Why Is Prayer Important for Fasting ? 5 Fasting Prayers to Help Your Fast
Prayer is great and fasting is fantastic , but the discipline of using them together can help us make life in a sinful world more bearable by connecting us to God and drawing on His power instead of our own .
What is Fasting ? Fasting is Biblical . Throughout the Old and New Testament eras and during the last 2,000 years , fasting has been a primary means of humbling ourselves before God . Fasting is a common practice that can be found in Scripture . It is voluntary and total abstinence of food for a specific amount of time or days , and its aim is to devote oneself through prayer and seeking God . Jesus ’ fasting can be read in one major occasion in Matthew 4:1 – 11 . The ancient practice of fasting is a natural way to express your faith with your whole being – body and spirit together – whenever you experience a sacred moment that compels you to respond . Your spirit ' s hunger for God can find fulfillment when you fast with your body . Fasting is a way for us to reconnect and be with the Lord . So , below are a few reasons why prayer comes highly recommended with fasting — as it should be :
1 . Fasting and Prayer are Mentioned Together in Scripture Both the Old and New Testaments feature multiple instances of believers practicing fasting and prayer together . Here are a handful of the examples I found : The Israelites fasted and lifted up prayers of praise and confession after sinning against God ( Nehemiah 9 ). Esther fasts with Israel and prays for the strength to ask her husband to spare Israel from Haman ’ s plot of genocide ( Esther 4:16 ). David mentions praying and fasting for his enemies ( Psalm 35:12-14 ). Daniel fasts and prays to lament Israel ’ s disobedience while exiled in Babylon and asks God to have mercy on His chosen people ( Daniel 9 ). The prophet Anna fasted and prayed regularly for Israel , then prophesied to Mary and Joseph about Jesus ( Luke 2:36-38 ). Paul and Barnabas pray and fast to ask for guidance in appointing elders over the first-century church ( Acts 14:23 ).
2 . Fasting Prayers Serve Multiple Purposes We live in a fallen world , so we need a lot of help , sometimes even just to make it through the day . God offers us that help by asking us to pray and fast . The verses I mentioned above showcase the variety of what prayer and fasting make possible for Christians : 1 . Praising God ( Nehemiah 9 ); Granting courage ( Esther 4:16 ) 2 . Loving your enemies ( Psalm 35:12-14 ); Reconciling yourself or your country to God ( Daniel 9 ; Nehemiah 9 ) 3 . Remembering God ’ s promises ( Luke 2:36-38 ); Granting wisdom ( Acts 14:23 ) Prayer is great and fasting is fantastic , but the discipline of using them together can help us make life in a sinful world more bearable by connecting us to God and drawing on His power instead of our own .
3 . Prayer and Fasting Actually Works
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