I know that sometimes people in my church are asked
to fast and pray but I don’t understand why. Does fasting
while praying somehow increase our prayer power?
to fast and pray but I don’t understand why. Does fasting
while praying somehow increase our prayer power?
The Crux of the Matter
Fasting does not increase our prayer power but it does put more power in our prayer. For an in-depth overview of fasting, please continue reading!
FASTING - GOD’S WAY!
Biblical definition: Fasting is the voluntary abstinence from food, liquids, or other things that give us pleasure (for example - television, specific kinds of food or liquids) for spiritual or religious purposes.
Fasting is one way that God’s people can humble themselves before Him. God requires that we humble ourselves and puts the responsibility to do this on us. James 4:10 states “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” We are obedient to God when we fast.
Leviticus 16: 29 - 31 equates fasting with “afflicting the soul” (KJV) or with “denying oneself” (NIV). In Psalm 35:13 fasting is also equated with “humbling oneself.” It is one of the ways that God ordained allowing us to turn to Him with all of our heart (Joel 1:14). Through these verses we learn that fasting is one form of self-denial; it is the temporary denial of our physical appetite for food. Jesus said that self-denial is the great link to becoming a victorious Christian (Mark 8:34). Consequently, fasting, as one expression of it, is a powerful instrument. If you want to read more go to Next Page
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Fasting does not increase our prayer power but it does put more power in our prayer. For an in-depth overview of fasting, please continue reading!
FASTING - GOD’S WAY!
Biblical definition: Fasting is the voluntary abstinence from food, liquids, or other things that give us pleasure (for example - television, specific kinds of food or liquids) for spiritual or religious purposes.
Fasting is one way that God’s people can humble themselves before Him. God requires that we humble ourselves and puts the responsibility to do this on us. James 4:10 states “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” We are obedient to God when we fast.
Leviticus 16: 29 - 31 equates fasting with “afflicting the soul” (KJV) or with “denying oneself” (NIV). In Psalm 35:13 fasting is also equated with “humbling oneself.” It is one of the ways that God ordained allowing us to turn to Him with all of our heart (Joel 1:14). Through these verses we learn that fasting is one form of self-denial; it is the temporary denial of our physical appetite for food. Jesus said that self-denial is the great link to becoming a victorious Christian (Mark 8:34). Consequently, fasting, as one expression of it, is a powerful instrument. If you want to read more go to Next Page
View Other Answers | Submit a Question | Leave Feedback About this Question
