Definition and Purpose:
Fasting, in the biblical context, refers to the voluntary abstention from food and sometimes drink, for a specified period, as a spiritual discipline. It is often accompanied by prayer and repentance, serving as a means to humble oneself before God, seek His guidance, and express earnest devotion. Fasting is a practice deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, with numerous references throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament Instances:
Fasting is prominently featured in the Old Testament as a response to various circumstances, including mourning, repentance, and seeking divine intervention. One of the earliest mentions is in the context of the Day of Atonement, where the Israelites were commanded to "afflict their souls" (Leviticus 16:29-31), which has traditionally been understood to include fasting.

In times of national crisis, leaders called for communal fasts. For example, in the Book of Esther, Queen Esther instructed Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Susa to fast for three days and nights before she approached King Xerxes (Esther 4:16). Similarly, the prophet Joel called for a sacred fast in response to a locust plague, urging the people to "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning" (Joel 2:12).

New Testament Teachings and Examples:
Fasting continues to hold significance in the New Testament, where it is often associated with prayer and spiritual readiness. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:2). This period of fasting was a time of preparation and spiritual fortification against temptation.

Jesus also taught about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and humility. He instructed His followers, "When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).

The early church also practiced fasting as part of their spiritual discipline. In the Book of Acts, the church in Antioch fasted and prayed before sending off Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey (Acts 13:2-3). Additionally, Paul mentions fasting as part of his own ministry experiences (2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27).

Theological Significance:
Fasting is seen as an act of worship and submission to God, reflecting a heart posture of dependence and humility. It is a means of drawing closer to God, aligning one's will with His, and seeking His presence and power. Fasting is not merely a physical act but a spiritual discipline that involves the whole person—body, soul, and spirit.

Practical Considerations:
While fasting is a deeply personal and spiritual practice, it is important to approach it with wisdom and discernment. Individuals should consider their health and circumstances, seeking guidance from Scripture and prayer. Fasting should not be undertaken as a means of earning favor with God but as an expression of devotion and a desire to grow in faith.

Conclusion:
Fasting remains a vital spiritual discipline for believers, offering a way to deepen one's relationship with God and seek His guidance and strength. Through fasting, Christians are reminded of their dependence on God and the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over physical sustenance.3521. nesteia -- fasting, a fast
... Word Origin from nesteuo Definition fasting, a fast NASB Word Usage fast (1), fasting
(2), fastings (1), hunger (1), without food (1). fasting. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3521.htm - 6k

Delight Thyself Rather in Fastings than in Feastings, Mindful of ...
... The Doubtful Letters Of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter XVIII. Delight thyself rather
in fastings than in feastings, mindful of that widow who did not? ...
/.../chapter xviii delight thyself rather.htm

How Peace of Mind Should be Sought.
... For this we must seek for solitude, for this we know that we ought to submit to
fastings, vigils, toils, bodily nakedness, reading, and all other virtues that ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vii how peace of.htm

Concerning Lowliness of Mind.
... For this, even when conjoined with righteousness and fastings and tithes, fell behind;
while that, even when yoked with sin, out-stripped the Pharisee's pair ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/concerning lowliness of mind.htm

Of the Inconsistencies of the Psychics.
... at the bidding of a man's edict, and all unitedly, how is it that in our case you
set a brand upon the very unity also of our fastings, and xerophagies, and ...
/.../chapter xiii of the inconsistencies of.htm

Special Preparation for Baptism.
... "Those who are coming to Baptism," says Tertullian, "must be constantly engaged
in prayers, fastings, kneelings, and watchings, together with confession of all ...
/.../chapter iii special preparation for baptism.htm

Decrees of Fabian.
... Taken from the Decretal of Gratian. I. That the man who refuses to be reconciled
to his brother should be reduced by the severest fastings. [2876]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/decrees of fabian.htm

Spiritual Culture.
... As you value your soul, pray, and "pray without ceasing.". Fastings. ... On occasions
where great faith was required, fastings were recommended by the Savior. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xi spiritual culture.htm

The Answer to the Effect that Bad Men Cannot Possess True ...
... that he might explain which follows what, and which gives birth to what, after some
others he proceeds as follows: "In watchings, in fastings, in chastity, in ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvi the answer to.htm

section 4
... of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes,
in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings. ... ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 4.htm

On the Fast of the Ten Month, viii.
... for, pride strives for, luxury lusts after, is overcome by the solid force of this
virtue, who can fail to understand the aid which is given us by fastings? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xix on the fast.htm

Fastings (6 Occurrences)
...Fastings (6 Occurrences). ... (DBY YLT). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments,
in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/f/fastings.htm - 8k

Nights (27 Occurrences)
... Olives; (YLT). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in
labors, in watchings, in fastings; (See NIV). 2 Corinthians ...
/n/nights.htm - 14k

Watchings (3 Occurrences)
... Watchings (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots,
in labors, in watchings, in fastings; (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT). ...
/w/watchings.htm - 7k

Fasting (34 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart
from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. ...
/f/fasting.htm - 23k

Vote (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:23 and having appointed to them by vote elders in every assembly, having
prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed ...
/v/vote.htm - 8k

Nakedness (50 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:27 in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst,
in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/n/nakedness.htm - 26k

Labors (27 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots,
in labors, in watchings, in fastings; (WEB ASV WBS NAS RSV). ...
/l/labors.htm - 14k

Lamenting (8 Occurrences)
... as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had decreed, and as they had imposed upon
themselves and their descendants, in the matter of the fastings and their cry ...
/l/lamenting.htm - 8k

Laboriousness (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 11:27 in laboriousness and painfulness, in watchings many times, in
hunger and thirst, in fastings many times, in cold and nakedness; (YLT). ...
/l/laboriousness.htm - 6k

Lamentation (45 Occurrences)
... as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had decreed, and as they had imposed upon
themselves and their descendants, in the matter of the fastings and their cry ...
/l/lamentation.htm - 21k

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