by Edward Smith<\/p>\n
How many Christians do you know who practice fasting for religious reasons?<\/p>\n
The people who have a conviction to fast are often the very ones who also have a conviction not to do it to be seen by men – so their fasting goes unnoticed (Matthew 6:16-18). The perception, sadly, is that Christians do not fast.<\/p>\n
Even a cursory reading of the New Testament shows that the disciples practiced fasting. Acts 13:1-3 is particularly insightful:<\/p>\n
“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away<\/em>” (Acts 13:1-3).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
We often call attention to the acts of fasting, prayer, and the laying on of hands in verse 3 in sending Barnabas and Saul out on their missionary journey. But we overlook the fact (vs. 1-2) that these five prophets and teachers were already<\/em> fasting as part of their work in Antioch. Were they fasting and asking the Lord for more souls? More wisdom? More patience? More skill? All of these? I wish I knew.<\/p>\n
In any discussion of fasting, there are four major principles to be observed:<\/p>\n
\n
- It is never commanded. Any conclusions we draw from the examples and teachings about fasting should reflect that it is a choice, not an obligation.<\/li>\n
- Jesus assumed His disciples would<\/em> fast at appropriate times and in appropriate ways (Matthew 6:17; 9:15; 17:21).<\/li>\n
- The practice (or absence) of fasting does not make anyone more (or less) spiritual (Colossians 2:16-23).<\/li>\n
- Fasting should never be done for attention and personal glory (Matthew 6:16-18).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
In my experience (and I am not boasting), I have found that there are times when fasting comes more easily than others. When death suddenly strikes a loved one in the prime of life or when a family is destroyed by sin, I literally lose my appetite. A legalist may take exception to me calling this “fasting,” but when grief diminishes desire, it is still mentally possible for me to make it a choice. I often do not know what else to do in such situations except <\/b>to fast and pray. I have had more of these occasions as a shepherd and evangelist than I would like to recall.<\/p>\n
Fasting seems more challenging when I decide not to eat beforehand. This discipline reminds me that man does not live by bread alone. Whatever the reason-to resist temptation, pray for the sick, or gain wisdom before I speak to someone (or respond to a post)-periodic hunger helps me focus on spiritual warfare.<\/p>\n
I have also been the beneficiary of fasting. Christians in Africa have told me specific days and lengths of time they are fasting for me<\/em>. Such knowledge is powerful – and appreciated.<\/p>\n
Perhaps this is the answer for changing the perception that Christians do not fast: many private, personal efforts, although known only to a few, are still taking place. Making it known that we are fasting together as we serve the Lord does not necessarily draw attention to us, but it should certainly draw attention to Him – perhaps we are hiding the fact too well! Words (“I’ll be praying for you”) and emojis (praying hands) are appreciated but never as powerful as action. Letting someone know that their spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, or other struggle is important enough for you to avoid a few meals will build the bond of fellowship and glorify Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Edward Smith How many Christians do you know who practice fasting for religious reasons? The people who have a conviction to fast are often the very ones who also have a conviction not to do it to be seen by men – so their fasting goes unnoticed (Matthew 6:16-18). The perception, sadly, is that…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[545,1510],"class_list":["post-83411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-fasting","tag-prayers"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":63466,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-christians-fast-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":83411,"position":0},"title":"Should Christians Fast? (Sermon)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 18, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-12\u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Once in a while someone will ask if they ought to fast. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Is it something acceptable in the New Testament, or was it only a part of the Old? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do you fast just to be doing, or does it serve some purpose? II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Purpose\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4053,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-christians-fast\/","url_meta":{"origin":83411,"position":1},"title":"Should Christians fast? (Answer)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 12, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have a friend who asked about fasting. All I could quote was\u00a0Matthew 6:16\u00a0and\u00a0Matthew 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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11030,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-is-the-significance-of-fasting-for-twenty-one-days\/","url_meta":{"origin":83411,"position":2},"title":"What is the significance of fasting for twenty-one days?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 9, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"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:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":55097,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-fasting-required-to-communicate-with-god\/","url_meta":{"origin":83411,"position":3},"title":"Is fasting required to communicate with God?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 9, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18082,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-kind-of-oil-should-be-used-for-anointing-during-fasts\/","url_meta":{"origin":83411,"position":4},"title":"What kind of oil should be used for anointing during fasts?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 6, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":87975,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/fasting-and-sabbaths\/","url_meta":{"origin":83411,"position":5},"title":"Fasting and Sabbaths","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Tommy Peeler Isaiah 58 stresses God's commandments about fasting (Isaiah 58:1-12) and the Sabbath day (Isaiah 58:13-14). Israel was called to humble themselves when fasting (Isaiah 58:3, 5) and to refrain from their pleasures on the Sabbath to do what is pleasing to the Lord (Isaiah 58:13-14). Israel was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83411"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83411\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}