In the message today I mentioned twelve reasons that people in the Bible participated in fasts. I wanted to post them on the blog in case you missed them, and so you could look up the Scripture texts.
Biblical reasons people fast:
- To enhance depth in our prayers – Daniel 9:3
- For self-denial and humility when seeking God – Joel 1:13-14
- To return to the Lord – Joel 2:12-13
- As an appropriate response to our forgiveness – Leviticus 16:29
- To pray for the poor and give to the poor – Isaiah 58:6-8
- In response to death, suffering, and disaster – 2 Samuel 1:12
- To seek God in impending danger – Esther 4:16
- To seek God’s protection – Ezra 8:21-23
- To find and set forth leaders – Acts 14:23
- To seek God’s direction and will – Acts 13:1-4
- To create a deep hunger for God and feed that hunger – Matthew 4:1-4
