Is fasting required to communicate with God?

Question: Regarding fasting: some pastors say that when you want God to communicate with you, you have to fast for three days or more, and if you want to be delivered from certain things fasting has to be involved. Is it really true? Secondly, in Matthew 17:19-21, may I ask for further clarification? What are…

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If you chose to fast, how do you not let family members know?

Question: Hi, I’m a little confused about the practice of fasting. From what I understand, we, Christians, have the freedom to do fasting and that it should be done privately. At the present time, families mostly stay at home and it is unavoidable to notice everyone’s actions inside the house. If one desires to fast…

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Rituals Don’t Cancel Sin

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/RitualsDontCancelSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-14   I.         Men get into their minds that they need to make God listen to them             A.        Like a child holding his breath, they believe that if they suffer, then God will listen             B.        There were false religions based on self-inflicted pain to gain their god’s attention – I Kings…

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Doesn’t Matthew 6:17 tell us to anoint ourselves?

Question: Hi, I am a member of the church in Indiana. I was studying this morning about fasting and like always, I drifted off into another topic (I’m sure this happens to you also and many Christians). That’s one reason why God’s Word is so good because you can never have enough. As I stated,…

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Did Jesus gain the power to do miracles because he fasted?

Question: Before Jesus began his ministry, he was led to the desert where he was tempted. He fasted the whole period. Many in the denominations claim he was empowered two perform miracles after his fast, such as turning water into wine, etc. In their claim, two miracle-working powers popular are that they fasted for a…

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Do you need to be baptized in order to go to heaven?

Question: Hello, I have a couple of questions, but I hope I am not bothering you in any way. Do you need to be baptized in order to go to heaven? If so, what other things must you do? Do you need to be baptized to be a Christian? Can you be a Christian if…

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Is it necessary to fast or to give something up for God?

Question: Is it necessary to fast or to give something up for God? For example, I love video games. So does me giving up video games for a week please God? Answer: “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject…

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Can a Christian come back after falling several times?

Question: I’ve been pondering and thinking about it all. Here’s my question, can a saved Christian after he’s saved and changes his lifestyle, shrink back? Fall from the faith? Go back to his old ways? And then return back to Christ? For a more clear illustration: Say a young man is involved with gang activity,…

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What kind of oil should be used for anointing during fasts?

Question: Would you please explain Matthew 6:17? It says “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head and wash thy face” but many people say something like do not take this verse literally, anointing one’s head is not really important, what really matters is his/her attitude towards God. But I think since the Bible teaches…

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Is it an obligation to fast and make sacrifices to God?

Question: Is it an obligation to fast and make sacrifices for God? Or is it just a holy week thing? If it is an obligation, how often are we supposed to do it? Answer: For fasting, see: Should Christians fast? The only sacrifice in the New Testament is the dedication of one’s life to God. “I…

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Will fasting show God that I want to change?

Question: I am a twenty-year-old girl who recently back-slid heavily from our Father’s ways. I thought that I was really sorry that last time I committed the sin of fortification and drunkenness and would stay away from it; however, it is proven not to be that way, and recently I committed those sins, several times,…

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How do I get God to make me a slave to righteousness?

Question: I have been praying at night lately that God would help make me a slave to righteousness and a light to the world.  He says that I don’t have because I have not asked.  If I ask every night and bug him about this nightly will He put me on this path of pureness before Him?  Also,…

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What is the significance of fasting for twenty-one days?

Question: What is the significance of 21 days of fasting? Four of us are fasting and praying for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, our families’ salvation and for our friends nearby. I saw on your web site about the importance of 40 days and thought of asking you. Answer: Under the Old Testament, God…

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Should Christians fast?

Question: I have a friend who asked about fasting. All I could quote was Matthew 6:16 and Matthew 15:17-20. Can you tell me where it says that all food is good for you? I can’t remember the passage. Also, could you explain Matthew 17:21? Does it mean you should fast? Is it something we should do? Answer: There…

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Should Christians Fast?

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-12  I.         Once in a while someone will ask if they ought to fast.             A.        Is it something acceptable in the New Testament, or was it only a part of the Old?             B.        Do you fast just to be doing, or does it serve some purpose? II.        Purpose of Fasting             A.        Fasting was done…

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Notes on Fasting

Judges 20:26 I Samuel 7:6 I Samuel 31:13 II Samuel 1:12 II  Samuel 12:16-23 I Kings 21:27 I Chronicles 10:12 II Chronicles 20:3 Ezra 8:21-23 Nehemiah 1:4 Nehemiah 9:1 Esther 4:3 Esther 4:16 Esther 9:31 Psalm 35:13 Psalm 69:10 Psalm 109:24 Isaiah 58:1-12 Jeremiah 14:12 Jeremiah 36:6, 9 Daniel 6:18 Daniel 9:3 Joel 1:14 Joel…

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