Often in the Bible, God's people fasted immediately before a major victory,
miracle, or answer to prayer. It prepared them for a blessing!
• Moses fasted before he received the Ten Commandments.
"Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or
drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant--the Ten
Commandments."--Exodus 34:28 (NIV)
• The Israelites fasted before a miraculous victory.
"Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from
Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En
Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast
for all Judah."--2 Chronicles 20:2-3 (NIV)
• Daniel fasted in order to receive guidance from God.
"So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting,
and in sackcloth and ashes." Daniel 9:3 (NIV)
"While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to
me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said
to me, 'Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.'"--Daniel 9:21-22 (NIV)
• Nehemiah fasted before beginning a major building project.
"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and
fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."--Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)
• Jesus fasted during His victory over temptation.
"For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing
during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry."--Luke 4:2 (Msg)
• The first Christians fasted during-decision making times.
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for
me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had
fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."--Acts 13:2-3 (NIV)
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