Christian Prayer and Fasting

1. Fasting, in order to prayer, is to be measured by the proportions of the times of prayer; that is, it ought to be a total fast from all things, during the solemnity, unless a palpable necessity intervene. Thus the Jews ate nothing upon the Sabbath-days till their great offices were performed; that is, about […]

Fasting, if it be considered in itself, without relation to spiritual ends, is a duty nowhere enjoined or counselled. But Christianity hath to do with it as it may be made an instrument of the Spirit, by subduing the lusts of the flesh, or removing any hinderances of religion. And it hath been practised by […]

B. OTHER FASTS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT…
      — People often fasted without specific commandment in time of distress; some were communal affairs while others were acts of the private individual
      1. THEY FASTED IN WAR, OR AT THE THREAT OF IT
         a. Israel fasted at Bethel in the war against the Benjamites - Judges 20:26
         […]

II. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FASTING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
   A. THE PURPOSE OF FASTING…
      1. Some fasting was a natural reaction to grief over the loss of a loved one (like the men of Jabesh-gilead and David)
      2. But more often, fasting was done to purposely:
         a. “afflict the soul” - Leviticus 23:26-32
         b. “chasten […]

I. OCCASIONS OF FASTING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
   A. THE “DAY OF ATONEMENT”…
      1. Leviticus 16:29-31; 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7
      2. This was the only fast commanded by the Law, to be observed on
         the tenth day of the seventh month
      3. Though not called “fasting”, the phrase “afflicting one’s
         soul” was understood to refer to […]