesus Christ, His only born Son, and it was part of that plan.It was a part of His preparation, both spiritually and physically, for this moment.This reality draws us even closer to Jesus and serves to stress how much He cares for us.Photograph courtesy of iStock/Getty Images Plus/1971yes.com Over a decade ago, Glory Dy began creating material on the internet.She and her family reside in a peaceful suburb with their four cats, whom they adore.

The First Sunday of Lent: Jesus is tempted in the desert // Faith at Marquette // Marquette University

As one Bible scholar pointed out, if Jesus had not revealed this event to some of his disciples, it would not have been included in the stories of his life and work.He is depicted as being susceptible to the deceptions of Satan.In the aftermath of his baptism, why would Jesus go into the desert for a forty-day retreat?For the same reason, individuals go on retreat: to reflect on who they are, where they are heading, and how they will get there in the best possible way.The blurring of one’s perspective on life occurs as a result of all the noise and bustle of everyday existence.At his baptism, Jesus required time to process the revelation of his identity revealed to him by the words of his Father: ″You are my beloved Son, and my favor is upon you.″

Matthew 4:1-11

At that point, Jesus was brought into the desert by the Holy Spirit, where he was tempted by the devil.He had fasted for forty days and forty nights and had become hungry as a result.″If you are the Son of God, order that these stones be transformed into loaves of bread,″ the tempter said as he approached him and added.″It is written: ‘One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,’″ he remarked in response.He was then taken to the sacred city, where the devil forced him to stand on the parapet of the temple and demanded that he throw himself down since he was the Son of God.He will direct his angels concerning you, and with their hands they will support you so that you do not strike your foot on a stone, as it is written.

″Again, it is stated, you shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test,″ Jesus said.″You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.″ He was taken up to a very high mountain by the devil, who showed him all of the kingdoms of the earth in all their splendor, and then told him, ″All of this I will give to you if you would prostrate yourself before me and worship me.″ ″Get out from here, Satan!″ Jesus said to him.It is written: ″You shall worship the Lord, your God, and you shall serve him alone,″ says the Bible.

The devil then left him, and behold, angels appeared and began to tend to him.

Reflection from the Preface of the Mass:

Because of his forty-day fast, this is considered a holy season of self-denial. Choosing to reject Satan’s temptations has taught us to cleanse ourselves of the hidden corruption of evil, and in doing so to eat his paschal feast with purity of heart until we reach the fulfillment of the meal’s completion in the promised land of heaven.

Suggestions for Reflection

Jesus was tested in the same way that we are. Temptations are not inherently harmful
rather, it is how we respond to them that determines whether we turn to God or away from God. Do we perceive temptations as opportunities to turn to God rather than relying on our own abilities?
Is there a difference between the ways Jesus was tempted and the ways we are tempted, or is there a similarity? Satan is inviting Jesus to deny his status as the Son of God, which is hidden under the surface of the various temptations he faces. What if our temptations are a call to abandon the sort of person we aspire to be and instead turn to harmful means of satisfying our needs?
By refusing to give in to the temptations, Jesus opted to rely on his Father to fulfill his deepest hunger, to relate to people in a normal way, and to not place his trust in his reputation, power, or wealth to provide for him. How can we sate our most insatiable cravings? Do we rely on our position of prominence and power to make ourselves acceptable to others?
Are we going to utilize the forty days of Lent as a period of retreat, setting aside time for extra introspection and prayer?

Next Week
Lent index

The surprising truth about fasting for Lent

The excesses of the carnival have come to an end, and the cleanup has been accomplished.So starts the traditional time of abstinence that occurs at the beginning of each year.Lent is a 40-day period leading up to Easter, the holiest day in the Christian calendar, during which people swear to abstain from everything from drinking and smoking to nail-biting and overeating.Nonetheless, considering the historical significance of Jesus’ death from the very beginning of Christianity, it is rather unexpected that the practice of commemorating this momentous day has altered significantly over the past two thousand years – and in some unusual ways.

Lent in the New Testament

Today, Lent is associated with Jesus’ 40-day fast (Mark 1:13; Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13), which was instituted by the apostles.Although Mark informs us that Jesus was tempted by Satan, it is in Matthew and Luke that the specifics of the temptation are laid out in greater detail.In all three of the narratives, Jesus is said to have gone without food for 40 days.Christians, like devotees of many other religions, have practiced fasting for centuries.After Christians began to fast particularly before Easter, around 300 years after Jesus’ death, it was only then that anybody went to the Bible for guidance on where they should draw inspiration for the practice.The two had not previously been associated, which is unexpected given their proximity.

So, what exactly happened?

The holiness of hunger

Fasting, which involves abstaining from eating (and occasionally drinking) for a lengthy period of time, is a tradition that dates back thousands of years.Ancient Jews fasted on specific days throughout the year, according to the Jewish calendar.Fasting is assumed to be a typical element of Jewish religious practice in both Mark 2:18–23 and Matthew 6:16–18, for example, according to the New Testament.Another set of Jewish literature from the Greco-Roman era depicts fasting as a viable alternative to sacrifice in certain situations.Fasting is described in Psalms of Solomon 3:8–9 as a means of atonement for sins and as a frequent practice of the virtuous, approximately one hundred years before Jesus was born.Christians appear to have observed fast days on the same days as Jews throughout the early years of Christianity’s historical development.

Some authors were vehemently opposed to this intermixing of cultures and religions, and they were not alone.In a letter written against Christians having anything in common with Jews, John Chrysostom (c.349-407) chastises Christians who fast on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, as a sign of repentance.

As with Yom Kippur, abstaining from food and drink might be interpreted as a form of atonement, but it could also be interpreted as preparing the way for an anticipated encounter with God.According to Exodus 34:28, Moses fasted prior to ascending the mountain to meet with God and receive the Ten Commandments, a practice that continues today.Fasting is also significant in other scriptures that are closer in time to Jesus’ period, such as 4 Ezra, which is likewise a closer date to Jesus’ time.In this first-century passage, Ezra prepares himself to hear insights from God by fasting for seven days and refraining from eating and drinking.

An angel appears to him once he has completed his fasting time and reveals holy truths to him.The purpose of Jesus’ fasting in the desert, then, would have been to prepare him for communion with God and to fortify him against the devil’s temptations, according to traditional interpretation.It should come as no surprise that later Christians started to link fasting with being near to God as a result of this.The so-called ″holy anorexics,″ women like as Angela of Foligno (1248–1309) and Catherine of Siena (1347–1380), who avoided any food save the Eucharist, are perhaps the most well-known evolution of fasting practice that arises beyond antiquity.

The true origins of Lent

Fasting was mentioned in Christian writings as early as the second century, although different Christian organizations appear to have observed a variety of different sorts and lengths of fasts, and even within a church, there appeared to be divisions of opinion.Irenaeus of Lyons made the following observation on the variety: It is not just about the day that is under question, but also concerning the actual form of the fast that is being observed.Some believe they should fast one day, others two, and still others three or more; some, for that matter, believe that their day is comprised of 40 hours of daylight and darkness.According to the Didascalia, a Syrian Christian manuscript that dates back to the third century AD, the oldest known reference to a continuous fast lasting more than two or three days is found.As a result, you must fast throughout the days of the Pascha beginning on the tenth, which is the second day of the week, and you must only eat bread, salt, and water from the ninth hour until the fifth day of the week, or until the day after the Pascha is celebrated.On the other hand, on Friday and Saturday, fast completely and do not eat or drink anything…

For we, too, fasted at the time of our Lord’s suffering in order to bear witness to the three days…It is interesting that this passage does not make the connection between a six-day fast and Easter and Jesus’s suffering, but it does not make the connection between a six-day fast and Jesus’s 40-day temptation as recounted in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.When Peter I of Alexandria, in the fourth century, made the connection between Christian penitential (but not yet Lenten) fasting and Jesus’ 40-day desert fast, he was considered a pioneer.

For the purpose of keeping them in mind of these things, I believe it is sufficient to impose on them another forty days from the time of their submissive approach; those forty days during which, despite the fact that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ had fasted, He was still tempted by the devil after He had been baptized.Then, after they have exercised themselves vigorously and fasted on a regular basis during these days, they should sit in prayer, contemplating what was said by Christ to the devil who tempted Him to fall down and worship him: ‘Get behind me, Satan; for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.’ Indeed, it is possible that the practice of fasting became connected with the period leading up to Easter as a result of the increasing number of baptisms that took place around this time.As baptism grew more closely connected with Easter in the fourth century AD, it is conceivable that fasting during the three-week period leading up to baptism became more generalized to include those who were already Christians.Until the Emperor Constantine decreed a consistent method of calculating the day of Easter, a particular Lenten fast was not universally observed by Christians until the fourth century.

The changing traditions associated with Lent can also be seen in Pope Francis’ recent announcement that women would be permitted to participate in the foot washing service, which commemorates Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet (John 13:1–20), which was performed to commemorate Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet.In any case, it is apparent that many of the Christian feast days and fast days precede the religion, but that they have also been altered over time by the faith’s members as well.Furthermore, it serves as a reminder that nothing remains the same — including religious beliefs.

40 Days

Greetings, PRECIOUS Friends!This is something I believe to be true.At the very least, it is something we should be aware of.This came up as a result of an iMessage that was being shared in Italy at the time of the corona crisis.I included numerous biblical teachings into my writing.QUARANTINE WORLDWIDE The deluge continued for 40 days.

The Exodus spanned 40 years from Egypt to Israel.Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, and he fasted for 40 days at that time.After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the apparitions of Jesus to his disciples lasted 40 days.

It appears that the isolation known as ″quarantine″ to which we are forced will endure for a total of 40 days.The number 40 appears several times in the Bible.Several academics believe that the number 40 represents the number of ″probation″ or ″trial″ since it appears so frequently in settings involving judgment or testing.This does not rule out the possibility that the number 40 is just symbolic; it does have a literal value in Scripture.

Even though the phrase ″forty days″ simply means ″forty days,″ it appears that God picked this particular number to assist emphasize periods of adversity and suffering.Some examples of how the Bible makes use of the number 40 that emphasize the subject of testing or judgment are as follows: When God destroyed the earth with water in the Old Testament, He caused it to rain for 40 days and 40 nights as a result (Genesis 7:12).Following Moses’ killing of the Egyptian, he escaped to Midian, where he spent 40 years raising animals in the barren desert (Acts 7:30).Moses stayed on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights, and during that time he experienced many miracles (Exodus 24:18).Moses interceded on Israel’s behalf for 40 days and 40 nights, and the people of Israel were grateful (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25).

The Law imposed a restriction on the amount of lashes a man might get for a crime, with the maximum number of lashes being 40.(Deuteronomy 25:3).It took the Israelite spies 40 days to spy on and scout out Canaan (Numbers 13:25).The Israelites were on the go for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5).

Israel had been allied with the Philistines for 40 years prior to Samson’s liberation (Judges 13:1).Goliath tormented Saul’s forces for 40 days until David arrived to destroy him and put an end to their rebellion (1 Samuel 17:16).In order to escape Jezebel, Elijah trekked to Mt.Horeb, which took him 40 days and 40 nights (1 Kings 19:8).40 occurs in the prophesies of Ezekiel (4:6; 29:11-13) and Jonah (4:6), as well as in the book of Revelation (3:4).

Fasting and Prayer Guide

Fasting is a very effective spiritual discipline.The Holy Spirit has the ability to alter your life via fasting and prayer.Furthermore, the practice of fasting has deep historical origins in the Bible.During his earthly ministry, Jesus spent a significant amount of time fasting and praying, and he expected his disciples to do so as well.Fasting is most usually defined as abstaining from eating or a certain type of food for an extended period of time.There are a variety of fasting methods available, each of which has the ability to assist you in your spiritual development.

When fasting, it’s critical to pay attention to both the Holy Spirit and your own body to verify that you’re doing it correctly.As an alternative to completely refraining from eating, you might fast from a certain type of food or even anything other than food, such as social media.Fasting till a specific time of day or skipping a specific meal are examples of such decisions.

There are a variety of approaches you may take to ensure you’re getting the physical sustenance you require while also benefiting from the spiritual nourishment that fasting and prayer provide.It is also possible that fasting and prayer will result in anything other than only personal development.When God’s people engage in biblical fasting and prayer, God listens from heaven and has the ability to heal our lives, our churches, our communities, our nations, and our entire globe, according to the Bible.Fasting and prayer have the potential to bring about revival—a shift in perspective.

5 Things Not to Do When Fasting Intermittently

Remember when we said that how you eat might be just as important as what you eat in our blog post?Intermittent fasting, on the other hand, has proven to be effective for many people in terms of weight loss.Intermittent fasting is defined as eating and drinking only during a specified window of time.For example, you might eat all of your meals between the hours of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m., or you might eat all of your meals between the hours of 10 a.m.and 6 p.m.

Abstaining from calories for a longer period of time allows your body to burn the fat that has been accumulated in your body (instead of only burning what you recently consumed).However, intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone, including diabetics who must eat at specific times to keep their blood sugar levels under control.The practice of intermittent fasting is not a one-size-fits-all strategy for weight management, especially when done incorrectly.

Especially given the fact that this is a relatively new style of eating, individuals aren’t usually familiar with the best practices.If you’ve begun or are thinking about starting an intermittent fasting regimen, there are several things you should avoid doing:

What Not to Do When Fasting Intermittently

1. DO NOT STOP DRINKING WATER IN YOUR FASTING WINDOW.

There are others who believe you are not even allowed to drink water during the fasting period. This is incorrect. Your body still need water to function properly. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially in the mornings after your body has been dehydrated for the whole night. Drinking coffee or tea before hydrating oneself with water is not recommended.

2. DO NOT JUMP INTO EXTENDED FASTING TOO QUICKLY.

In most cases, the fasting window is 16 hours.This might be challenging for someone who is accustomed to eating and snacking regularly.Make sure you start with a shorter fasting window, such as 13 hours, if this describes you.From then, you can gradually extend your window by one hour at a time as you feel ready.Slowly transitioning to a longer fasting window should alleviate hunger pangs, and you’ll be less likely to become frustrated about completing the diet.

3. DO NOT EAT TOO LITTLE DURING YOUR EATING WINDOW.

Ghrelin is a hunger hormone that tells your body when it’s time to eat. Insufficient nutrition prevents you from being able to turn off this hormone, which causes you to feel hungry all of the time. It’s critical to eat until you’re completely satiated.

4. DO NOT EAT A HIGH CARBOHYDRATE DIET.

The consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet might result in insulin resistance, which will negate the objective of lowering your insulin levels when on a prolonged fast.It is known as insulin resistance when cells in your muscles, body fat, and liver begin to resist or ignore the signal that tells our cells to move glucose from our circulation to our cells.Extra sugar remains in your system, increasing the risk of developing chronic health disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

5: DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL DURING YOUR FASTING PERIOD.

Just because alcohol is a liquid doesn’t mean it won’t break your fast.It has been demonstrated that alcohol slows the breakdown of fat.Drinking too much alcohol has been connected to weight gain and obesity.Knowing this, it’s recommended to restrict alcohol intake within your feeding window.To enhance your weight reduction objectives, read here for some low-impact activities that are gentle on your joints.By like Hospitality Health ER’s (Tyler) Facebook Page, you can also stay up to date with the newest healthcare news and information.

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Why did Jesus fast?

Why Jesus was 40 Days in the Wilderness

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Why Did Jesus Fast?

Did Jesus Drink Water or Eat Anything While Fasting?

How Did Jesus Fast for Forty Days?

What Is the Point of Fasting?

How Can We Do a Fast Today?

Why Did Jesus Fast?

1. Jesus’ Flesh Was at its Weakest

2. He Had Conquered Temptation

3. True Nourishment Comes from God

4. Fasting Is a Spiritual Tool

Why Does This Matter?

The First Sunday of Lent: Jesus is tempted in the desert // Faith at Marquette // Marquette University

Matthew 4:1-11

Reflection from the Preface of the Mass:

Suggestions for Reflection

The surprising truth about fasting for Lent

Lent in the New Testament

The holiness of hunger

The true origins of Lent

40 Days

Fasting and Prayer Guide

5 Things Not to Do When Fasting Intermittently

What Not to Do When Fasting Intermittently

1. DO NOT STOP DRINKING WATER IN YOUR FASTING WINDOW.

2. DO NOT JUMP INTO EXTENDED FASTING TOO QUICKLY.

3. DO NOT EAT TOO LITTLE DURING YOUR EATING WINDOW.

4. DO NOT EAT A HIGH CARBOHYDRATE DIET.

5: DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL DURING YOUR FASTING PERIOD.

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