A Guide to Prayer and Fasting
An ancient practice can bring us closer to Jesus
As we approach Holy Week and specifically our annual day of prayer and fasting, it is important for us to turn to the Bible to guide the way.
In Matthew 9:14, we see disciples of John the Baptist approach Jesus with a question, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
John’s disciples and even the Pharisees sometimes fasted more than once a week. The Old Testament law only required one fast a year, which was on the Day of Atonement described in Leviticus 16:19-20. They thought that doing more than the Law required would make them holy and bring them closer to God.
Jesus responded by telling them that as long he was with them, there was no need to fast. Instead it was a time to walk with him, to celebrate his presence, to learn from him first hand. But there would come a day that he would leave them, and then they would be right to fast.
Fasting is a biblical practice of denying ourselves so that we can focus more on Jesus and draw closer to him.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and the early church was launched. Then in Acts 13:4 we see followers of Jesus fasting and praying as part of their way of life. As a result, they heard the Spirit give them specific direction for a new ministry.
Fasting allows us to more clearly hear the voice of God.
How do we fast? There is some liberty in this, but typically we follow the pattern in Leviticus 16 and fast from all food from one evening to the following evening. This means eating dinner on Wednesday, then only drinking water until breaking the fast at dinner on Thursday. Use your normal meal times on Thursday to pray. It’s also important to remember what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:16-18, that when we fast we do not draw attention to ourselves. Our goal is to simply draw closer to Jesus, not to have others think we are holy.
Let’s journey together this week and choose to give up one thing so that we may gain something even greater!
In Matthew 9:14, we see disciples of John the Baptist approach Jesus with a question, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
John’s disciples and even the Pharisees sometimes fasted more than once a week. The Old Testament law only required one fast a year, which was on the Day of Atonement described in Leviticus 16:19-20. They thought that doing more than the Law required would make them holy and bring them closer to God.
Jesus responded by telling them that as long he was with them, there was no need to fast. Instead it was a time to walk with him, to celebrate his presence, to learn from him first hand. But there would come a day that he would leave them, and then they would be right to fast.
Fasting is a biblical practice of denying ourselves so that we can focus more on Jesus and draw closer to him.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and the early church was launched. Then in Acts 13:4 we see followers of Jesus fasting and praying as part of their way of life. As a result, they heard the Spirit give them specific direction for a new ministry.
Fasting allows us to more clearly hear the voice of God.
How do we fast? There is some liberty in this, but typically we follow the pattern in Leviticus 16 and fast from all food from one evening to the following evening. This means eating dinner on Wednesday, then only drinking water until breaking the fast at dinner on Thursday. Use your normal meal times on Thursday to pray. It’s also important to remember what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:16-18, that when we fast we do not draw attention to ourselves. Our goal is to simply draw closer to Jesus, not to have others think we are holy.
Let’s journey together this week and choose to give up one thing so that we may gain something even greater!
Note: the sanctuary will be open for prayer on Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. and all day Thursday from 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.