122. Ought Christians to fast?

Ought Christians to fast?

Yes, Christians ought to do anything in their power that will bring blessing to themselves or others, and beyond a question fasting brings blessing in many instances to the one who fasts and in many instances to others.

It is sometimes said that fasting belonged to the Jewish religion but not to the Christian, but this contradicts the plain teaching of the Bible. In Acts 13:2 we are told that it was while they “ministered to the Lord and fasted” that the Holy Spirit spoke to the leaders of the church in Antioch. In the third verse we are told that it was after they had “fasted and prayed” that they laid their hands on Saul and Barnabas, and sent them away. In Acts 14:23 we are told that at the ordination of elders they “prayed, with fasting. “ There is no virtue in one’s going without his necessary food, but there is power in that sense of our own unworthiness that leads us to humble ourselves before God by fasting, and in that downright earnestness in seeking the face of God that leads one away even from his necessary food that he may give himself up to prayer.

If there were more fasting and prayer and less feasting and frolic in the church of Jesus Christ today, we would see more revivals and more wonderful things wrought for God.