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Prayer and Fasting in Seeking Holy Spirit Guidance

Prayer and fasting are practices frequently linked in biblical tradition, particularly when seeking divine guidance or intervention [12, 13]. The Old Testament provides examples of fasting accompanying prayer as a demonstration of need before God, such as in 1 Kings 21:9, 2 Chronicles 20:3, Nehemiah 1:4, and Daniel 9:3 [13]. Daniel, for instance, "set [his] face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes" [1].

Prayer itself is a commanded act, to be offered to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, often through Christ [7]. Scripture describes prayer in various ways, including bowing the knees, looking up, lifting up the soul or heart, pouring out the heart or soul, calling upon the name of the Lord, and crying to God [7]. While Scripture does not offer a theoretical explanation for the mystery of prayer's efficacy, it emphasizes its importance and the belief that God hears and answers prayers [5, 7]. Jesus taught his followers to "pray like this," providing a model of simplicity in contrast to "vain repetition" [8].

Fasting, in the biblical context, is not merely abstaining from food but is often associated with spiritual discipline and seeking God's favor. The Mosaic law appointed only one fast, on the Day of Atonement, though other periodical fasts were observed during the Babylonian captivity [6]. Public fasts were proclaimed for national humiliation and to supplicate divine favor, particularly in times of danger [6]. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that fasting should be directed toward God, not for display, and is for the chastening and humbling of the soul [3]. It was observed during times of God's judgments, public calamities, afflictions of the Church or others, private afflictions, and approaching danger [3]. Notably, fasting also accompanied the ordination of ministers [3].

The connection between prayer and fasting is evident in various biblical accounts. Ezra 8:23 describes a situation where people "fasted . . . prayed" [13]. Joel called for a time of fasting and a solemn meeting specifically "for the purpose of seeking God" [11]. This combination is seen as a means to express earnestness and dependence on God.

Jesus himself connected watching and praying with avoiding temptation, stating, "Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" [4]. This highlights the role of prayer in strengthening one's spiritual resolve against the weaknesses of the flesh [2].

True fasting, according to Isaiah 58:6-7, involves more than just physical abstinence; it creates an awareness of injustice and oppression, prompting action to help the needy [14]. This suggests that fasting, when properly understood, is not an end in itself but a means to cultivate a heart attuned to God's will and compassionate toward others. The practice had been abused before Jesus' time, as noted in Isaiah 58:3-12 [12].

The New Testament continues to emphasize prayer, with Paul frequently concluding his letters with prayers for the recipients, such as "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit" [9]. He also prayed for the "Lord of peace" to grant peace "always by all means" [10]. These prayers underscore the ongoing need for divine presence and peace in the lives of believers.

Sources

  1. Daniel “I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. -- Daniel 9:3”
  2. Matthew “Matthew 26:41 (Rotherham) — Be watching and praying, that ye may not enter into temptation: The spirit, indeed, is, eager, but, the flesh, weak.”
  3. 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”
  4. Mark “Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -- Mark 14:38”
  5. 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 ”
  6. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Fasts — + One fast only was appointed by the Mosaic law, that on the day of atonement. There is no mention of any other periodical fast in the Old Testament except in (Zechariah 7:1-7; 8:19) From these passages it appears that the Jews, during their captivity, observed four annual fasts,--in the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months. + Public fasts were occasionally proclaimed to express national humiliation and to supplicate divine favor. In the case of public danger the proclamation appears to have been accompanied with the blowing of trumpets. (Joel 2:1-15) (See ”
  7. 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”
  8. 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).”
  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”
  10. 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”
  11. 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.”
  12. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:16: 6:16 Prayer and fasting are frequently connected (Lev 23:27-32; Neh 9:1-2; Zech 7:3-5; 8:19; Luke 18:12). The practice had been abused before Jesus’ time (Isa 58:3-12).”
  13. 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).”
  14. 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).”
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