Prayer and Fasting as Means of Seeking Guidance
Prayer is understood as direct communication with God, an "intercourse of the soul with God" that can be oral or mental, constant or occasional [3]. It involves "beseeching the Lord," "pouring out the soul before the Lord," and "drawing near to God" [3]. Scripture commands prayer, instructing believers to pray to God, through Christ, and even to the Holy Spirit [5]. The Bible describes various postures and expressions of prayer, such as bowing the knees, looking up, lifting up the soul or heart, and crying to God [5]. Prayer presupposes a belief in God's personality and his willingness to engage with humanity [3]. While the Bible does not offer a theoretical explanation for prayer's efficacy, it consistently presents prayer as a means through which God hears and answers [4, 5].
Fasting, often accompanied by prayer, is presented in Scripture as a demonstration of need before God and a means of seeking divine guidance [12]. The prophet Daniel, for instance, sought God "by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes" [1]. Fasting is also associated with humbling and chastening the soul [6]. It was observed during times of God's judgments, public calamities, afflictions of the Church or others, private afflictions, and approaching danger [6]. The practice was also part of the ordination of ministers [6].
The combination of prayer and fasting is particularly emphasized in seeking guidance and addressing difficult spiritual situations. Jesus himself indicated the power of prayer and fasting in Matthew 17:21 (KJV), stating, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" [2]. This suggests that certain spiritual challenges require an intensified form of seeking God. True fasting, according to Isaiah 58:6-7, involves self-deprivation to focus on God and leads to an awareness of injustice, prompting action to help the needy [13, 15]. Joel called for fasting and a solemn assembly to seek God [14].
The New Testament further illustrates the practice of prayer. Jesus provided his followers with a model of prayer, often called "The Lord's Prayer," which is a succinct expression of faith and a contrast to the "vain repetition of pagan prayers" [7]. This prayer emphasizes addressing God as Father and seeking the hallowing of his name [7]. Paul frequently concluded his letters with prayers and blessings, often invoking the Lord Jesus' presence with his people [9, 10, 11]. Believers are encouraged to "call on the Lord with pure hearts" [8].
Sources
- Daniel “I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. -- Daniel 9:3”
- King James Version “[KJV] Matthew 17:21 — Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fasting — Spirit of, explained -- Isa 58:6,7. Not to be made a subject of display -- Mt 6:16-18. Should be to God -- Zec 7:5; Mt 6:18. For the chastening of the soul -- Ps 69:10. For the humbling of the soul -- Ps 35:13. Observed on occasions of Judgments of God. -- Joe 1:14; 2:12. Public calamities. -- 2Sa 1:12. Afflictions of the Church. -- Lu 5:33-35. Afflictions of others. -- Ps 35:13; Da 6:18. Private afflictions. -- 2Sa 12:16. Approaching danger. -- Es 4:16. Ordination of ministers. -- Ac 13:3; 14:23. Accompanied by Prayer. -- Ezr 8:23; Da 9:3. Confession of si”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 2:22: 2:22 those who call on the Lord: Cp. Ps 99:6; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:14, 21; 22:16; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2. • with pure hearts: Cp. 1 Tim 1:5.”
- 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: 3:16 The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 (cp. Num 6:26) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10; 1 Thes 2:14). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9).”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 4:23: (Gal 6:18). be with you all. Amen--The oldest manuscripts read, "Be with your spirit," and omit "Amen." Next: Colossians Introduction”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
- Ezra (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezra 8:23: 8:23 fasted . . . prayed: In the Old Testament, fasting often accompanied prayer as a demonstration of need before God (1 Kgs 21:9; 2 Chr 20:3; Neh 1:4; Dan 9:3).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 58:6: 58:6-7 True fasting creates an awareness of injustice and oppression and prompts the practitioner to reach out to help the needy in their struggles (see 42:7; Matt 25:35-36; Jas 1:27).”
- Joel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joel 2:15: 2:15 Joel called for a time of fasting and a solemn meeting for the purpose of seeking God.”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 58:3: 58:3 Fasting should be a time of self-deprivation in order to focus on God and pleasing him (Lev 16:29; see Zech 7:5). However, these people were only interested in pleasing themselves and continuing in their sins.”