"Moreover, when you fast, DO NOT be like the hypocrites, with a sad countrnance(faces). For they disfigure their faces so that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast anoint your head with oil, and wash your face, so that you DO NOT appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place(heaven), and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
Fasting and praying is to be seen by God only and is between you and God only. God has pointed out to us spiritual principles for fasting, and throughout the scriptures you will find many reasons why people fasted and prayed, and found it important to fast for many spiritual reasons.And, there are many people who fast for their own personal reasons that are not spiritual.
Spiritual fasting must also include prayer, but God does not require or command believers to fast however, if and when believers do fast, it must include prayer for spiritaul gains.
Jesus fasted and prayed, and told His disciples to fast and pray, and the Apostles/disciples fasted and prayed in the Book of Acts, the Phararisees fasted in the gospels, and the only fast required of the Jews was that of the Day of Atonement, in the Old Testament.
God also tell us of a proper way and reason to fast if we are to fast to receve the blessings and rewards of our fasting and praying.
Two Questions:
(1) What do you think about spiritual fasting and praying?
(2) Do you take time to spiritually fast and pray for any spiritual reason, cause, or purpose?
Fasting is a deeply personal time between you and God. It should not be TV time or play time with the kids, or anything that would take your attention off God. To me, this is my time to focus 100% on God and His will in my life.
I use this time to take communion every day and spend hours in prayer and meditation. I find the best thing is to go camping by myself, that way there is nothing taking God's time from Him. And I get to see the beauty of God's creation.
I always get something out of it, even if it is only the answer to a question I am struggling with.
As we all have stated fasting is personal between the person and God. It is a tool for self-discipline but it must include time in sincere prayer before God in repentance and placing your prayer request to Him.
There are several biblcal reasons for fasting, even Jesus told the disciples, that the reason why they could not cast the demons out of a young man , is becaue it took fasting and prayer for spiritual strenghth and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Christians should fast and pray when they are facing a crisis in our nation, we should fast for personal needs or family deliverance, during time of distress, for healing and deliverance for ourselves and for others, and when facing a spiritual decision and you don't know what or how, or why or where.
Many heavy burdens are lifted when a person takes time to fast and pray for even one day. Wisdom is gained when a person fast and prayer before God. Revival comes into our hearts when we fast and pray, God give His protection from many dnagers storms and snares when we fast and pray, blessings are given and received when we fast and pray.
In Isaiah chapter 58, God has outlined and described the proper things to fast for, that all believers should include in their fasting and prayers. This is the proper fast God calls for believer to do. Fasting and praying for the homeless, and the sick, and the poor and needy. the emotionally weak and broken, those who are in prison, for those who do not know Jesus Christ, and for those who are depressed and in sorrows.. He also tells us that the reason why we are not receiving His blessings, because we are fasting and praying for the wrong things.
