Reasons to fast

[MissH84]

I know people fast to get a specific prayer answered but others say you shouldn't fast to get something.
I'm confused because I also hear that you should know why and what you're fasting for.
Can I fast without a specific reason and see how God moves in my life?
However I do want to fast to improve my prayer life (mostly praying with others because I haven't done that yet due to nervousness) or is that asking for something for selfish reasons?
Why do you fast unless it's asking for something?

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

I know people fast to get a specific prayer answered but others say you shouldn't fast to get something.
I'm confused because I also hear that you should know why and what you're fasting for.
Can I fast without a specific reason and see how God moves in my life?
However I do want to fast to improve my prayer life (mostly praying with others because I haven't done that yet due to nervousness) or is that asking for something for selfish reasons?
Why do you fast unless it's asking for something?

Even without a specific obvious pressing issue to petition God - even when 'just' praying the Lords prayer you can fast. In this life we will be and should be dependent on God; we need daily food, forgiveness, shelter from evil, His Spirit working/living in us, guidance, etc. All these things in itself are sufficient to pray and fast for. Fasting is humbling ourselves for God - that attitude should always be sought.

 

[Richard T]

I know people fast to get a specific prayer answered but others say you shouldn't fast to get something.
I'm confused because I also hear that you should know why and what you're fasting for.
Can I fast without a specific reason and see how God moves in my life?
However I do want to fast to improve my prayer life (mostly praying with others because I haven't done that yet due to nervousness) or is that asking for something for selfish reasons?
Why do you fast unless it's asking for something?

There are lots of reasons to fast. Isaiah 58 below, some demons do not go out except by prayer and fasting. David fasted so his son would not die, though that did not work. Jesus fasted because he was led by the Holy Spirit. Daniel fasted because he wanted an answer from God. I and others i know have fasted for someone to be saved and have had good results. To improve your prayer life sounds great. We ask that God gives you boldness to share and to pray. In this edited version I removed the statement hezekiah fasted as that was incorrect. Hezekiah prayed and God added the 15 years. I would add too that fasting does not change God, but it changes us to a position where the flesh is put down and the spirit more alive to God. It also clears out the demonic atmosphere more, as fasting can be a form of spiritual warfare.

Some bad things attached to fasting - doing it for public approval or to be seen. king Saul's fasting made the troops weak.

I always liked this pamphlet for a primer on fasting. Kenneth-E-Hagin-A-Common-Sense-Guide-to-Fasting.pdf

Isaiah 58:6-7 (KJV)
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?

 

[David Lamb]

I know people fast to get a specific prayer answered but others say you shouldn't fast to get something.
I'm confused because I also hear that you should know why and what you're fasting for.
Can I fast without a specific reason and see how God moves in my life?
However I do want to fast to improve my prayer life (mostly praying with others because I haven't done that yet due to nervousness) or is that asking for something for selfish reasons?
Why do you fast unless it's asking for something?

I don't think it is biblically correct to say we fast to get prayer answered. Fasting can help us with prayer, but we don't fast to persuade God to do something He otherwise wouldn't do.

 

[timewerx]

Can I fast without a specific reason and see how God moves in my life?

This is probably the best way to do it. Fasting can even become part of your lifestyle.

 

[timf]

Fasting can cause one to the distractions of the day sort of as a reminder to pray.