Christian Fasting

Zachm531

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Ive noticed that i keep seeing the term “be in prayer and fasting” all over the place and it really stands out to me as of lately. I was just curious as to when a Christian should be fasting, what that fasting should entail and if you could point me to any clarifying scriptures. I have never done a spiritual fast before, but, because I keep seeing it everywhere i feel that the Lord wants me to take a deeper look. Thank you all in advance. ( and if i posted this in the wrong area feel free to move it to where its more appropriate, thank you!)
 

Not David

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Ive noticed that i keep seeing the term “be in prayer and fasting” all over the place and it really stands out to me as of lately. I was just curious as to when a Christian should be fasting, what that fasting should entail and if you could point me to any clarifying scriptures. I have never done a spiritual fast before, but, because I keep seeing it everywhere i feel that the Lord wants me to take a deeper look. Thank you all in advance. ( and if i posted this in the wrong area feel free to move it to where its more appropriate, thank you!)
Orthodox fast on Wednesday and Friday.
Orthodox Fasting - Questions & Answers
 
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Jonaitis

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Let's see, you will need to wear a very coarse, rough woven fabric called sackcloth. Hmm, you will need to throw a bunch of dust and ashes on your head. You would also need to sacrifice breakfast, lunch, and dinner and those "secret snacks" you hide under your mattress before you sleep. And...you need to sleep outside on the cold ground weeping and wailing aloud. Since you aren't suppose to do it before others to be seen by them, you might have to relocate to somewhere completely in solitude, maybe the wilderness. Some of those men fasted for 40 days straight, which would be a little over a month and a week.

I hope it goes well for you, I failed on the first day.
 
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chevyontheriver

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Ive noticed that i keep seeing the term “be in prayer and fasting” all over the place and it really stands out to me as of lately. I was just curious as to when a Christian should be fasting, what that fasting should entail and if you could point me to any clarifying scriptures. I have never done a spiritual fast before, but, because I keep seeing it everywhere i feel that the Lord wants me to take a deeper look. Thank you all in advance. ( and if i posted this in the wrong area feel free to move it to where its more appropriate, thank you!)
Jesus did say "when you fast ...." and not "if you fast ...." so the presumption is that we would fast.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Isaiah 58:5-7 King James Version (KJV)

5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
 
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JIMINZ

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.............
 

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Aabbie James

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A fast is connected with a deep mournful spirit in confessing sin:
  • Leviticus 16
  • Matthew 6:16-18
There's no longer a Day of Atonement so that the only public fast is done away with. Whatever there is a fasting that remains is a personal, private, spontaneous, and voluntary fast.

The Bible never prescribes the time for a fast. The time depends on the person, depends on the circumstance, depends on the situation, and depends the need.
 
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JIMINZ

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Ive noticed that i keep seeing the term “be in prayer and fasting” all over the place and it really stands out to me as of lately.

I have never done a spiritual fast before, but, because I keep seeing it everywhere

I have looked it up and these are the results, these are the only two places in the New Testament where this is used and both are about the same event.

"Prayer and Fasting" New Testament.

Mat. 17:21
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Mar. 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

I inverted it and came up with this.

1Co. 7:5
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

The old Testament does not have any results for either.

My question is, where are you seeing this all over?
 
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Monna

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Go to BibleGateway (BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.) and enter "fasted" in the search field. Depending on the version of the Bible you're using, you will get quite a few hits - in both the Old and New Testament.
Look at them closely, describe for yourself the situation, the circumstances (i.e. the context) and see if that helps you understand how, when and why fasting was practised. If you read the whole stories (or chapters) surrounding the references, you may also get an idea of God's response to these specific instances.

An additional thought: often deeply felt prayer (meditational, worshipful, confessional...etc.) has direct and profound impact on the person praying. That is, apart from "answers" to prayer, the act of sincere prayer influences the person praying. Consider the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual impact that fasting might have on the person "praying and fasting" or "fasting and praying." I would then encourage you to share your findings...:)
 
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PizzaAddict

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Ive noticed that i keep seeing the term “be in prayer and fasting” all over the place and it really stands out to me as of lately. I was just curious as to when a Christian should be fasting, what that fasting should entail and if you could point me to any clarifying scriptures. I have never done a spiritual fast before, but, because I keep seeing it everywhere i feel that the Lord wants me to take a deeper look. Thank you all in advance. ( and if i posted this in the wrong area feel free to move it to where its more appropriate, thank you!)

Before performing exorcisms you should fast.
 
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Zachm531

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I have looked it up and these are the results, these are the only two places in the New Testament where this is used and both are about the same event.

"Prayer and Fasting" New Testament.

Mat. 17:21
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Mar. 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

I inverted it and came up with this.

1Co. 7:5
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

The old Testament does not have any results for either.

My question is, where are you seeing this all over?
Didnt have to be those exact terms but here ya go: BIBLE VERSES ABOUT FASTING AND PRAYER
 
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