Bible Verses About Speed? The 68 Correct Answer

As many had put off hope and sickened their hearts, The Spirit of Acceleration offers a resurgence of that hope. The Spirit of Acceleration does in seconds or minutes what would normally take months or years.

Wherever the spirit of acceleration awakens, God accelerates things. These last days are not a time of despair, but a time of joy, demonstration and deliverance. According to the Apostle Peter, it will be a time of “refreshing (and)…the restoration of all things” (Acts 3:19-21).

This book advocates basic principles that will ensure swiftness and strength for the latter-day church before Jesus returns. In this book, God teaches believers to work with wisdom so that they may be sustained by the riches of the kingdom and fulfill God’s end-time agenda.

The last-day spirit of quickening is God’s final push to end the age and herald the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, only a militant and moving church can drive out the enemy and achieve victory in life. It takes speed to shine in life and manifest its glory!

God saved the best for the last. An unparalleled glory is about to radiate from the church, and it will herald its coming and be marked by unusual speed and unusual glory. That is why the Bible says at Romans 9:28-30: “He will finish the work and break it up in righteousness; for the Lord will do a short work on the earth… (so that)… the Gentiles who did not follow righteousness may have obtained righteousness, even the righteousness that is of faith.”

As you read this, you are probably wondering why Christians fast, or why you should fast personally. This blog will answer both questions. Christians fast for a number of reasons, and it is important to realize that the reasons for fasting vary from person to person.

What are the Christian reasons for fasting? While there are a number of reasons for Christian fasting, the three main categories fall under biblical mandates, spiritual disciplines, and health benefits. Reasons for Christian fasting are closeness to God, spiritual freedom, guidance, waiting for Jesus’ return and of course a healthy body.

Let’s examine in depth the real reasons why Christians fast.

misunderstandings

Let’s get this straight first as this can be a misunderstanding in the Christian Church. Fasting will not atone you from your sin. Only repentance and the blood of Jesus can atone for your sins, and thank God we have that cleansing in full. However, repentance is a crucial step in our closeness to God, so repentance can be a great benefit before we start fasting.

Also, from your Google searches, you may find that many people fast to lose weight. This is not a biblical idea, and while weight loss can be an effect of fasting, for a Christian it is never the reason for fasting. We fast to honor and glorify the Lord in our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Spiritual reasons for fasting

Spiritually, fasting is extremely beneficial. How can fasting affect your spiritual life? Well, it brings you closer to God’s presence. When you are able to enter into the Lord without food, you become more receptive to His Spirit without the distraction of your desires. We also see in Scripture that God brings us spiritual freedom through fasting. This is another reason for fasting.

Knowing that we cannot take care of our physical needs will also push us to worship God. Worship is a commitment of our hearts to the Lord, and we will explain how fasting will help you in the spiritual act of worship. Then there is the spiritually disciplining side of fasting, which strengthens the ability to deny our flesh.

Let’s delve deeper into the spiritual issues that have been strengthened and grown in fasting.

closeness to God

“But now,” says the LORD,

“Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with sorrow; and rend your hearts and not your clothes. — Joel 2:12

Here we see the Lord of the nation of Israel explaining that fasting is indeed a tool to bring us closer to God. How exactly can this affect our spiritual life? Well, the closer we are to God, the closer we are to His Spirit. We see throughout Scripture that to be filled with the Spirit is to be close to God. Luke chapter 1 even says that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and that God is near.

In this Bible verse we also see that during fasting we should surrender our hearts to the Lord. When we give our hearts to Him, we grow in relationship with Him, which will ultimately bring us closer to God.

This verse also shows how fasting can bring us closer to God, because through fasting God is calling the people of Israel to repentance. In our repentance, God forgives our sins. Therefore, we no longer have sin between us and God, creating closeness in our bond with Him.

spiritual freedom

Is not this the fast I choose: to untie the chains of wickedness, to unbuckle the straps of the yoke, to set free the oppressed, and to break every yoke? – Isaiah 58:6

Many people are encouraged by this verse from Isaiah 58 entitled True Fasting. This chapter is about fasting and this verse emphasizes the fasting of the Lord. It is heartening to know that a true fast is one that loses bodies of wickedness and a heavy yoke. It shows that fasting serves to free man from the oppression of this world and from sin. It also shows that God wants to break the heavy yoke that keeps us from Him.

If a reader really analyzes this passage, he will find out what God means by His words in this passage. If we look at many translations and the Septuagint, we find that “loosing the bonds of wickedness” means a wide variety of freedom. This freedom includes freedom from the bondage of “corrupt judgment,” which means sin. We also get freedom from the bondage under which men are held. The attachment to what the world asks of us and what we feel we must strive for. God wants us to know that we are not bound by human obligations but by His freedom by following Him.

People caught in bondage will fast with this verse in mind. There are many testimonies of these people being caught in sin and then being freed from their fasting. This is because God is fulfilling His promise that a true spiritual fast will bring freedom to man.

worship god

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband for seven years after their marriage, and was then a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but prayed day and night, fasted and prayed. — Luke 2:36-37

Many Christians use this verse to show how fasting can be a form of worship. Worship is one of the absolutely most powerful spiritual acts that we can engage in. Anna fasted to worship God. It is mentioned here, which is significant in showing that fasting and prayer are forms of worship.

For the modern Christian we can see how fasting is worship of God and that when we fast we must also pray. When we fast, we choose to serve Him with our bodies and minds. The only way to truly fast is to focus on God because we cannot do it on our own. Just like Anna, we can choose to fix our minds and look to God, which is true worship. So fasting is a form of worship of God.

deny the flesh

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. — Philippians 3:19

Since we are governed by our flesh, or more specifically, as Paul puts it, by our belly, we do not give glory to God. We cannot be governed by our flesh if we are to glorify God with our lives, but we must be governed by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9). Paul urges Christians not to be greedy or to be guided by their own carnal desires.

Paul is actually referring to a real “god” or idol in this passage. He tells the reader that the god of their stomachs is the god of the Cyclops. Cyclopes did nothing but sacrifices for themselves to satisfy their own carnal cravings. They did nothing but love their own bellies and pleasures instead of loving and serving the one true God. As believers in God, we must not behave like these people. We are to serve God for His good pleasure before we serve ourselves.

Fasting is a tool for saying “no” to what our flesh wants. If we can be disciplined in eating and drinking, we can be disciplined in other carnal areas of our lives. When we fast, we teach our body that we are its master and not the other way around.

The basic idea

Even if fasting sometimes seems almost impossible, be it because of our schedule, personal life, work life or even self-discipline, we can see that it is spiritually very beneficial. Finding excuses not to fast only hinders our spiritual life. There is nothing more rewarding than deepening our spiritual journey because we were created to have spiritual intimacy with God. So when we take the time to fast, we gain freedom, spiritual maturity, and intimacy with God and His Holy Spirit.

Biblical Reasons to Fast

The Bible is full of biblical references to fasting. The Bible often makes it clear that it strengthens our faith. We see strong biblical characters participating in the fast. It is also made known to Jesus’ followers that there is a reward for those who fast before the Lord with a humble heart. Let’s look at why biblical characters fast, how it strengthens God’s people, and how Jesus is deeply involved in fasting throughout the Bible.

The reward

And when you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, lest your fasting be seen by others, but by your Father who is in secret. And your father who sees in secret will reward you. – Matthew 6:16-18

Jesus is very clear here. He chose to say “when [you] fast,” proving that we should fast. He didn’t say “if you want to fast” or “if you choose to fast”. No, Jesus took it for granted that we should fast. Not only that, we also need to look at the good reasons why Jesus says we must fast.

Our fasting is to be “hidden” just as Jesus withdrew from fasting. He did not go around town to show that he was fasting. It would have been like the Pharisees who only fasted out of respect for the people. They did this for their own pride. Jesus wants us to know that during our fasting, God is looking at the motives of our hearts. That we should fast for God’s glory and not for our own.

Jesus says we must fast because we will receive a reward. Whether in heaven or on earth, we will be more than blessed to receive a reward from our Father. However, if we choose to boast of our holiness to people during a fast, we will not receive a reward from the Father, but it will be repaid, says Jesus.

humility

Is the fast I choose a day for someone to humble themselves? Shall he bow his head like a reed and scatter sack and ashes among himself? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? – Isaiah 58:5

Humility is a predominant characteristic of God’s people in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus himself lived in absolute humility. So much so that he gave his life for sinners. In his book, Isaiah writes the words of the Lord about fasting and how it is an act of humility.

God says (through Isaiah) that the Lord’s fast is one of humility. He rebukes the Israelites who choose to be proud and seek their own gain when fasting (see context of Isaiah 58). On the contrary, when we fast we should be humble ourselves before the Lord and before men.

In ancient Hebrew culture, burlap and ashes were a sign of mourning. Following example, many Christians today will fast to humble their hearts before the Lord while repenting for themselves or even for the sin of their entire nation. In this way they mourn man’s sin against God. Others fast to mourn or to mourn the loss of a loved one. This is an act of humility towards the Lord showing that you will seek him because he is the one who heals and forgives all.

leadership/wisdom

And when they appointed elders for them in each church, they entrusted them with prayer and fasting to the Lord in whom they had believed. — Acts 14:23

Why does fasting help us find wisdom and guidance? Fasting is a means of entrusting ourselves to the Lord. When we fast, our mind, soul, and spirit become more receptive to His Holy Spirit. God says He will give wisdom to those who seek it. So the apostles showed us that through fasting we can seek wisdom.

In the context of this scripture we see the apostles of our faith, Paul and Barnabas, fasting for guidance and wisdom. Indeed, this is not the only instance in the Bible where leaders fast to seek God’s guidance.

In Judges 20 we see that God favored the Israelite prayers because they chose to fast. It was then that God decided to give them clear wisdom and guidance on how to overcome their enemies.

Waiting for Jesus

Then the disciples of John came to him and said: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? Days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. – Matthew 9:14-15

As disciples of Jesus, we no longer have His physical presence with us. That is why we fast. We fast because Jesus told us in Scripture that his disciples would fast for him.

Without the physical comfort of Jesus’ presence, we long for him as we long for our heavenly bridegroom until the day of his return. Jesus points out that we fast to long for him, not as an obligation. He wants his followers to know the principle of fasting, not that it is a moral obligation.

The basic idea

Throughout Scripture there are many times and seasons for fasting. It’s hard to find a reason in Scripture not to fast because we see our biblical leaders fast for so many reasons. It is also important for you to know that God’s honors are fasting before Him. That is clear in Scripture.

It is also wise to ask God why you are fasting rather than the people around you. When we fast, we see in Scripture that it is for a very personal and intimate reason between an individual and God.

Let us remember that Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4) and that He overcame every temptation of mankind. The main idea is that fasting is beneficial, powerful and scriptural necessary for the followers of God.

Health reasons for fasting

God created man and God knows what is good for us; in every way, including our physical health. With the tremendous amount of physical benefits that fasting offers us, it is no wonder why the Lord commanded His people to fast. In fact, it is extremely healthy to abstain from food. However, we cannot overlook the sensitivity to pre-existing physical and health issues such as low blood sugar and eating disorders. Please do what is right for you given the health issues you already have.

For most, fasting is a major health benefit. From improving the brain to a stronger immune system to an even higher metabolism with a slower aging process. And we can’t forget that it actually detoxifies the body. All of this happens when we fast.

Improves brain function

When someone fasts, their brain function is greatly improved. During this time we become more sensitive to our surroundings and mind. This is because when we fast, we don’t rely on glucose as a source of energy. The body suddenly relies on ketones, which improves cognition. This means the brain is readily available to acquire knowledge and understanding through our thoughts, experiences, and senses. We are more interested in our surroundings, impressions and interpretations, which strongly emphasizes the functioning of our brain. This only happens when we fast.

Abstaining from food promotes brain growth and overall health. Looking at this quote from Nature Reviews Neuroscience, “the metabolic switch [from glucose to ketotones] affects multiple signaling pathways that promote neuroplasticity and the brain’s resilience to injury and disease.” We see here that ketones are healthy for our brain because it makes us stronger against tragedy like physical injury.

Restores the immune system

As great as fasting sounds, there are actually more benefits to fasting. Fasting restores your immune system.

According to an article titled FASTING FOR 72 HOURS CAN RESET YOUR ENTIRE IMMUNE SYSTEM, “When you fast for an extended period of time, your body uses stored glucose, fats, and produces ketone bodies, which are especially good for your brain. to keep you going and you’re flushing out everything your body doesn’t need, like damaged cells and toxins”. These damaged cells and toxins hold our immune system tight and weaken our immune system in fighting off invaders.

But we don’t have to fast for 72 hours to reap the immune system benefits of fasting.

In the article titled Magic Soup: How Intermittent Fasting May Enhance The Immune System, the author writes, “‘These three studies suggest that we can manipulate the immune system simply by changing how much we eat,” says Boussiotis of Beth Israel Deaconess. “Fasting could be used more effectively to help patients with certain diseases,” she says.” This entire article goes on to show that fasting can actually reduce pain, inflammation, and disease in the body.

Supports a healthy metabolism and anti-aging

From my research I have found that the best way to support your metabolism through fasting is to do intermittent fasting. When we fast for many days at a time, our metabolism slows down. However, when we fast intermittently, metabolism is actually boosted.

I’ve also found that human metabolism and antiaging are actually connected.

“The latest study investigating the effects of fasting on the human body concludes that it increases metabolic activity more than previously thought and may even offer anti-aging benefits,” reads the article Fasting Boosts Metabolism and Combats aging” written. In this article we can see from the quote that fasting is beneficial for our metabolism;

“As the human body starves for food, a number of different metabolic changes occur. Normally, when carbohydrates are readily available, the body uses them for fuel. But once they’re gone, it looks for energy elsewhere. In a process called gluconeogenesis, the body derives glucose from non-carbohydrate sources like amino acids. Scientists can find evidence of gluconeogenesis by assessing blood levels of certain metabolites, including carnitine and butyrate. As expected, the levels of these metabolites in the blood of the participants increased after fasting.”

From this we can deduce that fasting is conducive to the health of our metabolism and our overall aging process.

Detoxifies the body

When we choose to fast, our body chooses not to provide energy to our digestive system. In turn, the body actually starts looking for the negative cells in our body that are inflammatory or burdening the body. The body is actually detoxifying in this state.

From Why fast? The fasting state rids your body of toxins and damaged cells The author promotes fasting detoxification by stating: “In the fasting state, the body is looking for dead cells, damaged tissue, fatty deposits, tumors and abscesses to be burned for fuel or expelled as waste. The elimination of these blockages restores the functionality of the immune system and the metabolism to an optimal state.”

The basic idea

Scientists are constantly making new discoveries, and we can always learn new things. We only recently got the science to prove the benefits of fasting on the body. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise. For thousands of years, cultures and religions have opted for fasting. It is no wonder that Yahweh commanded the Israelites to carry out this practice. He guided her in the best way for her body and mind.

Application of this practice to life

We see that fasting benefits our mind, body and spirit. Spiritually we grow and deepen our intimacy with the Lord through fasting. Let our thoughts turn to the Scriptures of the many reasons for fasting. We also need to realize that fasting is so beneficial to our body’s health.

If you want to deepen your walk with Jesus, look no further than fasting. It can be easy to find our own reasons for not fasting instead of looking at the more valid reasons for fasting. Trust me I’ve been there. But if you don’t try, you’ll never see the beautiful benefits and rewards of fasting. And Jesus himself says that there will be a reward for those who fast in intimate fellowship with him.

Now that you know the reasons for fasting, apply this practice to your life. Be inspired by the reasons to go further in this discipline that the Lord has put upon us.

“Why are we fasting? What is the purpose of fasting?” New Era, July 2020, 45.

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Fasting (going without eating or drinking for a period of time) is an ancient practice. We believe it must have existed among believers from the beginning. The purposes of fasting include:

Develop spiritual strength, including resisting temptation.

Developing self-control, making our mind master of our body.

show humility.

show sadness.

increase prayer.

Gain spiritual knowledge and testimony.

Receive spiritual guidance.

help those in need.

As President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Fasting helps your spirit control your physical appetite. Fasting also increases your access to heaven’s help by intensifying your prayers” (October 2013 general conference [Liahona, Nov. 2013, 107]).

Another purpose of the law of the fast is to help those in need (see Isaiah 58:3–11). Today we are asked to skip two meals and to sacrifice at least the value of those meals. Our generous fast offering goes directly to the poor and needy, and we are blessed too.

As President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency said: “In [the Lord’s] church we are invited to help him as he ministers to the poor in his own way, and . . . he promises us eternal blessings as we help him” (“Is Not This the Fast I Chose?” Apr. 2015 general conference [The Ensign, May 2015, 25]).

Over in Twitter land, Eric Weinstein visits the AMNH at the same time as a bunch of Orthodox Jews and takes the opportunity for a little Q&A:

Me: Sorry, but how is the phylogenetic tree reconciled with the Torah? Modern orthodox man: Lorentzian time dilation. It’s a headache.

This is an interesting attempt to reconcile the six-day creation story with modern science, and raises an obvious question: How fast must God have been moving for the six-day creation to last 13.7 billion years?

This moves into Built on Facts territory, but the relevant formula is:

For six days (5.18 x 105 seconds) to appear like 13.7 billion years (4.32 x 1018 seconds), the Lorentz factor γ would have to be 8.34 x 1012. Solving this for relative speed as a fraction of the speed of light tells us that God must move at:

v God = 0.99999999999999999999999999281254 c

That’s only 2.15×10-16 m/s less than the speed of light. So, at the end of creation, God would only be 4.1 million feet after a ray of light.

Assuming rest, this would require a total energy of 7.5 x 1029 joules per kilogram of god-mass to get up to speed. If you had expended this kind of energy, you would also rest for the seventh day.

(You might try to argue that God’s mass should be zero since He is immaterial. That cannot be true, but as if His mass were zero He would necessarily be moving at exactly c, the speed of light. In that case the Lorentz factor γ would be infinite, and no time would have elapsed in God’s framework since creation began that God has non-zero mass, albeit very, very small.)

(If you were to assume that God was subject to the GZK limit so that he would not inelastically scatter photons from the cosmic microwave background, that would imply that God had a mass of 10-29 kg. But that would be just silly…)

In recent years, the popularity of fasting has increased dramatically as terms like intermittent fasting and time-restricted dieting have made their way into mainstream media. But before you dive straight into fasting, it’s important to understand exactly what fasting is, what the requirements are, and the three different types of fasting.

fasting explained

Fasting means going without food for a long period of time. Looking back to our very beginnings, fasting was part of everyday life. Obtaining our groceries was a challenge during this era and so going without food for extended periods was common. Fast forward to the 21st century and sourcing groceries is no longer a hassle, we can have it delivered to our home at the touch of a button.

With this new era in grocery sourcing, our pantries and refrigerators are as rich as ever. At the same time, fasting has grown in popularity, touted as a “quick” trick to reach your fitness goals. Fasting isn’t for everyone, however, and before you start restricting your diet, there are a few prerequisites you should keep in mind.

The Conditions of Fasting

In order to earn the right to fast, some basic behaviors must first be put in order.

Those who fast must demonstrate quality lifestyle practices, which include getting enough sleep, getting enough sun, drinking enough water, and chewing food thoroughly (we call these the basic lifestyle guidelines). Second, you should have a quality diet and be able to maintain blood sugar levels throughout the day. Learn how to create these quality lifestyle practices here.

The benefits of fasting:

Mental acuity: Research and empirical evidence have shown that being sober can improve cognitive function. Build and maintain a healthy gut: Abstaining from food for a period of time gives the gut a break from digesting and assimilating nutrients and can benefit the microbiome. Lower Stress and Inflammation: Fasting has been shown to lower inflammation by reducing oxidative stress and has been shown to lower insulin resistance.

Fasting can be used as a weight loss tool, but it is often not a sustainable long-term solution and can create problematic behaviors. For weight loss, the prerequisites listed above are the most effective solution.

3 different types of fasting and how to use them explained:

There are three main types of fasting: calorie restriction, nutrient restriction, and seasonal eating.

Calorie-reducing fasting

The simplest form of fasting is calorie restriction fasting. This is what most people think of when they hear the term “fasting”. It simply goes without food for a period of time. These types of fasts are usually done between 18 and 48 hours. To use this type of fasting effectively, make sure everyone who is fasting has consumed enough calories to support the fast in the previous few days. Then pick a day, have an early dinner, and fast for the designated time. Consume only water during the fast and keep activity levels low to support the fasted state.

Macro Nutrient Restriction Fasting

This type of fasting involves restricting one specific macronutrient (the three macronutrients are protein, carbohydrate and fat). Typically, these fasts are protein discharges. This type of fasting works best for athletes who have higher protein requirements and are constantly taxing their gut. With this type of fasting, the athlete eats only high-quality fats, carbohydrates and thoroughly cooked vegetables 2-3 days a month. Reducing protein consumption gives the gut a break and allows it to heal. Keep in mind that it’s still important to make sure their activity is very low during this time.

(Coach Resource: Learn our essential fitness coaching principles in this free class.

Seasonal Food:

The third type of fasting is not fasting at all, but seasonal eating. For this type of fasting, we need to go back to ancient times and examine what our food supply would have been like at different times of the year. In winter, fatter meat and tubers were eaten, and summer was reserved for fruit and lean meat. To truly eat seasonally, eat only what would be naturally available at that time of year. While our modern food access is great, most northern latitude civilizations would not have access to ripe bananas in January. Seasonal Nutrition follows the concept of personalized nutrition and learns what works best for you. In this blog you can learn the basics of personalized nutrition.

Fasting can support nutritional goals, but it is not the answer

Fasting may seem like the golden ticket to your or your client’s health goals, but they are only effective with a solid foundation of regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Are you interested in health and fitness? Have you thought about becoming a fitness trainer? You might be drawn to it… But you need to know more – what skills are needed and how can you turn them into a successful career?

When you’re ready to discover how you can turn your passion for fitness into a successful and sustainable career—and actually make a difference in the process—sign up for our free Professional Coaching Blueprint.

Prayer and fasting is the combination needed for THIS KIND. It is adversity that requires the suffering of our bodies and a determination to hear from God.

Matthew 17:16-21: “And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and corrupt generation, how long shall I be with you? how long should I put up with you? Bring him to me. And Jesus corrected the devil; and he left him, and the child was healed from that hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus one by one and said, Why couldn’t we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Go from here to there; and it will remove; and nothing will be impossible for you. But this kind comes only through prayer and fasting.”

The next question that needs to be answered is: what is fasting? Fasting means letting go of the visible to get in touch with the invisible. It can be food, sleep, or any other pleasure in life that we deny ourselves. Fasting is self-inflicted and expected from time to time in a Christian’s life.

Matthew 6:16-18 And when you fast, do not grieve like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to appear to the people who are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But you, if you are quickest, anoint your head and wash your face; Because you do not appear to people to fast, but to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret, you will be rewarded openly.”

Note that it is when you are fasting and not when you are fasting. We are also told not to make a fuss about our fasting, it is between us and God.

When should we fast and why fast? Let’s examine examples from God’s Word.

Joel 1:14, “Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.” We find here that we should call a fast, to declare our commitment or to show God that we mean business. It’s a way of turning to the Lord. Joel 2:12: “Therefore also now, saith the Lord: Return to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”

When something needs to change, we fast to promote reformation.

Nehemiah 1:3-4: “And they said unto me, The remnant of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and shame; also the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and her gates are burned up with fire. And it came to pass that when I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned on certain days, and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”

When you are fed up with the oppressive circumstances, it is time to fast and pray.

It is time to fast when the coming judgment is near.

Jonah 3:5: “So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the humble.”

The results of her fasting, her life was spared. King David also tried to release God’s mercy on his baby through fasting. Although it shouldn’t be, David knew the principle of fasting

2 Samuel 12:16: “Therefore David asked God for the child; and David fasted and went in and lay on the ground all night.”

When we need direction and are determined to hear from God, we should fast. But if all goes well, we should also fast as part of our ministry and service to God.

Acts 13:2, “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me, Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.” It is part of our ministry until the bridegroom comes for us. Luke 2:37. “And she was a widow of about sixty years, who did not leave the temple, but served God day and night with fasting and prayer.”

What is THAT WAY you need to fast and pray for?

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