Do you think fasting Is required of Christians today ?

Question

Can you give me scripture In the New Testament that proves this?

If Jesus had to do It so do we. It's clearly written In the New Testament.

Answer 1

I don't think it is required,but if you want your prayers to have power you have to be clean of sin. This helps focus attention on God and your prayers.
Keeping the body clean inside and out.

Answer 2

I believe fasting is to only be done when God leads you to do it. I don’t think we should be required by our church to do it on certain days for a certain amount of time, and denied certain types of food during those days. You find more of those types of rules in the Orthodox Churches, but the Orthodox religion is a lot like the Pharisees you read about in the Old Testament, who are the very ones that Jesus spoke against, because of all their rules and rituals. †

Answer 3

You might find this interesting if you have a mind to slog through it.

Christ did go into the desert for 40 days, and He said: "Take up your cross and follow me..."

There is no direct scripture to support a requirement. I think lots of people put two and two together here, but otherwise, not a requirement, an obligation. I think it all began at Passover when the Jews had to eat a frugal meal.

Answer 4

Matt 6:16-18
2 Cor 6:1-5
Matt 17:14-23

Fasting and Prayer together (is definately needed).Best to start small like a meal.When you are ready try a full day.Fasting is tough (the flesh will hate it).Be careful people will offer to buy you a meal or give you something good to eat while you are fasting.Pray for strenghth.Pray and read the bible and you will learn the value of fasting.
I am talking of course to true christians.

Answer 5

You fast as you are led by the Holy Spirit to do so but in Isaiah 58:6 the Lord asks: Is 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?

Remember the parable that the Lord told his disciples about the Pharisee and the Publican. The Lord condemned the Pharisee who boasted that he fasted twice a week but he praised the Publican who prayed for mercy. The Lord said that the Publican was justified rather than the Pharisee.

In Matthew 6:16 Jesus exhorted His disciples not to be like the hypocrites who declare the fact that they are fasting by their mournful expressions. They are just acting. There is no sincerity. When we fast we should not appear to men to be fasting but to our Father in secret. (Matthew 6:18).

So, to answer your question, it is good to fast but let's not go trumpeting that fact.

Answer 6

I would need to check. I believe Paul did often.
Mt 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Ac 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Ac 27:33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing

I see that this did go on. It usually goes with praying. By seeking the Lord more often, giving up something we like to do, like eat, He honors that. I believe it makes us better able to hear His answer.

Answer 7

Granted I'm cheating, I did some research, and came across this site: http://www.trustbible.com/fasting.htm, which lists where fasting is mentioned - skip forward to the NT references (not going to fill your page with them).

In Matthew 6:16, he points out that Jesus talks about fasting as an expected action. "And when you fast..."

Unlike the Jews in the OT, who lived by the Laws, Christians do not HAVE to do certain actions, works should be born out of faith in Christ, not the other way round. I think that fasting can be a positive thing, but it is not a requirement as such. If it was a requirement then it would be like trying to earn our salvation, which as Christians we don't need to do, if we trust that Jesus died to save us.

If you think that fasting would be beneficial to you, and would help you grow in faith spiritually then it is good to do. Jesus fasted, so following in his actions would be to do the same thing.

I personally have never fasted, but have respect for anyone who does.

Answer 8

Paul encouraged us to fast. But there are some things we must remember and take into account.

First pray about fasting, and what you are fasting about.

1)Don't fast for Jesus, if you are doing it to loose wait.
2)When you fast, you must minister, to the Lord. Spend time with him.
3)There are different kinds of fast. You can miss lunch, and spend the time in prayer, and just communion with God
4)You can go on a three day fast, with just water, but you must know that your health can take it.
5)Diabetics should not fast. They could cut out one or two of their favourite things they like to eat.
6) Fasting should be done on a day, when you actually have time to spend with the Lord.
7)The old and elderly, should be careful with fasting, unless they are used to it, and they know it won't affect their health.

Answer 9

Many have already given you scriptures, and some are great. Yes, the Lord will require some fasting . And, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us when we are to do this too. And we do it with the knowledge that some cannot give up food, due to health issues,etc. Fasting is not always about just giving up food. Sometimes, fasting is about giving up something you think you love, as in tv, reading books , music, etc. Giving up whatever is holding you back from being right whereyou are to be with God. and the Holy Spirit will give us that, IF we will only desire to hear and obey.
We arent to brag about fasting, or do it with a poor attitude. To fast is a sacrifice for God, but it is to put us in a higher place with God to receive better from the HOly Spirit who is our guide. Its nothing we brag about or even pat yourselves on the back about. It is a joy to sacrifice for the Lord. He sacrificed for us, and I count it all as joy the things I give to the Lord in obedience to His HOly Word. Revelation comes when you have that attitude, knowing it is about GOd, and not about us, except for us to be in a place to receive what HE is trying to send to us. Hallelujah. Yes, it will be required of us, and some more than others. Just do what the Holy Spirit guides you to do, and be sure it is the Holy Spirit. All things that come must line up with the full word of God, line upon line, precept upon precent, for FULL TRUTH. God bless ya for the question.

Answer 10

Fasting is good for the mind, body and spirit. It gets rid of toxins, both physical and spiritual, and clears up our thoughts. I never fast unless I'm led by the Lord to do so.