By Jims Vincent T. Capuno
PRAYER and fasting are often found together in the Holy Bible. Usually prayer and fasting were connected with some great need in the life of the nation of Israel or in the life of an individual.
Fasting in the Christian context is simply abstaining from food for spiritual reasons. At times, it means abstinence from drinking liquids as well – a total fast for a brief period. The Old Testament contains command related to fasting:
• Mosaic Law prescribed fasting on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26). The word fasting is not actually used, but commentators say this is what the Scripture means when it speaks of affliction of one’s soul. St. Luke referred to this: “Sail ing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast” (Acts 27:9b, NIV). The “fast” is the one referred to in Leviticus.
• Prophets and other spiritual leaders periodically encour aged fasting. A classic example is Joel who, in a time of crisis in his country, said: “’Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning’” (Joel 2:13). The nation had drifted from God, and Joel saw God’s judgment impending. But he encouraged the people, “Declare a holy fast” Joel 2:15b).
• Fasting and prayer were important factors in shaping Israel’s history. Some outstanding occasions that turned the course of history were times of fasting and prayer. For example, through fasting and prayer Israel gained a tremendous victory over the Philistines after 20 years of oppres sion. “Then Samuel said, ‘Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the Lord for you.’
When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day, they fasted and there they confessed, ‘We have sinned against the Lord’” (I Samuel 7:5-6a). Out of fasting and prayer came tremen dous victory over the Philistines, punctuated by divine occurrences.
• Judah won a remarkable victory without ever fighting a battle. Jehoshaphat was king, and a coalition of Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites assembled a great army. “Alarmed, Jeho shaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (II Chronicles 20:3).
If you read the book, you will be impressed how they respond in crisis. We’re wondering if we have the spiritual intelligence today to afflict our souls as they did – to proclaim a fast. Out of this experience, Israel marched into battle against the coalition. The three enemy armies began to fight among them selves until they had annihilated each other. Judah was saved from an apparently hopeless situation as they turned to God in fasting.
• Fasting and repentance led to being spared God’s judgment. At Ninevah, after the preaching of Jonah, the king decreed: “Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink… Let everyone call urgently on God” (Jonah 3:7b). This is a total fast.
Verse 10 adds, “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened.” An entire city was spared through fasting and prayer!
• Fasting was part of seeking God’s special care. When Ezra was ready to return from Persia to Judah, he had with him gold and silver would amount to millions of dollars. But the perilous journey – about 1,000 miles over robber-infested roads – would be made without Persian protection, to show that God could take care of them. In preparation, Ezra “proclaimed a fast so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him to a safe journey” (Ezra 8:21b). Ezra fasted and then went out on a limb for God’s glory.
In the New Testament, Jesus inaugurated His own ministry with fasting (matthew 4:2). He taught His followers at least twice to fast. In Matthew 6, He instructed that when they fasted, they should not do it ostentatiously. He spoke of His disciples not fasting so long as the Bridegroom (Jesus Him self) was with them (matthew 9:15-15).
Every mention of fasting among the apostles is related to Paul. He fasted after his conversion experience on the Damascus Road, three days and three nights – a total fast (Acts 9:9). Paul also tells us that he was in fastings often (II Corinthians 6:5; 11:27).
• Elders in the early churches were ordained after prayer and fasting (Acts 14:23).
• At the church in Antioch, “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted” (Acts 13:2, KJV), God’s Spirit directed them to set apart Saul and Barnabas “for the work whereunto I have called them.”
Below are some more biblical occasions and purposes for fasting and prayer:
1. Fasting was an expression of affliction and sorrow. After Israel under Saul experienced humiliating defeat at Gilboa, the people fasted seven days (I Samuel 31:13). When David heard of this defeat, he and those with him mourned and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan (II Samuel 1:12).
2. Fasting was engaged in as a response to danger. Consider Jehoshaphat, Ezra and the city of Ninevah as mentioned earlier.
3. Fasting was seen as a way to secure God’s promised blessing. When Daniel understood that Jerusalem’s desolation would last 70 years, “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes” (Daniel 9:3). He prayed that God’s promised blessing would be secured, and ultimately that the people of God would return to the land.
4. Fasting is evidence of repentance. Even a wicked king like Ahab temporarily turned from his wicked ways, and he fasted as evidence of repentance (I Kings 21:27). The Scripture says God averted the judgment on him.
5. Fasting intensifies prayer efforts. “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer” (Ezra 8:23).
6. Fasting enhances personal holiness. God uses fasting to deepen Christians spiritually: “When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me… But I pray to you, O Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation” (Psalm 69:11,13).
7. Fasting may change the mind of God. When the people of Ninevah afflicted themselves and fasted, judgment was averted.
8. Fasting can bring release to people in spiritual bondage. Read again the first Bible verse mentioned in this article, Isaiah 58:6. This is fasting and praying in behalf of others. The passage assures us that out of the kind of fast God has chosen, He will set the oppressed free.
9. Fasting brings increased spiritual understanding. That was Daniel’s experience: “He instructed me and said to me, ‘Daniel , I have now come to give you insight and understanding’” (Daniel 9:22).
10. Fasting can assist one in gaining control over physical appetites. Paul says that he controls his bodily desires, they do not control him (I Corinthians 9). Fasting, therefore, assists in buffeting one’s body.
The motive for fasting is most important. Fasting, the brochure said, is the focus of your total attention to God, not just a means to get answers to your prayer. It is not for losing weight, but it is to be pleasing, obedient and yielding to God.
