Biblical roots of Ashes and Fasting Biblical roots

Biblical roots of Ashes and Fasting

Biblical roots of Ashes and Fasting David – fasted in sackcloth and ashes when his son was dying Jeremiah 6: 26 – “O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, roll in the ashes. ” Daniel 9: 3 “I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. ”

Biblical roots of Ashes and Fasting Matthew 11: 20, 21 Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Biblical roots of Ashes and Fasting

Is fasting commanded in Scripture? Is it expected of us? There is no biblical command to fast. Jesus expected his followers to fast – Matt. 6: 16 – “When you fast…” Matt. 9: 14, 15 – “…then they will fast. ” Acts 13: 2, 3 – “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting…”

Why fast? 1. To demonstrate true repentance. Jonah 3: 6 -10

Why fast? 2. Fasting reveals the things that control us.

Why fast? 3. To identify with the poor and needy

Why fast? 4. Fasting demonstrates earnestness in prayer

Why fast? 5. Fasting is a pathway to the release of spiritual power

Why fast? 6. Fasting reminds us that we are dependent on God.

How to fast? Matt. 6: 16: “When you fast, don’t look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they’re fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ” Matt. 6: 17 “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it won’t be obvious to men that you’re fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ”

What’s the reward for fasting prayer?

Negative and Positive Fasting True fasting isn’t just dieting; there’s a positive focus We can fast from negative thoughts and feast on positive truth – Steve Backlund

Isaiah 58 (NLT) Tell my people Israel of their sins! 2 Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. 3 ‘We’ve fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We’ve been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’

Isaiah 58 (NLT) “I’ll tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you’re fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. 4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarrelling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. 5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?

Isaiah 58 (NLT) 6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and don’t hide from relatives who need your help. 8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I’m here, ’ he’ll quickly reply.

Isaiah 58 (NLT) “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumours! 10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. 11 The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

What’s the reward for fasting prayer? God promises salvation, healing, protection, answer to prayers, guidance, refreshment and fruitfulness when we fast and pray as He desires.

Conclusion John Wesley: “Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it. ”