But, when the history of the entire bible is viewed through the pages of scripture, fasting is a key spiritual weapon for the salvation of nations and souls. Anytime we give something up, temporarily, to focus exclusively on god and knowing him and knowing his will, can be considered fasting 1 corinthians 7. Christian fasting focus deeper on god christian fasting isnt some kind of a work thats commanded by christ or required by scripture. Now there are all kinds of public fasting in the bible, including the. If youre interested in fasting and would like to learn some things from a man who fasts often, then you should read this book. I have fasted and prayed many days that i might know these things of myself. Eats with tax collectors and sinners, and discourses on fasting capernaum matthew 9. As with prayer and almsgiving, the messiahs solution is not to forbid fasting altogether, but to make sure that it is done in secret so that his disciples will receive a lasting reward matt.
Beginning in genesis and moving all the way through revelation, david platt shows us that god has designed prayer and fasting not only to meet our daily needs but more importantly so. A friend recently dispelled any concerns i had about the importance of this topic when he sent me a link to a popular website promoting fasting. Fasting as practiced and taught in the book of acts. If you crave to see healing, deliverances, signs and wonders, this book will open your eyes to gods power hidden in the secret place of prayer and fasting. Power with god through fasting christian life center. Current and historical books about fasting and intermittent fasting, also called periodic fasting. For a collection of other versions see biblehub matthew 6. There are many spiritual benefits to fasting and many ways to do so. In the sermon on the mount, jesus exhorts us to fast in secret, not for show, with the promise that your father who sees in secret will reward you matthew 6. Fasting in the book of mormon and the bible religious studies. Under the law there had been but the one great fast of the day of atonement, on which men were to afflict their souls leviticus 23. Both the bible and the book of mormon record instances of fasting as a sign of. Bible verses about fasting is not this the kind of fasting i have chosen.
Through fasting we can come to know the truth of things just as did the prophet alma in the book of mormon. Jesus is not teaching on whether we should fast or not. Learn the secret of obtaining gods reward through private fasting. Scripture tells us that fasting will help us grow a more intimate relationship. This book will help explain fasting using accurate biblical examples. This was the most common in the scripture so ill just list a few fasting and prayer scriptures to help you see the pattern. Its also been used in most religions in the world for mental and spiritual clarity, but fasting has been used to help with chronic conditions including allergies, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol under doctors recommendation and supervision. However, that doesnt mean that fasting isnt recommended as a part of our spiritual growth.
Best fasting and intermittent fasting books 22 books. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your father who is in secret. Fasting gives us a picture of our ultimate dependence upon god. Fasting births great faith, anointing and boldness in matt. Half of christian fasting is that our physical appetite is lost because our homesickness for god is so intense.
And your father who sees in secret will reward you openly god promises rewards to those who fast in secret. Anyone who seeks to go deeper in their relationship with god should read this book. Fasting in the book of mormon and the bible religious. Fasting had risen under the teaching of the pharisees into a new prominence. In the bible, the prophet daniel fasted for 21 days, eating only fruits and vegetables and drinking only water.
The first instance of fasting we see in scripture is king david in ii samuel 12. In secret church 19, well see that all of scripture invites us to pursue god, and well see how crucial the role of prayer and fasting is in this pursuit. If youre considering a fast, check with your doctor before beginning to make sure its medically safe for you to do so. Fasting has been used for thousands of years and is one of the oldest therapies in medicine. What guidelines are set forth in scripture concerning fasting.
Secrets to fasting and prayer, read more about spiritual life growth, christian living, and faith. Fasting in the book of mormon and the bible stephen d. Spiritual diets have nothing to do with losing any weight except the weight on your soul. When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the lord their god for a fourth of the day. Fasting that breaks barriers holy spirit outpouring. Joseph oconnor is impressed by sebastian barrys lyrical and energetic novel of troubled irish memories, the secret scripture. A selfappointed fasting guru gladly tells readers how. Before we look at jesus teaching on fasting in todays passage, we need to provide a few closing comments on the lords prayer, the prayer he has given to his. He outlines 10 keys to a successful fast he even talks about what makes a fast successful, and his wisdom comes from the bible. That christian fasting is rewarding is plain, in the words of christ himself, in a very prominent place. In scripture, fasting is almost always done by abstaining from food. In these books, the focus is primarily on fasting for scientific, health or weightloss purposes. I plan to incorporate fasting in to my weekly life as i seek the lord with all my heart, mind, body and soul.
Other fasts were occasional, in times of distress or penitence, as. And your father who sees in secret will reward you. A complete fast could last from part of a day to an entire day to several days or weeks. Top 8 bible verses about fasting what christians want to. When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites edwards point is that fasting is treated as something the followers of jesus will do just like prayer and almsgiving. Have you ever looked at what the bible says about fasting in secret.
Truly i tell you, they have received their reward in full. The new oxford annotated bible with the apocryphaldeuterocanonical books. Berean study bible so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your father, who is unseen. Fasting in scripture the following charts have been presented before in similar form, though minor changes have been made here. Winner of the 2008 costa book of the year winner of the james tait black memorial prize 2008. In the king james version of the bible the text reads. As i said before, fasting is now a part of my life. After his unusual experience saul was left blinded. This fast preceded the national day of prayer on 7 july 1996. And your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. There was a 40 fast again during 1996, this time for the healing of our country. The power of fasting was no longer a theory for me. This fast was marked by deep personal confession of sin, where god dealt.
The romance and the resistance of fasting christian fasting, at its root, is the hunger of a homesickness for god. Fasting when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. As jesus said, this kind or this kind of faith only comes by prayer and fasting. Lord, the great and awesome god, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Truly i say to you, they have their reward in full. Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. We also recommend the bbc documentary titled eat, fast and live longer for a more thorough understanding of the healthful benefits of fasting. If we take this text to teach that secret prayer and almsgiving are duties, then fasting is. It is to be done in a manner of humility and secrecy.
1393 233 905 1409 842 731 1295 741 678 111 900 579 227 1253 619 312 1058 373 302 963 1020 429 697 1333 21 193 1187 988 1261 643 257 143 583 1452 404 1486 919 278 796 842 1477 1268 836 1313 1447