Fasting & Prayer (Corporate)
When Ezra read the Book of the Law and the people of Israel realized that they had sinned against God, the people and their leaders fasted and prayed that God would forgive their sins. In the Bible we often read of prayer without fasting, but we never read of fasting without prayer. Fasting can be an expression of grief (2 Samuel 3:35). It can be an expression of sincerity in seeking God’s help (2 Chronicles 20: 3-4). It can be an expression of devotion to God (Luke 2:36-37). But most commonly, fasting is an expression of repentance and is accompanied by prayers of confession (1 Samuel 7:5-6; Jonah 3:5-9; Nehemiah 9:1-6).
Fasting is not a tool for manipulating God (Isaiah 58:3-5). Fasting is not for selfish gain (Zechariah 7:4-5). Fasting is not for the purpose of impressing others (Matthew 6:16-18).
Should Christians fast? The answer is yes. In the midst of grief as we share our pain and sorrow with God; as an expression of our sincerity when we are seeking God’s help; as an act of devotion to God in worship; and when accompanied by sincere prayers of repentance for our sins.
Christians in America face a great challenge: Will we continue to drift with the culture, or will we turn from our sins and ask God to heal our nation. When the people of God corporately turn to him in fasting and prayer, God always extends mercy (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Prayer/Challenge
In the busyness of life, fasting often serves the purpose of giving us time to pray. Would you be willing to give up a meal, and invest the time that you normally spend eating, seeking God’s face in repentance, request, and worship?
