INTRODUCTION

Fasting, similar to other actions in life, has specific purposes and appointed times. The Bible offers various reasons why people might fast: an immediate need in prayer (2 Samuel 12:16David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
See All...), a need to loosen the bands of wickedness or undo heavy burdens (Isaiah 58:6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
See All...), during times of elevated conflict or duty in service (Matthew 17:21Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
See All...; Acts 13:3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
See All...), as a symbol of mourning (2 Samuel 1:12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
See All...), and as an outward manifestation of true repentance (Jonah 3:5So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
See All...). This list is not exhaustive, but simply demonstrates that God’s people have many good reasons for fasting. Even if none of these circumstances surfaces in our lives, we should fast because we know that the Lord expects us to do so.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Notice these many examples of real people who fasted for certain reasons. Hannah prayed and fasted for God to give her a son. (Note the wording in 1 Samuel 1:8-10 [8] Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? [9] So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. [10] And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
  See All..., 18.) Jehoshaphat and all Judah fasted and prayed when afraid of a powerful enemy (2 Chronicles 20:1-4 [1] It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. [2] Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. [3] And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. [4] And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
  See All...). David fasted for sick people (Psalm 35:13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
  See All...).
• (For everyone):  What are some reasons why you might fast? Do you have some particular sin that constantly troubles you? Do you have an immediate need in prayer? If so, are you willing to fast?
• Fasting is a very real way to deny our flesh and show the Lord how serious we are about Him and His word. In what ways could fasting increase our strength for service?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to show you reasons why you should fast.
• Ask the Lord to give you the strength to obey Him.

HYMN

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

Receive the daily devotions on your facebook wall by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/kingjamesbibledailydevotions.