Prayer & Fasting in the New Testament

Praying and Fasting Part II - Practice and Purpose in the New Testament.

“Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast” (Matt 9:15).

That is the answer Jesus gives to the disciples of John the Baptist when they ask Him (in v 14) why His disciples do not fast like they and even the Pharisees do.

Note two things in Jesus’ answer. First, it is not a question of “if” but “when.” He just assumes that the time will come when His disciples will fast. Secondly, He links “fast” to “mourn.” This suggests clearly that fasting is an outward expression of mourning.

A quick survey of the New Testament will indicate the following about fasting:

· Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness. He was “tempted of the devil” (Luke 4:2). Throughout that period, Jesus felt it appropriate to fast.
· Jesus taught fasting in His “Sermon on the Mount.” He likens fasting to prayers and the giving of alms. That is, it is an act of righteousness done to please the Father, which is expected of those who would be citizens of the Kingdom
· He says “when” not “if” to the disciples of John the Baptist; thus, indicating that fasting would have a place in the disciples’ lives on appropriate occasions, but not as a ceremonial rite (Luke 5:33-39).
· At special times prayer joined with fasting is necessary to accomplish things which normal faith may not (Matt 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29).
· However, Jesus warns that fasting should never be made a subject of outward display (Matt 6:16 – 18).
· Both the churches in Antioch and Galatia fast (Acts 13:1-3; 14:21-23). Both are examples of fasting as a group. The former are when they are preparing to send out Barnabas and Saul, and the latter is in conjunction with the serious task of appointing elders. Notice here that it is done “in every church.”
· And finally, fasting is a very prominent fact in the ministry of the apostle Paul. See for example, 2 Cor. 6:4 – 10; 11: 23 – 28. In these passages, Paul mentions fasting as a mark of his ministry and of his good standing as a minister of Christ. He also taught that fasting might have a place in the lives of others (See for example 1 Cor. 7:5).

From all these we can conclude that:

1. Unlike prayer, fasting is not commanded, though it is often joined to it.
2. Fasting is a voluntary act on the part of every beliver when he/she realizes his/her inadequancy.
3. Fasting is a legitimate response to dangers, to hardships, to sadness, to mourning, or to confession of sin and to a time of misfortune and misery.
4. Fasting does indeed have a place in the lives of Christians today.

In Him,
Rev Robert Chew