Fasting; should Christian people fast today?
For faith, and power with God.
Matthew 17:21 KJV “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
As workers of God
II Corinthians 6:1-5 (The Apostle Paul-Fasted)
[1] We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
[2] (For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
[3] Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
[4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;”
II Corinthians 11:27 KJV (The Apostle Paul) “ In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”
Many today question the legitimacy of fasting, but don't ask the Early Church.
Acts 13:1-3 KJV
[1] Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers;...
[2] As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
[3] And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 14:21-23 KJV
[21] And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
[22] Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
[23] And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
The Disciples and the Early Church, believed in and practiced, Fasting.
Well, what good if any does going without food do?
Answer: Depends why one goes without the food.
By itself, it has no merit.
But if one fasts, with the idea of it, Humbling himself before God, all of a sudden fasting takes on Much Merit!
But if one fasts, with the idea of it, as a sacrifice, to God, all of a sudden fasting takes on Much Merit!
Do you think, that when we in earnest prayer to God, beseeching Him to do for us, that it would only be right of us to show how we as His people are willing to Humble ourselves, and to sacrifice for Him as well?
Fasting and Prayer, the call to the People of God.
Joel 1:14 KJV
“Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,”
Joel 2:12,13 KJV
[12] Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:...
[13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God:
Matthew 6:17,18 KJV (Jesus Christ)
[17] But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
[18] That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Psalm 35:13,14 KJV
[13] But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
[14] I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
