Fasting that God likes ?

[Jayaraj.E]

 Dear Friends,  what kind of fasting that God wants us? And what does Bible say about fasting?

  In the Bible we can read many people observed fasting( fasting from food ). We can find them on some verses are …

  In old testament

  1. Moses fasted 40 days on behalfof Israel’s sin: Deuteronomy 9:9, 18, 25-29; 10:10.

 2  Ahab fasted and humbled himselfbefore God: 1 Kings 21:27-29

 3  Esther fasted on behalf of her people: Esther 4:13-16.

 4  Ezra fasted and wept for thesins of the returning remnant: Ezra  10:6-17

   In New Testament  

 1  the elders in Antioch fasted before sending off Paul and     Barnabas: Acts 13:1-5.

  2  Cornelius fasted and sought God’s plan of salvation: Acts 10:30.

  3  Paul asted three day fast after his Damascus Road encounter: Acts 9:9.

  4  Paul fasted 14 days while at seaon a sinking ship: Acts 27:33-34. And many more…

    But, I think and believe Scriptures does not command Christians to fast. God does not require or demand it of Christians.

    Fasting that God likes most is  .(.Isaiah 58 : 6 ,7 .)

          6. Is this not the fast which I choose,
             To loosen the bonds ofwickedness,
             To undo the bands of theyoke,
             And to let the oppressedgo free
             And break every yoke?

          7 “Is it not to divide your breadwith the hungry
             When you see the naked,to cover him;
            And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

          8.  Then your light will break out like the dawn,
             And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
            And your righteousness will go before you;
            The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard

      please share your opinions and comments on what kind of fasting that God wants Christians now  ? ?

  which will helps us to know more about this subject .

     Jayaraj, India

 

[James Nored]

Jayaraj, fasting is something that is rather foreign to American culture, though in recent years people like Richard Foster and other spiritual formation voices have highlighted the value of fasting. Fasting is a biblical concept found, as you show above, in both the old and new testaments.

 

The value of fasting seems to me to be two fold. First, it is almost always linked to prayer in Scripture. The idea seems to be that each time we feel hungry in a fast, we should take this opportunity to pray. Second, the self-discipline of fasting gets us used to being able to say no to ourselves, which can help us in other areas of our lives.

 

How much is fasting a part of Indian culture?