Fasting According to the Bible

Biblical Fasting is not governed by laws regarding when, how, and where to fast. There are no laws in the New Testament regarding what a person can eat or not eat during fasting, what a person can wear or not wear during fasting, or when a person should start or break his fast. Also, the New Testament does not command fasting as a compulsory religious act. However, the New Testament does recommend fasting in various ways.

The Importance of Fasting in the New Testament

Jesus Himself Fasted. In Matthew 4:2, we are told that Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights when, after His baptism, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Jesus Expected His Disciples to Fast. In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, “When you fast…” He didn’t say, “If you fast…” but, “When” which indicates that He did expect His disciples to fast. He also declared to the Jews that when He is taken away, His disciples would fast (Matt.9:15).
Jesus Declared the Importance of Fasting in the Ministry of Deliverance. In Matthew 17:21, Jesus mentioned in connection with casting out demons that a certain kind don’t leave except through prayer and fasting. Of course, this verse is missing in some manuscripts and modern versions such as the NIV skip it. Nevertheless, the very fact that Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights during His temptation by the devil does confirm the importance of fasting in the spiritual empowerment of Christian. It is worth noting, though, that the word “fasting” is missing from phrases where prayer is mentioned in these manuscripts that the NIV and others think to be authentic (Mark 9:29; 1Cor.7:5).
The Early Church Ministered to the Lord through Fasting and Prayer (Acts 13:2)
The Church Fasted and Prayed Before Sending the Apostles into the Missionary Journey (Acts 13:3).
The Apostles Fasted and Prayed When Appointing Elders in the Churches (Acts 14:23).
Paul Expected Christians to Devote Themselves Time to Fasting and Prayer (1Cor.7:5)

Fasting in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament,

Fasting was often an expression of sorrow over sin (1Sam.7:6)
Fasting was also often an expression of sorrowful mourning (1Sam.31:13; 2Sam.1:12)
Fasting was a way of refraining from any bodily pleasure in order to express extreme sorrow over a situation and one’s serious submission to God (Esther 4:16)
Fasting was usually a way of humbling self to petition and pray to God for help (2Sam.12:6; Ezr.8:23; Neh.1:4; Psa.35:13)
Sometimes a Holy Fast was declared to gather people to cry out to God in intercession (Joel 1:14)

Fasting in the New Testament

In the New Testament,

Fasting is always accompanied with prayer (Matt.17:21; Mark 9:29; Luke 2:37; 1Cor.7:5; Acts 13:2; 14:23)
Fasting is done in order to seek God’s will in prayer (Acts 13:3; 14:23)
Fasting is an act of worshiping and ministering unto God (Acts 13:2)

Divinely Acceptable Fasting Involves

Love to God and One’s Neighbor (Isaiah 58:3-11)
Genuineness; Not, Hypocrisy (Matt.6:16-18)
Humility; Not, Pride (Luke 18:12-14)
Concern for Others (1Cor.7:5; Isaiah 58:6)

Story of the Song Stuti Aradhana Upar Jati Hei

In 1995, while waiting alone in a van for his colleagues who had gone shopping, Wilson Burhankar, presently Senior Associate Pastor at the Fellowship Church of Itarsi, fell into ecstasy remembering the awesome goodness of God in his life. It was his first year in the Seminary as a teacher and his first year as a full-time Worship Leader at the Itarsi Church. He remembered the ill-battered lifestyle that he had lived prior to knowing Christ, the drunken boozes, the street fights, the nights spent singing at religious gatherings, and the continual stress and pain inflicted on his family because of his sin-laden lifestyle. But, one day the Lord changed his life all over. He came to the Seminary and underwent three years of theological training. The greatest surprise came when Dr. Thomas asked him to consider to stay back and minister here as a worship leader. Inside he felt totally unworthy, and yet was confident of the grace of the Lord. As he sat in the van considering these things, the...

Ibadat Karo by Anil & Reena Kant (Lyrics and Translation)

IBADAT KARO – ANIL & REENA KANT CHORUS: Hei duniya ke logon oonchi aawaj karon O people of the world, lift up your voice Gawon khushi key geet And sing the songs of joy Uska gungaan karo Declare praises of Him Ibadat karo uski Ibadat karo (x2) Worship Him, Worship… (Repeat Chorus) 1. Yaad karo ki vahi ek Khuda hein Remember that He alone is God Hum ko ye jeevan useene diya hein It is He who has given us this life Us charagah se hum sab hein aaye We all have come from that (spring) Humd o sana ke hum geet gaaye Let’s sing the song of His praise Rab ka tum shukar karo Give thanks to the Lord Oonchi aawaj karo Lift up your voice Gawon khushi key geet And sing the songs of joy Uska gungaan karo Declare praises of Him Ibadat karo uski Ibadat karo (x2) Worship Him, Worship… 2. Naamey Khudawand kitna mubaarak How blessed is the Name of the Lord! Mera Khudawand kitna bhala hein My God, How good is He! Rehmat hei uski sadiyon purani His compassion is from ageless past Wafa ka azar se yahi s...

Origin of the Poem "When God Wants To Drill A Man"

The poem as quoted in Oswald J. Sander's (not to be confused with Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)) Spiritual Leadership (1967) credits it to an "Author Unknown". The poem as he quotes it is as follows: When God wants to drill a man And thrill a man And skill a man, When God wants to mold a man To play the noblest part; When He yearns with all His heart To create so great and bold a man That all the world shall be amazed, Watch His methods, watch His ways! How He ruthlessly perfects Whom He royally elects! How He hammers him and hurts him, And with mighty blows converts him Into trial shapes of clay which Only God understands; While his tortured heart is crying And he lifts beseeching hands! How He bends but never breaks When his good He undertakes; How He uses whom He chooses And with every purpose fuses him; By ev...

Domenic Marbaniang

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