Is it possible for one to fast and pray for...
First. I know that this post is too long and I do not expect many to read it all. But my prayer is that it encourages some to this wonderful means of grace. Especially in the days we live in. I hope this continues a profitable discussion.
Fasting is a powerful means of grace that I believe is neglected and misunderstood for the most part in these modern times. I am no exception in this neglect.
Jesus assumes that his children WILL fast. Matthew 6:16-18 "when ye fast"
The Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter XXI
Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day - Section V "solemn fastings"
Joel 2:12 "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
Some questions and answers on fasting from Fisher's Catechism:
Q. 35. What are the external means by, or in which, we are to seek
after the enjoyment of God?
A. In all the ordinances of his worship, public, private and secret;
such as the word read and heard, the sacraments, prayer, meditation,
fasting, thanksgiving, and the like.
Q. 15. What is incumbent on believers for recovering the
assurance of God’s love when they have lost the present sense of it?
A. To be humbled for sin, as the procuring cause of the Lord’s
departure, Psalm 40:12; to justify God, and to condemn themselves,
Dan. 9:7, 8; and to wait in the exercise of prayer and fasting, for the
returns of his love, Isaiah 8:17.
Q. 22. What is religious fasting?
A. “A religious fast requires total abstinence, not only from all
food, (unless bodily weakness do manifestly disable from holding out,
till the fast be ended,) but also from all worldly labour, discourses,
and thoughts, and from all bodily delights.” Josh. 7:6; Judges 20:26.
Q. 23. Is bodily fasting, or bare abstinence from food, any part of
religious worship?
A. Not properly in itself; but as it is a mean of divine appointment,
for fitting and disposing us for more spiritual and solemn exercises.
Q. 24. How does fasting appear to be a mean of divine
appointment?
A. From the practice of the saints under the Old Testament, Esther 4:16;
Dan. 10:2, 3; from the testimony of Christ, Matt. 6:17, 18, and
Matt. 17:21; and the example of his apostles under the New, Acts 13:3; and
Acts 14:23.
Q. 25. What are those spiritual and solemn exercises for which
fasting is designed to dispose us?
A. Deep humiliation of soul before the Lord on account of sin,
Ezra 9:6; free confession of it, Dan. 9:20, and turning from it,
Joel 2:12, as the genuine fruits of our taking hold of God’s covenant,
Jer. 50:4, 5; together with an importunate requesting of our gracious God,
for that which is the particular occasion of the fast, Psalm 35:13.
Q. 26. Is religious fasting an occasional or a stated duty?
A. It is merely occasional and extraordinary, to be observed as the
call of Providence may require and direct.
See Isaiah 58 - The whole chapter is good
Excerpt from The Westminster Confession of Faith - The Directory of the Publick Worship of God
Concerning Public solemn Fasting
WHEN some great and notable judgments are either inflicted upon a people, or apparently imminent, or by some extraordinary provocations notoriously deserved; as also when some special blessing is to be sought and obtained, public solemn fasting (which is to continue the whole day) is a duty that God expecteth from that nation or people.
A religious fast requires total abstinence, not only from all food, (unless bodily weakness do manifestly disable from holding out till the fast be ended, in which case somewhat may be taken, yet very sparingly, to support nature, when ready to faint,) but also from all worldly labour, discourses, and thoughts, and from all bodily delights, and such like, (although at other times lawful,) rich apparel, ornaments, and such like, during the fast; and much more from whatever is in the nature or use scandalous and offensive, as gaudish attire, lascivious habits and gestures, and other vanities of either sex; which we recommend to all ministers, in their places, diligently and zealously to reprove, as at other times, so especially at a fast, without respect of persons, as there shall be occasion.
Before the public meeting, each family and person apart are privately to use all religious care to prepare their hearts to such a solemn work, and to be early at the congregation.
So large a portion of the day as conveniently may be, is to be spent in public reading and preaching of the word, with singing of psalms, fit to quicken affections suitable to such a duty: but especially in prayer, to this or the like effect: “Giving glory to the great Majesty of God, the Creator, Preserver, and supreme Ruler of all the world, the better to affect us thereby with a holy reverence and awe of him; acknowledging his manifold, great, and tender mercies, especially to the church and nation, the more effectually to soften and abase our hearts before him; humbly confessing of sins of all sorts, with their several aggravations; justifying God’s righteous judgments, as being far less than our sins do deserve; yet humbly and earnestly imploring his mercy and grace for ourselves, the church and nation, for our king, and all in authority, and for all others for whom we are bound to pray, (according as the present exigent requireth,) with more special importunity and enlargement than at other times; applying by faith the promises and goodness of God for pardon, help, and deliverance from the evils felt, feared, or deserved; and for obtaining the blessings which we need and expect; together with a giving up of ourselves wholly and for ever unto the Lord.”
Westminster Assembly. (1851). The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition (pp. 498–499). Philadelphia: William S. Young.
The section goes on for another page or so.
I do not remember ever being called on by any Church to a similar day of fasting.
I highly recommend fasting for the above and other reasons, though I readily admit that I have been remiss myself of the means of grace. We certainly live in times that warrant fasting, public and private.
