Prayer & Fasting

If you would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from heaven. For who He giveth us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready succor those that fight manfully, and do trust in His grace.
— Thomas à Kempis

Pray Always

Paul tells us to pray “at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18). We must develop a lifestyle of prayer. Even when we aren’t praying out loud, we can still be in a state of union and intimacy with the Lord.

Be Watchful

Paul goes on to say that we need to be watchful. This means that we must be aware of what is going on around us spiritually. God calls us to be watchmen and watchwomen who will guard against the devil. In the Bible, a watchman would stay awake at night to make sure that the enemy didn’t attack while everyone was sleeping. It is our responsibility to be watchful in prayer.

Have Perseverance

Our prayers should be made with all perseverance. God doesn’t like weak, powerless prayers; rather he desires for us to persevere in prayer. James tells us, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power” (James 5:16). We need to be fervent and energetic in our prayer life. Don’t give up until your prayer is answered!

Pray in the Spirit

The only way that our prayers will ever have power is if they are in the Spirit. The Spirit intercedes for us and reveals the will of God to us (Rom. 8:26). The Holy Spirit gives fire to the incense of our prayer. Jude says that we should build ourselves in the most holy faith by praying in the Spirit (Jude 1:20). The Spirit will build us up, guide us in truth, and give us the strength to pray as we should.

Pray Like Jesus

When the apostles said to Jesus, “Lord teach us how to pray,” it was because they knew he was a man of profound devotion and prayer. The gospels tell us that Jesus prayed at every major event in his life: his baptism (Luke 3:21); the choice of apostles (6:12-12); his transfiguration (9:29); before the cross at Gethsemane (22:39-40); and on the cross (23:46). The Bible tells us that he continues in prayer for us. Hebrews 7:25 says, “He always lives to make intercession for them.” He sets the example for us to follow:

• “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone” (Matthew 14:23).
• “And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place” (Luke 4:42).
• “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16).
• “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12).
• “He took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray” (Luke 9:28).
• “He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35).
• “He went up on the mountain to pray” (Mark 6:46).

“Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it.” John Wesley

We live in a culture of fast food, instant gratification, and self-centeredness. One of the best ways to get our eyes off of ourselves and back onto the Lord is through fasting. However, fasting has practically been disregarded and forgotten in the comforts of the modern church. Fasting didn’t end in biblical times; there have actually been proclaimed fasts in America.

Fasting is nothing new in American history. The pilgrims held three formal periods of fasting before leaving for the New World. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress proclaimed July 20, 1775 as a national day of fasting and prayer in preparation for the war on independence.

What Is Fasting?

What does it really mean to fast? According to the Oxford Dictionary, fasting means to “abstain from food, especially to eat sparingly or not at all, or abstain from certain foods in observance of a religious duty or a token of grief.” Fasting and religious purposes cannot be separated because they are intricately intertwined. The Bible gives us numerous references to individual and corporate fasts. There were even days that were designated each year for fasting and prayer.

Fasting is a gift that God has given to the church in order to help us persevere in prayer. Fasting draws us closer to God and gives power to our prayers, so we will discuss the reasons to fast, different types of fasting, and how to fast.

Reasons for Fasting

People have been fasting since the ancient days of the Bible. The Bible records numerous accounts where people, cities, and nations have turned to God by fasting and praying: Hannah grieved over infertility and “wept and would not eat” (1 Samuel 1:7); and Anna, an elderly widow and prophetess, worshiped at the temple with “fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37).

Most people fast for religious and spiritual reasons, while others choose to fast for health reasons. There are several specific reasons that the Bible tells us to fast.

1. To be Christ like (Matthew 4:1-17; Luke 4:1-13).
2. To obtain spiritual purity (Isaiah 58:5-7).
3. To repent from sins (See Jonah 3:8; Nehemiah 1:4, 9:1-3; 1 Samuel 14:24).
4. To influence God (2 Samuel 12:16-23).
5. To morn for the dead (1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12).
6. To request God’s help in times of crisis and calamity (Ezra 8:21-23; Nehemiah 1:4-11).
7. To strengthen prayer (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:17-29; Acts 10:30; 1 Corinthians 7:5).