What Jesus Said About Fasting?

Two Instructions from Jesus on Fasting

And while you fast, avoid looking depressed, as hypocrites do, who disfigure their features in order to demonstrate to others that they are fasting from something.They have, I swear to you, gotten their just compensation.While fasting, apply oil to your head and wash your face so that your fasting will be noticed not by others but by your Father who sees everything in secret.Your Father who sees everything in secret will reward you for your fasting.Matthew 6:16 (KJV) Giving, prayer, and fasting were the three most important religious acts practiced by Jews throughout history.In fact, Jesus’ own mission began with a forty-day fast that was unprecedented in history.

Jesus opens with the phrase ″Whenever you fast,″ implying that he expected his disciples to fast, despite the fact that neither he nor any of the New Testament writers demand it.Jesus gives no specific instructions on when or how to fast, other than to emphasize that fasting should not be done for the sake of appearances.Many people who fasted made a point of dressing in ragged clothes, wiping their heads with ashes, and stumbling around as if they were bearing a heavy load, according to reports.

Jesus provides two pieces of advice.First and foremost, during fasting, maintain a normal—and cheerful—appearance.″…massage oil into your scalp and cleanse your face…

″ In Jesus’ day, the treatment with oil and water was the standard on a daily basis.That’s exactly what folks did before heading out to eat or drink.According to Is.

1. 61:3, since oil was associated with joy, one should appear not only normal but also pleasant!
2. Second, Jesus taught that during fasting, one should fast for God, ″…
3. in order that your fasting may not be seen by others, but by your Father who is in secret,″ according to the Bible.
4. When we fast, we don’t do it to impress others or to display our piety or enthusiasm; we don’t fast in order to receive something from God.

Its primary motivation is a desire to be in connection with God.A two-and-a-half-day fasting retreat was suggested to me during my second year of ministry, and that was the beginning of my fasting journey.My memories of the experience are threefold: (1) how simple it was to pack for a youth retreat without food, (2) how difficult it was to fill the time that would otherwise be devoted to meal preparation, consumption, and cleanup, and (3) how much I despised going without food for two and a half days.

• The last twenty-five years, I’ve made it a point to include fasting into my weekly schedule as often as possible.
• For me, being exposed to the inside chorus of spoilt, whiny, enticing voices that persistently want to bully me back into my selfish, self-indulgent, self-absorbed nature has been a humbling and illuminating experience.
• Having learned that Jesus’ forty-day fast also exposed him to his own temptations, I’m feeling better (Matt.

• 4:1-11).
• Fasting has allowed me to sense a stronger connection with individuals who don’t have enough to eat on a regular basis.
• It has educated me about the pleasures of eating as well as the need of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• But, most importantly, fasting has allowed me to improve my relationship with God.
• Fasting is usually uncomfortable for me, so memorizing numerous portions of scripture to ″feed on″ when my stomach grumbles has proven to be really beneficial.

″I have something to eat that you have no idea what it is.″ (See also John 4:32) O God, you are my God; I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as if I were in a parched and parched region where there is no water to drink.As a result, I have gazed upon you in the sanctuary, awestruck by your might and majesty.My lips will sing your praises because your unwavering love is sweeter than life itself.

So I shall bless you for the rest of my life, lifting my hands to the sky and calling forth your name.Psalm 63:1-4 is a passage from the Bible that says QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION INCLUDE: Have you ever tried to fast?What was your experience like?

In the course of fasting or contemplating fasting, what do you learn about yourself?What do you take away from your experience with God?O Lord, my God, I pray to you today.When I think of you on my bed and ponder on you in the wee hours of the morning, my soul is pleased as if it had eaten a plentiful feast, and my tongue praises you with joyous lips; for you have been my aid, and under the shadow of your wings I sing for pleasure.

• Despite everything, my soul is clinging to you, and your right hand keeps me up.
• (Psalm 63:5–8).
• Amen.
• Dave Peterson is an ordained minister who serves as the Director of Community Outreach for The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation as well as the Scholarly Advisor for the H.
• E.

Butt Family Foundation.He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.He is the author of Receiving and Giving: Unleashing the Bless Challenge in Your Life, as well as several other books and articles.Dave and his wife, Terri, are the parents of four grown children and the grandparents of four grandkids.Send a letter to Dave’s attention.

Tithing

Should Christians (or Christian-owned companies) give tithes to the church?What amount of money should I distribute?Is it God’s will for me to take a vow of poverty and give away everything I possess?Is it possible that God will punish me if I don’t tithe?How can I strike a balance between my financial needs and desires and the biblical requirement to give?If you’ve ever wondered what tithing is and how it pertains to you, you’re not alone in wanting to know the answers to these and other questions.

In this High Calling subject, we’ll be delving into the idea of tithing, and we encourage you to join us on the journey.Ask questions, share your thoughts, and help us to keep the dialogue going by providing your feedback.Sydney Agee is responsible for the featured photograph.

Permission has been granted for use.Photograph courtesy of Flickr.

JESUS IS QUESTIONED ABOUT FASTING

• ASK JESUS ABOUT FASTING AND HE REPLIES: Matthew 9:14-17
• Mark 2:18-22
• Luke 5:33-39
• We read in these words that Jesus is being questioned about his fasting. Not only does He respond to the issue that was brought to Him, but He also provides them with three parables. Many people have been perplexed by the meaning of these three parables, and I have to admit that they might be difficult to understand. I have always believed that a parable should never be limited to a single interpretation, and I have discovered at least two different interpretations of what Jesus was teaching in these parables. But first, let’s take a closer look at the environment in which these parables are being told. Just before He was asked about fasting, Jesus had just completed answering the Scribes and Pharisees’ concern about why He was dining with sinners, which they had raised earlier. They were continually on the lookout for an opportunity to make Jesus appear bad or cause issues for Him, and this occasion was no exception to their strategy. Mark 2:18 is a passage from the Bible that explains what happened to Jesus. 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?″ According to Mark, the question was posed by John’s disciples and the Pharisees
• however, according to Matthew, it was John’s disciples who posed the inquiry. In light of their previous involvement in scheming against Jesus, we may fairly presume that the Pharisees were the primary driving factor behind this development (Mat. 12:14
• Mk. 3:6). According to Luke, Jesus was also questioned about prayer, but the major focus of the questioning was on fasting. Before we proceed any further, let us discuss the practice of fasting. When it came to fasting in the Bible, it meant abstaining from food and drink for a variety of reasons, including: times of sorrow and grief (1 Sam. 31:13
• 2 Sam. 1:12, 12:16
• Neh. 1:4)
• when it was accompanied by repentance (1 Sam. 7:6
• Jon. 3:5
• Acts 9:9)
• great religious events (Ex. 34:28
• Mat. 4:2
• Acts 13:2-3)
• times of personal service toward

• Fasting was also an element of Paul’s missionary work (2 Cor. 6:5, 11:27). Fasting provides several health and spiritual advantages, both physically and spiritually. In addition to being beneficial to your health, fasting allows your body to cleanse itself of contaminants.
• A person can develop greater self-discipline by fasting, which helps them to concentrate on what they are fasting for. Fasting also helps them to appreciate the things they have abstained from, which is something that God honors when done as a mark of real commitment.

While there are many things we might fast for today, we are not obligated to do so under the new covenant because of the nature of the agreement.Fasting is entirely up to the individual Christian.Fasting, on the other hand, was only required once a year on the Day of Atonement under the old covenant, as we can see in the following verse: Leviticus 23:27 is a passage from the Old Testament.″The Day of Atonement will be observed on the tenth day of this seventh month as well.It will be a holy convocation for you; you will anguish your souls and sacrifice a burnt offering to the LORD in commemoration of this occasion.Fasting is included in the phrase ″afflict your spirits″ (Isa.

58:3-5).In reality, the meaning of the word souls contains the following terms: self, life, creature, person, hunger, mind, living being, desire, emotion, and passion (among other things).The Day of Atonement, also known as the Day of Fasting (Jer.

36:6) or the Fast (Acts 27:9), occurred in modern October or September and was observed by Jews and Christians alike.When we return to our original text, it is critical to remember that we are dealing with two distinct groups of individuals who were fasting for a variety of reasons.Our first group, the Pharisees, was well-known for inventing new rules from scratch based on their own man-made traditions and attempting to impose them on others.Fasting was one of these customs that had been created by humans.

The Pharisees fasted for a variety of reasons, but they did so on Mondays and Thursdays as part of their religious routine (Luke 18:12).The Jews, according to Jewish tradition, believe that when Moses returned to Mount Sinai for a second time to receive the Ten Commandments, he ascended on our Thursday and descended on our Monday, prompting them to institute this ceremony.The majority of what the Pharisees did was for the sake of outward display and gaining the approval of others (Mat.

1. 23:1-5).
2. To put it another way, their fasts were not serious at all.
3. When the followers of John fasted, it was most likely done out of sincerity, as they followed the example of John, who did not come to the feast with anything to eat or drink (Mat.
4. 11:18).

A second reason for fasting at this time was because John was in jail and his life was in danger, as explained by John’s disciples (Mat.4:12).Having looked at the distinctions between these two groups, let us now turn our attention to the subject regarding fasting and prayer.

• As a first point, I’d want to emphasize that these guys would have had a difficult time determining whether the followers of Jesus were praying or fasting based merely on their external appearance.
• We can tell this from what Jesus instructs his followers in the Gospel of Matthew (Mat.
• 6:1-18).

• In these lines, Jesus instructs His disciples on the need of giving in secret, praying in private, and fasting in secret.
• The only way that they would be able to tell that His followers were not fasting would be if they observed them not putting anything into their mouths while they were fasting.
• Consider Jesus’ response to their query.
• He said, 9:15 a.m.
• Mat.

And Jesus responded to them by saying, ″Is it possible for the bridegroom’s friends to grieve while the groom is present?However, there will come a time when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and they will fast until that time comes.This response would have one meaning to the Pharisees, and a deeper meaning to John’s disciples, depending on who you ask.

Their query is answered by establishing a connection between something they are familiar with, a wedding feast, and the situation they are in.A typical wedding reception would run around seven days.During this time, the bridegroom’s friends stayed with him at his residence (Judges 14:10-11).

A wedding feast was a time of celebration and feasting for everyone involved.In accordance with Jewish tradition, even the Pharisees and other religious leaders would refrain from fasting during these seven days.Because Jesus was there with them, both of these groups would have realized that Jesus was teaching them that it would be pointless for His followers to fast while He was present with them.Based on John’s teaching in the Gospel of John, his students would have received an even deeper understanding from this (John 3:22-35).

• This section of the chapter emphasizes how much greater Jesus is than he is, and it also emphasizes that Jesus is the bridegroom.
• As a result, Jesus’ response should have served as a reminder of what John had taught them about Jesus.
• Following Jesus’ response to their question, He proceeds to prophesy about his death and how it will herald the beginning of His disciples’ fast because He will no longer be present with them in the future.
• Jesus had already made his point, but He went on to tell three different parables to illustrate it.
• Luke is the only one who refers to them as parables, and he includes all three of them as shown below.

1) Luke 5:36 (King James Version) Then He told them a parable, which goes as follows: ″There should be no placing of a piece from a new garment on an old one because otherwise the new would cause a rip, and the piece that was taken out of the new will not match the old.37 ″And no one should put new wine into old wineskins since the new wine will rupture the old wineskins and flow out, causing the old wineskins to be wrecked as a result.2) Number of digits: 38 ″However, new wine must be placed in new wineskins in order for both to be kept.3) 39 And no one craves new wine after drinking old wine, for he believes that ‘the old is good.’″ Consequently, the issue arises as to what Jesus is referring to in this passage and how it relates to what has already been spoken.As I indicated at the outset, we should not confine the meaning of Jesus’ parables to a single interpretation, and my research has led me to two alternative explanations for these parables.

First, let us have a look at the parables in their original form.When Jesus tells the story of the new fabric being sewn onto an old garment, he makes it clear that this will not work.It’s important to remember that the majority of their clothing was made of wool at the time, and that shrinking wool before sewing is an important part of the process of preparing wool ready to sew.As a result, if someone attempted to repair an old clothing with a new, unshrunk garment, the new fabric would tear away from the old garment when it became wet, enlarging the hole even further.

For those living in the first century, this was common knowledge.There is a fundamental lesson here: you cannot combine the new with the old.The theme of the following story, which is about pouring new wine into old wineskins, is similar.These wineskins were often obtained from a goat.It is common for a wineskin to get stretched out and brittle after being used, especially while fermenting wine or other liquids.The residual yeast in the wineskin will force the new wine to ferment more quickly than it should, resulting in a lower quality wine.

• When the new wine begins to release gases as a result of the fermentation process, the old wineskin will burst apart under the pressure, resulting in the loss of both wines.
• Once again, we can see that the argument is that the new and the old do not mix.
• Our last story discusses how a guy who is drinking old wine would not suddenly develop a yearning to drink fresh wine because he is content with what he currently has in hand.
• The message is straightforward in this case.
• When a person is content with where they are or with what they have, they are unlikely to be motivated to attempt something new or unusual.
• Let us now consider the two alternative interpretations that Jesus is attempting to convey via these parables.

• The first method is a straightforward technique.
• After being asked about the fasting that His followers are doing, Jesus answers by saying that they are unable to fast at this time since He is there with them.
• He uses the wedding feast to demonstrate to them that if they were the bridegroom’s friends at his wedding feast, they would not be fasting either.
• According to one interpretation, Jesus is just using these three parables to hammer home His point about how ridiculous it would be for His disciples to fast at this moment in time.
• For lack of a better expression, Jesus is implying that fasting for His disciples makes about as much sense as placing a new garment on top of an old one or pouring new wine into an old wineskin.
• In the third parable, Jesus is implying that my followers’ desire to fast at this time would be like to a person requesting fresh wine while he is content with his current supply of wine.

However, while this is a conceivable interpretation for all three parables, I feel that there is a much deeper significance to be discovered in each of them.The main drawback to this straightforward technique is that Jesus does not typically utilize parables in this manner.But most of them are used to describe the future kingdom that Jesus would build, or they are meant to convey a spiritual lesson, rather than just to be funny.Let’s take a second look at these tales from a different perspective today.In the previous section, we learned that Jesus uses the wedding feast to address the issue regarding fasting.However, Jesus prophesies about His death and declares that this is the time when His disciples will fast in the following passage.

In order to keep the conversation on the subject of fasting, He concludes with a statement that has His audience wondering about the future.In light of these considerations, I believe that these parables are referring to the future and the new covenant that Jesus will establish at His death.Essentially, the first two parables tell us that it is impossible to make the old and the new function in harmony with one another.Both the Pharisees and John’s disciples were still adhering to the old Law, which was gradually being phased out.

1. John was the last of the Old Testament prophets to come from the time of the old Law.
2. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were following their own set of man-made customs.
3. In telling them this, Jesus is letting them know that their teachings and the old Law will not be able to coexist with the teachings and new Law that He would create after His death.
4. Jesus did not come to repair the damage done by the old Law.
5. Instead, He came to lay the groundwork for a new order.
6. Moses foretold it in Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19, and Jeremiah foretold it in Jeremiah 31:31-34, among other places.

• In Matthew 26:28, Jesus makes it plain that He intends to create a new covenant with the people.
• Many additional texts demonstrate that Jesus was not simply patching up the old covenant, but rather was establishing a new and greater relationship with the people (Heb.
• 8:6-7,13, 9:15, 12:24).
• Jesus died on the cross in order to fulfill the Law (Matt.
• 5:17-18; Lk.

• 24:44), and in doing so, He nailed the old covenant on the cross (Col.
• 2:14).
• It is possible that Jesus was teaching this through these two parables because he was looking ahead to a time when His disciples would fast, as indicated by the context of the parables.
• I believe that the last parable is teaching that many people, including the Pharisees and John’s disciples, will not immediately desire the new teachings of Christ or the new convent that He would establish because they are content with the old Law and their man-made traditions, and that this will be the case in the future as well.

This was definitely the case with the Pharisees, who battled against Christianity from the very beginning.Furthermore, we are aware that some people remained content with John’s teaching for a long period of time until they heard and accepted the wonderful news of Jesus Christ (Acts 18:24-28, 19:1-5).When some of those who did desire the new wine or the new teachings of Christ began attempting to combine them with the old wineskin or with the old covenant or with man-made traditions, another problem arose during this time period (Acts 15:1; Gal.1:6-7).This is something that Peter and Paul warn us of (Gal.1:8-9; 2 Pet.

1. 2:18-22).
2. Finally, I hope you have found this research to be beneficial in some way.
3. My first explanation is reasonable; however, I prefer the second explanation.
4. In addition, I believe that we can learn something from these parables that is relevant to our current situation.
5. It follows from the principle of avoiding mixing the old and new that we must exercise caution when attempting to combine man-made traditions with the unchangeable Law of the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Because we have been transformed into new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we must do everything we can to avoid allowing our old sinful ways of living to infiltrate our new way of existence.

What Jesus (pbuh) said about Fasting

Imam Shabir Ally’s material may be found here.According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus ″failed to eat or drink for forty days and forty nights″ (Matthew 4:21).He did not eat anything during those days, according to the Gospel of Luke, and when they were over, he became hungry again after they were over (Luke 4:2).Since Jesus fasted, it is reasonable to expect that his sincere disciples will do the same if they truly follow his teachings.″If ye remain in my message, then ye are indeed my disciples,″ he said (John 8:31).″Why do the followers of John fast often and pray, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thy eat and drink?″ they questioned Jesus (Luke 5:33).

But Jesus said that his followers should not fast as long as he is with them, but that once he is carried away, ″they will fast in those days″ (Luke 5:35).In order to do this, Jesus also instructed them on how to fast for the glory of God (Matthew 6:16-18).Such instructions would be completely pointless if they were never required to fast.

They had ″fasted and prayed″ (Acts 13:3) and they had ″prayed with fasting″ (Acts 13:4), according to the Bible.The disciples were fasting after that, according to the Bible (Acts 14:23).Fasting is mentioned in the Bible as one of the observances of a minister of God (2 Corinthians 6:5), and ″fasting frequently″ is mentioned as a sign of a disciple of Jesus’ value.In the verses above, it is revealed that (a) fasting is defined as abstention from eating or drinking, and (b) that although the disciples were not to fast until after Jesus was taken away, Jesus himself remained to fast, else the complaint would have been directed against him as well.

It is undeniable that the Jewish Rabbis were fasting during this time (Matthew 9:14, and Mark 2:18).In addition, Jesus was referred to be a Rabbi (see John 1:38; 3:2; 6:25 and Matthew 23:8).As a result, he must have been fasting as well.

1. The disciples were unable to expel a demon from a youngster, but Jesus was able to expel it from the boy.
2. When the disciples inquired as to how he accomplished this feat, he said that only ″prayer and fasting″ would be effective in eliminating this type of evil (Mark 9:29).
3. That the disciples were unable to drive out the demon because they were not fasting, and that Jesus was able to drive it out because he was fasting, is demonstrated in this passage.
4. Some copyists attempted to modify the meaning of this stanza by omitting the words ″and fasting″ from it.

For example, the Revised Standard Version of the Bible reads as follows.However, this interpretation gives the verse an untenable connotation, namely, that Jesus’ followers were also not praying.Perhaps this is why the phrases ″and fasting″ have been reinstated in the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

• The phrases ″and fasting″ are also included in the New Testament derived from the Ancient Eastern Text (Mark 9:29).
• It was only when God revealed his final incorruptible word that we were freed from this state of uncertainty.
• In it, He instructed all capable believers to fast for a month every year.

• Today, sincere disciples of Jesus continue to fast in accordance with God’s unadulterated commands.
• Muhammad and all of God’s Messengers are sincere followers of Jesus Christ and all of God’s Messengers.

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What Jesus had to say about himself Until otherwise specified, all Bible references are to the King James Version unless otherwise noted. a link to the page’s load

What Did Jesus Say about Fasting? Mark 2:18-22 –

When it comes to fasting, what did Jesus have to say?In Mark’s account, the disciples of the Pharisees and those who followed John the Baptist fasted, however Jesus’ disciples did not observe the fast.Why?What exactly did Jesus have to say about fasting?For what reason did Jesus dine with sinners, ignore fasting, and ″disregard″ so many of the Jewish laws?Don’t be concerned; when the Pharisees approached Christ about His lack of fasting, He explains His reasoning in detail.

During this Bible study class from the book of Mark, we will hear what Jesus has to say regarding fasting when it comes to His followers.Is this anything that we should be concerned about?Yes, without a doubt!

When it comes to fasting, what did Jesus have to say?

What Did Jesus Say about Fasting? “Attendants of the Bridegroom Cannot Fast” Mark 2:18-22

″Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your followers do not fast?″ they inquired of Him when they noticed that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees were fasting.″Can’t the bridegroom’s attendants fast while the bridegroom is among them, can they?″ Jesus inquired.″Can’t they?″ Jesus said.They will not be able to fast as long as the bridegroom is present with them.″However, there will come a time when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and they will fast on that occasion.″ Anyone should avoid sewing a patch of unshrunk material onto an old clothing since the patch will pull away from the garment, the new from the old, and a larger tear will develop.There is no such thing as putting new wine into old wineskins since the wine will burst through them, and both the liquid and the skins will be lost; nonetheless, one does put new wine into new wineskins.″ – Mark 2:18-22 (New American Standard Bible)

What is Fasting?

In the Christian tradition, fasting is an outward expression of humility and grief for sin. Furthermore, fasting cultivates an inner discipline that helps to cleanse the mind while also keeping the spirit attentive. (NIV)

What is Religious Fasting?

While fasting helps to cleanse the body of the effects of food, repentance helps to cleanse the body of the consequences of sinful behavior.Fasting was observed by John and his followers in order to be prepared for the Lord’s return.Because this was a serious message, both John and his disciples fasted for forty days.Jesus, on the other hand, responded by saying that He (the bridegroom) was already present with his apostles (the bride).As a result, they had no justification for fasting at that time.When it comes to fasting, what did Jesus have to say?

A Reference to God’s Love

In the Bible, the term ″bridegroom″ is frequently used to allude to God.And, the affection He had for His people was comparable to the affection He felt for Israel as His ″bride.″ The love a person has for their spouse or children is one of the most powerful feelings a person may have in their life.God sees us as both His wife and His offspring, and he loves us for both.After learning how much Christ loves you, do you believe that God is deserving of your love as well?In Christ, there is only love.Bob If you would want to learn more about Jesus Christ’s love and life-changing experience, please take a moment to read John 3:16 for further information.

Somethings Come by Praying and Fasting

When Jesus was on earth, He spoke frequently about prayer and fasting, and it was a spiritual discipline that He followed on a regular basis. He addressed a number of things regarding fasting, but Matthew 6:16 is the one that strikes out the most for me. ″It states,″ the document reads.

Somethings Come by Praying and Fasting

″When you fast, do not look solemn like the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their features in order to demonstrate to others that they are fasting,″ Jesus said.″Truly, I assure you, they have earned their full and complete recompense.″ The practice of fasting is a significant spiritual discipline that Christians have followed since the time of Jesus’ birth on the earth.Jesus provided us with words of wisdom on fasting in order for us to perform it correctly.He wants us to fast with the correct mindset and not to use it as a means of demonstrating our ″righteousness″ to others around us.In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus instructed us not to make our fasting a public exhibition or to make ourselves look different from others by modifying our appearance in order to get attention.Instead, we should keep our fasting from the rest of the world; only God needs to know.

Somethings come as a result of prayer and fasting.As we proceed through this essay, we will consider some straightforward teachings on prayer and fasting that will assist us in better understanding how we should conduct ourselves.

How Did Jesus Fast During His Life?

Matthew 4:2 has one of the most important narratives in the Bible that depicts Jesus fasting.The Holy Spirit had led Him into the wilderness for forty days and nights, where He would be tempted by the devil and tested by God.This occurred before Jesus began His public ministry, as we learn from the accounts of Him preaching and appointing His followers immediately after.His temptations from the devil were successfully defeated throughout his fasting period.As a result of His own experience, we can see that when we fast, we can conquer everything the adversary throws at us.In Matthew 4:2, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:13, we see that Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in order to prepare for His mission.

During the period of fasting, he did not consume any food and prayed continuously.Taking this as an example, we can see that fasting may help us become more connected to God, and it should make a difference in our daily lives.

What Did Jesus Say About How We Should Fast?

Jesus instructed us to fast in privacy, especially while we are praying for others (Matthew 6:17).The purpose of fasting should not be to show off or be observed fasting by others, but rather to improve our health and well-being.Unless our closest friends and family members are also fasting, we should not even inform them that we are fasting.When Jesus fasted in the desert, He was completely alone, with the exception of His heavenly Father.This is identical to how Elijah fasted in 1 Kings 19:9-13 while fleeing from Queen Jezebel, which is recorded in the Bible.There are biblical accounts of a small group of people fasting together, but these were generally during a time of great difficulty.

When Peter and John took it upon themselves too quickly after being imprisoned, this was an illustration of this (Acts 12:3-4).Because everyone was aware that they were fasting in this circumstance, the community interceded on their behalf.

12 Things Things Only Come Through Fasting and Praying

A dad once brought his kid to Jesus in order for him to be healed.The disciples of Jesus were unable to drive out the evil spirit that was haunting the youngster and causing him to have seizures.When the disciples questioned Jesus about why they were unable to cast out the demon, Jesus responded by telling them that such demons could only be cast out through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:20-21).The disciples were also informed by Jesus that they were devoid of faith.In light of the narrative above, we may conclude that prayer and fasting would have assisted the disciples in developing the sort of faith necessary to cast out the evil spirit.Prayer and fasting assist us in strengthening our souls and increasing our faith so that we might see others liberated from the persecution of the devil.

It is sometimes necessary to pray and fast in order to witness the deliverance and breakthrough that we require from the Lord.Are you observing a fast today?Fasting is biblically mandated, but what does God want us to do when we are fasting is less clear.

Matthew 6:17-182 teaches that fasting should be done in privacy.Matthew 6:163 says that you should not tell anyone why you are fasting, not even those closest to you.Fasting will be accompanied by prayer – Matthew 6:5-84.The Bible says that fasting can help you increase your confidence in God (Matthew 4:2, Luke 2:375).

Fasting was a typical practice in the early church, according to Acts 13:2-3, 14:236.In Matthew 4:2, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:17, it is stated that Jesus fasted during His ministry and before His death on the cross.Fasting will assist you in overcoming temptation, according to Matthew 4:28.

1. Prior to going into the wilderness for 40 days and nights to be tempted by the devil, Jesus fasted (Matthew 4:1-119) to prepare himself.
2. According to Matthew 17:20-2110, only prayer and fasting may offer deliverance to someone who is being tortured by evil spirits.
3. Early Christians, including Jesus and the apostles, fasted often in order to have spiritual breakthroughs, such as when Saul (later known as Paul) was converted on the road to Damascus – Acts 9:911.
4. Fasting strengthens your faith, according to Matthew 17:14-2012.

Fasting is permissible according to the Bible (Isaiah 58:3-7; Daniel 9:1-313).What you do for the least of His brothers and sisters is what you do for Him, according to Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 25:31-4614.Fasting should be a spiritual decision rather than a legalistic demand or a religious obligation.

How do I Prepare for Fasting and Praying?

In order to complete your fasting and prayer properly, it is essential that you prepare beforehand.Distractions should be removed from your life so that you may focus on prayer and prepare your heart.Consider taking a peaceful getaway, or if that is not possible, stay away from the television and other sources of distraction.Prepare your body for fasting by eating lighter meals as the time for fasting approaches.Please inform the people who are closest to you (your family) that you will be taking some time to pray and fast so that they can give you the space you require.Prepare a diary in which you will record the revelations that God will give you.

Spend some time in the Word of God to prepare your heart for the fasting season that is coming up.Determine the number of days you will fast based on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.Fasting and prayer preparation should include the following steps:– spending time in prayer and fasting before you begin your fast;– making a list of who you will be praying for and the biblical reasons to fast and pray;– scheduling uninterrupted time each day during your fasting period to meet with God; Separation is essential because distractions will divert your focus away from the fundamental objective of fasting and prayer – pray for forgiveness and purification; the biblical reasons for fasting were repentance and righteousness (Daniel 9:3).

• On day one, stop eating after bedtime; on day two, break your fast at lunch or breakfast; on day three, resume your usual eating schedule during the afternoon of day one.

What is the Power of Prayer and Fasting?

Prayer and fasting are extremely effective practices, and we can see the results of our efforts when we put them into practice.The power of prayer and fasting is seen in Isaiah 58:6.Isn’t this the fast that I’ve chosen: to loosen the chains of evil, to unwind the heavy loads, to release the afflicted, and to see that you break every yoke that has been placed upon you?Prayer and fasting, according to the Scriptures quoted above, release us from the ties of evil, relieve us of heavy loads, free us from tyranny, and break the yokes that bind us to this world.Prayer and fasting liberate us from the deeds of the devil in our lives, allowing us to bask in the bounties of the Almighty.When we fast, we demonstrate our humility before God and our willingness to submit to His plan.

We don’t fast in order to manipulate God; rather, we fast in order to align ourselves with His desire for our life.In doing so, we make it possible for God to work miracles in our lives and to respond to our passionate pleas to him.

We also see the biblical basis for fasting in Daniel 9:3,

And so I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and supplication, as well as in fasting and the wearisome attire of sackcloth and ashes.This is a biblical requirement, not a recommendation that may be ignored.We see that prayer alone was not sufficient to bring about the intended result; Daniel trusted in God, and as a result, he turned to Him in the form of fasting.Because it has a biblical foundation, we should always pray and fast when we want to make a positive change in our lives, as we can see in the passage above (Isaiah 58:6; Daniel 9:3).It is scriptural to fast, and Jesus maintained its OT origins and purposes (Matthew 6:16-18), while also stating that He was doing something different (Mark 2:18-20; Matthew 9:14).As we can see in Luke 5, Jesus’ approach to fasting included spending time with God in addition to depriving himself of food.

The biblical purpose of fasting is for us to humble ourselves before God and fast from the things that we love so much that we will not turn to them when we need something from God—we must seek the Lord with all of our hearts and be sensitive to His leading in order to fulfill this biblical purpose.While fasting, Jesus was very clear about what we should do: ″Do not look gloomy like the hypocrites,″ he said (Matthew 6:16).He stated that it is permissible to anoint one’s head with oil while fasting.

He also advised us to donate the money we would have spent on food to the less fortunate (Matthew 6:18).Biblical fasting, on the other hand, must be done in private, not in public.We fast before God, and no one else will ever know about it until we tell them ourselves (Matthew 6:19-21).As part of his instructions for fasting, Jesus stated: ″When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face so that it will not be evident to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father who sees what is done in secret; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you″ (Matthew 6:17-18).

Fasting allows us to ask God to speak to us, to give us wisdom or knowledge about a particular situation, and to receive answers to our prayers.During our times of prayer and fasting, we can also address our concerns to the Lord.The last benefit of biblical fasting is that it helps us learn self-discipline since we don’t have access to food, therefore we have to keep our cravings and wants under control.

1. In the lives of godly men and women, such as Moses (Exodus 34:28), David (Psalm 35:13), and Daniel (Daniel 9:3), as well as Jesus’ fasts recorded in Matthew 4:2 and Mark 1:12, we can see biblical fasting in practice.
2. We may observe biblical fasting in action in today’s churches and ministries, such as Beth Moore’s ministry, which conducts a biblical fast in accordance with Isaiah 58:6–8, among other passages.
3. The biblical purpose of fasting is for us to humble ourselves before God and fast from the things that we love so much that we will not turn to them when we need something from God—we must seek the Lord with all of our hearts and be sensitive to His leading in order to fulfill this biblical purpose.
4. Fasting is documented in the lives of virtuous men and women throughout the Bible, including Moses (Exodus 34:28), David (Psalm 35:13), Daniel (Daniel 9:3), and Jesus’ fasts, which are recounted in Matthew 4:2 and Mark 1:12 respectively.

Fasting allows us to ask God to speak to us, to give us wisdom or knowledge about a particular situation, and to receive answers to our prayers.During our times of prayer and fasting, we can also address our concerns to the Lord.The last benefit of biblical fasting is that it helps us learn self-discipline since we don’t have access to food, therefore we have to keep our cravings and wants under control.

Great Lessons on Fasting and Prayer from the Bible and History

The following are three excellent teachings about fasting and prayer that we may learn from the Bible and history:

1.  Queen Esther and the Jews at the Citadel of Susa

With the help of prayer and fasting, Queen Esther spared the Jews in the Citadel of Susa from extermination, allowing her to gain favor with King Ahasuerus (Esther 4:15-16). He has the authority to overturn the order to execute the Jews. Esther saved the lives of the Jews by depriving herself of food so that she may witness God perform the miracles that spared their lives.

2.  The people of Nineveh repent

As soon as Jonah arrived in Nineveh with a message of repentance, the people accepted his word and declared a fast. It was only because they changed their ways and obeyed God that they were rescued from tragedy (Jonah 3:5-10).

3.  Aversion of the French invasion in Britain

In 1756, John Wesley wrote in his notebook that the approaching French invasion of the United Kingdom was prevented as a result of prayer and fasting. Britain had gotten the upper hand in the war and the French had been forced to retreat from half of the British land they had previously seized, which resulted in a great deal of celebration.

How Do You Teach Fasting?

Whenever you are teaching about fasting, it is critical to keep the emphasis on Jesus’ words and to help people understand the biblical justifications for fasting.Inform them that it is critical for them to pay attention to the Holy Spirit while fasting.Instruct them to have their Bibles and diaries ready so that they can record God’s responses to their questions.Encourage them to include fasting as a regular component of their prayer routine as well.Fasting allows us to ask God to speak to us, to give us insight or understanding about a particular issue, and to get answers to our prayers.During our times of prayer and fasting, we can also address our concerns to the Lord.

The last benefit of biblical fasting is that it helps us learn self-discipline since we don’t have access to food, therefore we have to keep our cravings and wants under control.There are biblical reasons for fasting, the first of which is for us to humble ourselves before God and fast from the things that we love so much that we will not turn to them when we want something from God—we must seek the Lord with all of our hearts and be sensitive to His leading in order to be successful in our spiritual lives.The practice of fasting aids in the development of self-discipline since we do not have access to food and hence must learn to manage our cravings and desires.

Fasting according to biblical guidelines also aids in our ability to hear God’s message more clearly, as Jesus stated to the disciples in Matthew 6:6 that if they fasted, ″your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.″ In his teachings, Jesus stated that when we fast and pray, our heavenly Father will respond to us (Matthew 7:7-11).When we engage in the biblical practices of fasting and prayer, we must maintain our attention on God.Then, as a result of biblical fasting, we may have more control over our bodies, which is a biblical principle.We must maintain self-control and refrain from allowing our stomachs to dictate our actions (1 Corinthians 9:27).

The Lord wants us to seek Him first and foremost via fasting, just as He instructed the disciples to seek the kingdom of God first and foremost by fasting, prayer, and righteousness—seeking Him through biblical actions will bring God’s answers to our questions (Matthew 6:33).

Final Thoughts – Somethings Come by Praying and Fasting

When we are going through a period of prayer and fasting, Jesus has given us the wisdom we require. We will learn how to fast successfully by studying the gospels and the lives of others who have fasted before us.

What the Scriptures Say About: Fasting

″What the Scriptures Say About: Fasting,″ according to the author.New Era, September 1972, page 32 It is unlikely that you will think of fasting as a time of celebration when your stomach begins to grumble midway through the fast and testimony meeting.However, the way fasting is characterized in the Scriptures is as follows: ″Indeed, this is fasting and prayer, or, to put it another way, gladness and prayer,″ says the prophet.(See also D&C 59:14.) The act of rejoicing is an expression of delight, and joy is the very purpose for man’s existence.(See 2 Ne 2:25.) Fasting, in this sense, is a practice that helps us return to the condition of being for which we were originally formed.There are a variety of factors that influence our capacity to rejoice on fast Sunday or any other day of the week that we choose to fast.

One of these is to achieve our goal of fasting.

Why Fast?

There are several justifications for fasting given in the scriptures.As a result of their inability to drive out a devil from a suffering man, Jesus revealed to his followers that there is a degree of spiritual power that can only be obtained via ″prayer and fasting.″ (See Matthew 17:14–21.) ″They had dedicated themselves to much prayer and fasting,″ the sons of Mosiah said, ″and as a result, they received the spirit of prophecy and revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority granted by God.″ (Alma 17:3, for example.) At the time of his conversion, Alma had received a fundamental witness of the truth of the gospel, and he testified that he afterwards ″fasted and prayed many days that he may know″ whether or not specific elements of gospel teaching were in fact correct.He was given a witness ″by the Holy Spirit of God,″ who also bestowed upon him ″the spirit of revelation″ in addition to other gifts.(See also Alma 5:44–47.) According to the Bible, fasting aids in the development of self-mastery and discipline, as seen by the phrases ″I humbled my spirit with fasting″ (Ps.35:13) and ″I…chastened my soul with fasting″ (Ps.

35:14).(Ps.69:10).

In his exhortation to his people to ″remain in fasting and prayer, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth you shall be saved,″ the prophet Amaleki made the connection between fasting and salvation.(See also Omni 1:26.) The Lord has ordered fasting in later-day revelation, and this is by far the most significant reason for doing so: ″Also, I deliver unto you a commandment that ye must persevere in prayer and fasting from this time forward″ (D&C 88:76.)

When to Fast

1. In the scriptures, fasting is most commonly associated with religious ceremonies (Moro.
2. 6:5; 3 Ne.
3. 27:1; 4 Ne.
4. 1:12), and it is in this context that many people follow the fast in modern times.
5. They fast on the day that is designated for all members of a certain ward or branch to fast, and they donate the money they would have spent on meals to the less fortunate.
6. On each Sabbath day, meals should be prepared simply and in a way that does not detract from the spirit of the event, and physical labor as well as many ordinary chores should be eschewed, according to tradition.

(See also D&C 59:13.) Whenever members of the Church are oppressed by unbelievers, they have the option of fasting and praying in order to alter the hearts of their abusers.When the older Alma and the priests ″fasted and prayed″ for Alma’s healing physically and spiritually over the course of two days and two nights in Mosiah, it was one of the most remarkable examples of this ever recorded.(See also Mosiah 27:22–23.) Later, when Alma was the church’s high priest, the Lord instructed the members to ″get themselves together on a regular basis and unite in fasting and powerful prayer on behalf of…those who did not know God.″ Alma was the first to receive this order.(See also Alma 6:6.) After fasting for three days and nights in order to be liberated from the harsh orders of the Persian ruler, the beautiful Queen Esther and her people were successful in their quest.

(See Esther 4:16.) In order to learn the truth, Cornelius fasted, and Peter was sent to him in order to give him the good news.(Read Acts 10:30–33 for more information.) Antioch’s religious and political leaders fasted in order to identify who should be called and set apart as missionaries.(See Acts 13:1–3 for further information.) Fasting is addressed in the context of battle and death, respectively.When the loyal Nephites were triumphant over their adversaries, they ″did fast and pray exceedingly, and they did praise God with exceeding great gladness,″ according to the scriptures.(See also Alma 45:1.) Many lives were lost in order to achieve victory, but fasting appears to have assisted in healing the wounds of the mourners and bringing about the restoration of peace: ″…

• it came to pass after they had buried their dead, as well as after the days of fasting, mourning, and prayer…
• there began to be continual peace throughout all the land.″ (See also Alma 30:2.) On another occasion, the Nephites ″did assemble themselves together to mourn and fast, at the grave of the great chief judge who had been murdered,″ according to the Book of Mormon.
• (Hebrews 9:10.) Since fasting is crucial for spiritual power, witness, self-mastery, and one’s overall spiritual well-being, it follows that fasting is also necessary for seeking forgiveness after having sinned.
• Following the apparition of the angel to Alma the Younger, he was compelled to fast for three days since he could not even open his lips.

It was at this time that his spirit was ″harrowed up to the highest degree and racked with allsins,″ according to the scriptures.While in the midst of his agony, he remembered his father’s words about Jesus Christ and his atonement, and this memory grew stronger and stronger until it completely eclipsed the memory of his sins: ″And oh, what joy, and what marvelous lightdid behold; yea, soul was filled with joy that far outweighed the agony!″ (See also Alma 36:10–20.) Paul had also gone without food for three days before to his miraculous conversion, which contributed to his conversion.(See Acts 9:9) Fasting, on the other hand, cannot be expected to achieve anything if it is carried out in opposition to the will of God.David fasted and prayed for the life of his sick kid, but the boy died after just seven days of illness due to David’s actions.

• The Bible says in 2 Samuel 12:15–23:

How to Fast

1. Fasting, Jesus explained, should be done ″without fanfare″ and not ″with a sad countenance″ in order to ″appear to men to fast…
2. To avoid being mistaken for someone else who is fasting, anoint thy head and wash thy face when you are fasting….″ ) (See also 3 Ne.
3. 13:16–18; Matthew 6:16–18; Luke 6:16–18.) In addition to abstaining from food and drink, Paul stated that fasting should also entail abstaining from other bodily pleasures.
4. (1 Corinthians 7:5) In the scriptures, there is no restriction on how long one must fast.
5. Moses is supposed to have fasted for ″forty days and forty nights,″ during which time he did not consume bread or drink water.
6. (See Exodus 34:28.) Jesus likewise ″failed to eat for forty days and forty nights, and he was hungry thereafter.″ (See Matthew 4:2.) The majority of other situations in which a certain time period is mentioned are restricted to roughly two or three days.

Fasting is prescribed in the scriptures on a regular basis.The majority of us would find it more effective to follow a regular fast of a few meals rather than attempting to fast for extended periods of time.

Summary

1. The prophet Isaiah captured the essence of the issue of fasting really well.
2. He began by emphasizing to his followers that some of their fasts were not appropriate since they were carried out for selfish and self-righteous purposes, rather than for religious reasons.
3. These same folks lamented that the Lord had disregarded them and that their fasts had gone unanswered by the Lord.
4. ″Behold, ye fast for dispute and discussion, and to smite with the fist of evil,″ the prophet stated on behalf of the Lord.
5. ″Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high,″ the prophet added.
6. Is the speed that I’ve picked really so fast?

Is there a day when a man should torture his soul?So, is it necessary for him to bowed his head like a bulrush and to lay sackcloth and ashes beneath him?″Do you want to call today a fast and a day that is acceptable to the Lord?″ (See Isaiah 58:4–5.) ″Isn’t this the fast that I’ve chosen?″ Isaiah inquired, before explaining the proper reasons for fasting and the potential benefits that may follow from it: ″Isn’t this the fast that I’ve chosen?″ ″Do you want to loosen the bonds of evil, unwind the heavy loads, and set the oppressed free, and do you want to break every yoke?″ Is it not your responsibility to distribute thy bread to the hungry and to welcome the needy who have been cast out into thy home?Is it not necessary that, when thou seest the nude, thou cover him and do not conceal yourself from thine own flesh?″ From such a fast come blessings such as enhanced health of the body and mind, answers to prayers, and direction in both temporal and spiritual matters, among others: It says, ″Then thy light shall burst forth as the dawn, and thy health shall spring forth as the blossoming of the day: and thy righteousness shall go before thee, and the glory of the Lord shall be thy recompense.″ Afterwards, thou shalt call, and the Lord will respond; thou shalt cry, and he will declare, ″Behold, I am here.″ When the yoke of oppression, the putting forth of the finger, and the speaking of vain are removed from the midst of thee; ″and when thou drawst out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfied the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thy darkness shall be as the noonday: ″And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and t (See Isa.58:6–11 for further information.) Indeed, this list of benefits extended to people who fast for the right reasons, at the appropriate time, and in the proper manner is cause for celebration.

9 Bible Verses on Fasting

• Bible Verses on Fasting – 9 Bible Verses on Fasting – By way of biblical examples, Scripture demonstrates the need of fasting, prayer, seeking, and longing for a closer relationship with God. Every Lent, I go a little more into the concept of fasting and prayer. Do you believe that fasting is still important today? How can fasting help me get closer to God? What exactly should I be fasting for?

1. The Bible has many examples of individuals who fasted, and it is really inspiring to consider them whether you are fasting for Lent or as a normal spiritual practice in your life.
2. It is by seeing the reasons they fasted and how God reacted to them that you may rekindle your enthusiasm for this practice and be inspired to use it to enhance your relationship with God.
3. Fasting is mentioned in both the New Testament and the Old Testament, demonstrating the importance of this spiritual discipline to those who practice it.
4. Fasting is defined in the Bible as a period of time during which individuals refrain from eating or drinking and instead spend their time praying, lamenting, and seeking God’s will.
5. Below, you’ll discover nine Bible texts on fasting, as well as explanations of the many reasons for their fasts, which will serve to inspire, motivate, and give you a greater sense of purpose in your own fasting.

Fasting in Scripture

1. Seeking God’s Direction

1. Moses was with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, during which time he did not eat or drink anything but water.
2. And he inscribed the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the tablets of stone.
3. – Exodus 34:28 is a biblical passage.
4. Moses fasted for forty days in the presence of the Lord, relying on God for direction, knowledge, and guidance while he wrote the Ten Commandments down.
5. This is considered to be one of the ″supernatural absolute″ fasts in the Bible, as Moses endured 40 days without eating or drinking during the period of the fast.
6. It is referred to as ″supernatural″ or ″miraculous″ since it is extremely perilous in normal circumstances, and he was only maintained miraculously by God during that time period.

God not only provided Moses with sustenance throughout his fast, but he also provided him with insight and direction.

2. Fasting For Humility

1. …I declared a fast in order for us to humble ourselves before our God and pray him for a safe voyage for us and our children, as well as for all of our belongings….
2. As a result, we fasted and petitioned our God about it, and he graciously granted our request.
3. -Ezra 8:21-23 (KJV) Fasting served as a technique of achieving humility in this setting.
4. While praying for protection, it served as a means of humbling oneself before the Lord and seeking His guidance.
5. They fasted modestly and prayed fervently, and God responded favorably.

3. Fasting for Freedom

1. …I declared a fast in order for us to humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, as well as for all of our belongings…….
2. As a result, we fasted and petitioned our God about it, and he responded favorably to our request!
3. The book of Ezra (8:21-23), for example Fasting was used to achieve humility in this setting.
4. While praying for protection, they used it as an opportunity to humble themselves before the Lord.
5. It was God who answered their prayers after they fasted humbly.

4. Return To God With Repentance

1. ″Return to me with all your heart,″ says the Lord, ″with fasting, tears, and sorrow.″ Joel 2:12 is a biblical passage.
2. Please come back to me.
3. What a striking statement coming from our omnipotent Creator.
4. Essentially, this was a call to repentance, urging the people to revert back to God’s kindness and unwavering love.
5. And fasting was one of the ways in which they demonstrated their really remorseful hearts.
6. Even in the Old Testament, God was not asking for only the act of fasting, but also for the sacrifice of animals.

Feasts were held as a method for people to demonstrate their desire to return to God with all of their hearts.

5. Fast For Intimacy With God, Not Praise From Man

1. The hypocrites disfigure their features to demonstrate that they are fasting, therefore when you fast, don’t look melancholy as they do.″ They have, I swear to you, got their full and complete recompense.
2. While fasting, apply oil to your head and wash your face, 1so that it is not visible to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees everything that is done in secret, will reward you.
3. -Matthew 6:16-18 (New International Version) As Christians, the intentions we have are important.
4. Our faith elevates us to a level previously unimaginable.
5. It is possible to appear to be doing everything correctly on the surface, but if the heart is not in it, it will not fulfill its purpose.
6. For instance, fasting is one of those things.

If you’re fasting in order to be perceived as a ″good Christian,″ you’re going about it incorrectly.If you’re fasting with a heart that can only think about what you don’t have (in this example, food), rather than a hunger that pushes you into the arms of your Savior to meet your needs, you’re doing it incorrectly.During the 40 days of Lent, refrain from fasting for the purpose of attention, recognition, or the sake of not-so-silent suffering.Fasting allows you to come closer to God and rely on Him on a deeper level than you have previously done.

6. Grow in Spiritual Strength

1. After forty days and forty nights of fasting, he was starved and famished.
2. Matthew 4:2 (KJV) Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights.
3. Forty days have passed.
4. It’s difficult for me to imagine what His body may