Prayer and fasting are both mentioned as powerful tools that God has given us to assist us through life’s journey.
Many of us have prayed for something that we need from God. But not many of us have prayed for something that we knew the only way to get resolved was through God alone. Fasting is not a commandment, but Jesus does imply that we will fast in Matthew 6:16. There may be several reasons to pray and fast, but I personally believe that when you are burdened with something that is on your heart that it is almost a natural response to fast and pray. For example, when we realize that our family member has walked away from God, it should burden us so much that we only desire for God to intervene and change their heart. We realize that there truly is a place called Hell and people that are disobedient to God will go there. It is such a reality that we fast and pray until God shows us a miracle.
We also need to come to a point where we cast these cares onto Christ and trust that He is faithful and will handle it. We cannot be burdened everyday or it will become more than we can handle ourselves. Trust God with our concerns.
Matthew 6:6
But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:16-18
“Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Judges 20:26
Remained there before the Lord , and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord .
Mark 14:34-42
And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began praying that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will. ” And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Keep watching and praying, so that you will not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to say in reply to Him. And He *came the third time, and *said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough. The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!”
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