Perhaps the most important question has been saved for the end:
Why should I fast?
Why should I fast?
This question is deeply connected to what has already been discussed as far as our motives for fasting are concerned. (If you haven't already, see pt. 1 and 2) That being said, there are a lot of reasons for why we should fast. One source I read said the purposes believers should engage in fasting are,
• To demonstrate their satisfaction in God. (Matthew 4:4)
• To humble themselves before God. (Daniel 9:3)
• To request God’s help. (2 Samuel 12:16; Esther 4:16; Ezra 8:23)
• To seek God’s will. (Acts 13:2-3)
• To turn from sin. (Jonah 3:5-10)
• To worship God without distractions. (Luke 2:36-38)
When we engage in fasting, we disengage in what we would normally engage in frequently (eating), and to use that time to seek the Lord earnestly in prayer. Fasting, in fact, is never seen apart from the act of prayer in all the Bible. That's quite a statement, I know, but you can take it to the bank, cause it's the truth.
As one has pastor has said, “You can engage in prayer without fasting, but you can never fast apart from engaging in prayer.”
• To demonstrate their satisfaction in God. (Matthew 4:4)
• To humble themselves before God. (Daniel 9:3)
• To request God’s help. (2 Samuel 12:16; Esther 4:16; Ezra 8:23)
• To seek God’s will. (Acts 13:2-3)
• To turn from sin. (Jonah 3:5-10)
• To worship God without distractions. (Luke 2:36-38)
When we engage in fasting, we disengage in what we would normally engage in frequently (eating), and to use that time to seek the Lord earnestly in prayer. Fasting, in fact, is never seen apart from the act of prayer in all the Bible. That's quite a statement, I know, but you can take it to the bank, cause it's the truth.
As one has pastor has said, “You can engage in prayer without fasting, but you can never fast apart from engaging in prayer.”
Prayer always accompanies fasting, and the ultimate purpose in the end is to seek God. When you fast, perhaps make a list of things or people that you feel the Lord is leading you to pray for. It's helpful to have a list because sometimes you'll just sit there for 20 minutes and really not pray anything. It's difficult sometimes when we sit there not knowing what to pray. Sometimes we can be so full of sorrow and confusion that we don't even know what to say. One encouraging truth to remember is that the Bible teaches that even when we don't know what to pray the Holy Spirit is praying on our behalf.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27)
What a blessing, right? The Spirit actually prays on our behalf. (v. 26) And When God, the Holy Spirit, prays to God, the Father, He always says, "Yes!" Because the Spirit prays in accordance with the will of God. (v. 27)
In conclusion, whether it's because of sin, for guidance, or for help, or just to be with the Lord, fasting is to be Christ-centered. It's all about Christ in the end, not about us. In the book of Mark, chapter two, a group of scribes approached Jesus who was reclining at the table in Matthew's home. They began to ridicule Jesus, because they had noticed that while their disciples fasted, and even John the Baptist's disciples fasted, the disciples of Jesus did no such thing. I close with the words of Jesus, in response to the scribes question as to why His disciples were not fasting,
“And Jesus said to them,
'While the bridegroom is with them,
the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they?
So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast in that day.'"
(Mark 2:19-20)
Loved ones, Jesus' disciples had no need to fast at this moment because Christ, the bridegroom, was with them!--and nobody fasts at a wedding! And so, the disciples of Jesus had no need to fast because Christ, the God of the universe, had made his dwelling among them.
Since Jesus spoke these words, much has happened. He was crucified for sinners, died and was buried, but raised to life on the third day. After this He ascended to heaven. In other words, the bridegroom has since then been taken away, but just as He left, so He will return. And when He comes back, He will judge this world. All those who are in Christ will be found righteous because of all that He has accomplished through his death and resurrection, but all those who do not know the Lord will be forever in torment. Do you know this Jesus, who will return, my reader? Give heed to these words, stranger, for they are not my own. They are, rather, the Words of God, that today is the day to turn from your sins, today is the day of salvation. Come and to cling to the precious Lord Jesus. Forsake this life and be done with this world! For all who turn will be counted forgiven, but all who are found with sin will be thrown into the eternal lake of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. As it has so wisely been said,
Christ is coming back, loved ones! Christ is coming back! And when our Lord returns we won't have to fast any longer, for He will make His dwelling place among us! We will not fast, rather; we will feast! For there will be nothing to mourn over after Jesus does away with pain and wipes away every tear. There will nothing to repent of because Christ will glorify us and make us like Him. There will be nothing to seek after, because the One we've sought after all along will finally be with us, face to face. Oh, for that day! Let it come soon, Lord! Let all the people of God say, "Amen! Amen!" Let all His chosen children sing out, "Hallelujah! Bless the Lord!" Let all we Saints of Christ look forward and persevere until that day!--that faithful day, in which we will finally be home.
Since Jesus spoke these words, much has happened. He was crucified for sinners, died and was buried, but raised to life on the third day. After this He ascended to heaven. In other words, the bridegroom has since then been taken away, but just as He left, so He will return. And when He comes back, He will judge this world. All those who are in Christ will be found righteous because of all that He has accomplished through his death and resurrection, but all those who do not know the Lord will be forever in torment. Do you know this Jesus, who will return, my reader? Give heed to these words, stranger, for they are not my own. They are, rather, the Words of God, that today is the day to turn from your sins, today is the day of salvation. Come and to cling to the precious Lord Jesus. Forsake this life and be done with this world! For all who turn will be counted forgiven, but all who are found with sin will be thrown into the eternal lake of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. As it has so wisely been said,
"Only one life;
'twill soon be past.
Only what's done
For Christ will last."
Christ is coming back, loved ones! Christ is coming back! And when our Lord returns we won't have to fast any longer, for He will make His dwelling place among us! We will not fast, rather; we will feast! For there will be nothing to mourn over after Jesus does away with pain and wipes away every tear. There will nothing to repent of because Christ will glorify us and make us like Him. There will be nothing to seek after, because the One we've sought after all along will finally be with us, face to face. Oh, for that day! Let it come soon, Lord! Let all the people of God say, "Amen! Amen!" Let all His chosen children sing out, "Hallelujah! Bless the Lord!" Let all we Saints of Christ look forward and persevere until that day!--that faithful day, in which we will finally be home.
Grace and peace, Saints!
zach
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