How important is fasting and prayer?

[Bob]

I believe that prayer is the backbone of our relationship with Adonai.
Just think... what type of relationship would you (or I) have with someone that we never spoke to?
I see fasting as a separate issue. It is still commanded but it is separate from prayer... though they both go together.
Fasting is doing without something one values. This can be food, drink, sleep, drugs, etc...
Fasting often goes hand in hand with prayer, but is not necessary for prayer.

I see fasting as that time when a person is so intent on an action (such as prayer) that the very thought of meeting their other desires (even needs) comes second.

[Nashdude]

I think that many in today's world have a marked lack of understanding concerning the fast. It's as if they see the fast as being a way of arm-twisting God into doing what they want, when nothing could be further from the truth!

The act of fasting really has NOTHING to do with how God views you. Rather, it has to do with how YOU view GOD. Consider this passage...

Matthew 17:19-21 -- Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

When Jesus sent His disciples out, He gave them certain authority, as a sheriff might give his deputies. A deputy does indeed have the power to take action, but only insofar as the sheriff himself authorizes. They act as his representative. So in essence, they themselves are not acting, but are in fact acting in the sheriff's stead.

When the disciples came to Jesus, asking why they could not cast the demon out, they revealed something of the real problem---they were curious as to why THEY could not cast the demon out. Whether they realized it or not, I believe they saw THEMSELVES imbued with the power of God, when in reality they were not. They were only to act as deputies. They themselves never performed ANY miracles. God, rather, performed them THROUGH the disciples. It is GOD that casts the demons out, not the disciples.

The disciples couldn't do it because, for whatever reason, their faith was misplaced. They had strong enough faith, having seen and done this kind of thing for quite a while. But their faith in this case was not directed where it needed to be. Rather than focusing on GOD'S ability to do this thing, they were focused on THEIR ability to do it... and they failed. Why? Because although they were the deputies, they were but representatives. God is the one with the true authority.

This is what fasting does. It doesn't "convince" God to do anything. It is not a form of self-inflicted punishment. It is, rather, an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. It is a way of "training" yourself to depend less and less on the things of this world, and more on the things of God---to see Him as the sovereign rule in your life.

Now, starving yourself silly won't get that done. If all you're doing is denying yourself food or water or some act or action, you're only addressing half the issue. Denial is like a diet. If all you're doing is starving yourself, you will still crave the food. You have to replace that desire for food with a lifestyle change, or else you'll glut yourself when you come off the diet.

Likewise with the fast. When you fast from food, or television, or non-constructive relationships, or whatever the Lord leads you to fast from, you must---MUST---seek Him in prayer and in His Word. If you don't fill the void with something of God, that void will seek out what you're denying it.

Ultimately, fasting can be one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal, because when we see God for who He is, and who He is in respect to ourselves, we are better equipped to get self out of the way and let Him take a more active role in our lives.

[Vaneide]

Ultimately, fasting can be one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal, because when we see God for who He is, and who He is in respect to ourselves, we are better equipped to get self out of the way and let Him take a more active role in our lives.

Can also be a powerful weapon against our enemies and our own flesh.

[nasah]

Nashdude,
I really appreciate your reply here. That's truly something that needed to be said!

Shalom,
nasah