1.     I would like to speak tonight on the subject of fasting.

2.     The ISBE says to fast means to “afflict soul or self,” i.e. to practice self-denial.  Though the word “fast” is not used in James 4:9, I think that is the idea behind being “afflicted” (cf. Isaiah 58:3).

3.     Our Lord is saying in Matthew 17:21 that fasting is necessary for breaking down certain demonic strongholds.

4.     Did you know that Matthew 17:21 is left out of the NASV, NIV, RSV, NEB, Jerusalem Bible, the Phillips paraphrase, etc.  The TEV puts it in brackets, indicating it does not belong there.

5.     These modern translations also omit fasting in Mark 9:29; Acts 10:30; I Cor. 7:5; II Cor. 6:5; and II Cor. 11:27.

6.     I am not an expert in the Bible translation controversy, but I firmly believe that the devil has taken the word “fasting” out of these new translations.

7.     The devil is trying to undermine and weaken this important Biblical teaching.  God wants us to fast and pray, but the devil does not want us to fast and pray.

8.     So here is one obvious reason for why so many Christians are disregarding what the Bible teaches regarding fasting.  They are using corrupt and inaccurate versions of the Bible.

9.     I think another reason is found in the apostle Paul’s second epistle to Timothy, chapter 3 and verses 1-4.  “For men shall be lovers of their own selves…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”

10.If a church announces a banquet or picnic, everyone will show up.  If the pastor or others talk about fasting, not too many people are interested (cf. Psalm 35:13).

11.In Matthew 6:16, our Lord said, “Moreover when ye fast…”  He did not say, “If ye fast…” but, “When ye fast…”

12.In Matthew 9:15, our Lord said to the disciples of John, “but the days will come, when the bridegroom (referring to Himself) shall be taken from them, and then shall they (referring to His disciples) fast.”

13.In the Bible, fasting is usually associated with prayer.  This should be our emphasis.

I. PRAYER AND FASTING

1.     In I Cor. 7:5, the apostle Paul writes, “that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer.”

2.     Daniel said, “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession…” (Dan. 9:3, 4).

3.     Notice prayer and fasting go together.   Our Lord said to His disciples, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:21).

4.     Acts 13:3 says, “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

5.     Acts 14:23 says, “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING

 In his article entitled, “Biblical Fasting,” David Cloud lists over 30 positive examples, commands, and instructions in Scripture about fasting:

Judges 20:26 — Israel fasted for victory in war.
I Sam. 1:6-7 — Hannah fasted for a son.
I Sam. 7:6 — Israel fasted in repentance.
I Sam. 31:13—Men of Jabesh-gilead fasted in mourning for Saul.
II Sam. 1:12— David and his men fasted seven days in mourning for Saul, Jonathan, and the fallen of Israel.
II Sam. 12—King David fasted for mercy upon his child.
I Kings 21:27 — King Ahab fasted for mercy.
II Chron. 20:3—King Jehoshaphat and Israel fasted for help and protection.
Ezra 8:21-23 — Ezra and the people fasted for help and protection.
Nehemiah 1:4 — Nehemiah fasted in mourning and for help upon Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 9:1, 2 — Israel fasting in mourning and repentance.
Esther 4:16 — Esther and friends fasted for victory.
Esther 9:3 — Fasting is mentioned as having had a role in the Jews’ victory.
Psalm 35:13, 14 — Fasting in prayer and mourning.
Psalm 69: 10, 11 — Fasting in prayer and mourning.
Isaiah 58:6-8 — The fast which pleases God.
Jeremiah 36:9 — Israel fasted for mercy.
Joel 1:14; 2:12, 15 — God commanded fasting and repentance.
Jonah 3:5 — The Ninevites fasted in repentance for mercy.
Daniel 9:3 — Daniel fasted for wisdom.
Matthew 4:2 — Jesus fasted when tempted in the wilderness.
Matthew 6:17-18 — Jesus promised that the Father would bless fasting.
Matthew 9:14-15 — Jesus said his disciples would fast.
Matthew 17:21 — Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic strongholds.
Mark 9:29 — Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic powers.
Luke 2:37 — Fasting was part of Anna’s service to God.
Acts 13:2 — Fasting was part of the ministry of the workers at Antioch.
Acts 13:3 — Ordination was accompanied by fasting.

Acts 14:23 — Ordination was accompanied by fasting.
I Cor. 7:5 — Fasting and prayer is the only proper reason for abstinence from the marital relationship.
II Cor. 6:5 — Fasting was one way Paul approved himself as a minister of Jesus Christ.
II Cor. 11:27 — Paul fasted often.

CONCLUSION (quotes from noted preachers):

1.     “Fastings and vigils without a special object in view are time run to waste” – David Livingstone.  * Interesting point.

2.     “Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down” – John Wesley.

3. “Quit playing, start praying. Quit feasting, start fasting” – Leonard Ravenhill.
4. “Prayer is reaching out and after the unseen; fasting, letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepens, confirms the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves, to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God” – Andrew Murray.
5. “Our seasons of fasting and prayer at the Tabernacle have been high days indeed; never has heaven’s gate stood wider; never have our hearts been nearer the central Glory” – C H Spurgeon.