A fast, as defined, is a period of voluntarily refraining from eating, and sometimes drinking, for a set amount of time, often for health, religious, or cultural reasons.
People fast for diet reasons. People fast for health reasons, and people fast for drawing near to God.
There are many examples of fasting in Scripture. These people were seeking the Lord and His guidance.
The following is a review on people who fasted in Scripture in order to seek God and His guidance.
Moses fasted before receiving the 10 commandments. “And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water.” Exodus 34:28a
David fasted. “David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.” 2 Samuel 12:16
Daniel fasted. “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.” Daniel 9:3
Before Esther was to go before the King, she feared and she fasted, along with her people. “Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer. Go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I also and my maidens will fast likewise…” Esther 15-16a
Jehoshaphat called a national fast. “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.: 2 Chronicles 20:3
Ezra called on the nation to fast. “Then I proclaimed a fast there at the rive of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and our little ones, and for all our substance.” Ezra 8:21
Joel called a fast. “Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assemble…cry unto the Lord.” Joel 1:14
Jesus fasted. “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days, He did not eat nothing; and when they were ended, He afterward hungered.” Luke 4:1-2
Paul fasted. “And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.” Acts 9:9
These examples don’t stop here. Many people throughout history have fasted as they have sought God and His direction, and God has provided many rewarding experiences. As it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Our nation is separated. We need unity with God. Our government needs God in it. Our schools need God in it. Our homes and families need God in it. Is it time to fast and pray?
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