What role does fasting play in deepening our relationship with God, as seen here? Setting the Scene Daniel 10:12: “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” Daniel’s three-week fast (10:2-3) created the context for this angelic visitation. His abstaining from “pleasant bread” was not a ritual; it was an earnest, bodily expression of humility and longing for understanding. What Fasting Communicates to God • Humility – “you humbled yourself before your God” (Daniel 10:12; cf. Ezra 8:21). • Serious pursuit of insight – “you purposed to understand.” • Whole-hearted prayer – fasting and prayer rise together (Acts 13:2-3). • Readiness for divine intervention – God dispatched an angel “in response.” Fasting Deepens Relationship by… • Stripping away distractions, sharpening spiritual hearing (Matthew 4:2). • Aligning the heart with God’s will (Isaiah 58:6-9). • Amplifying intercession so heaven moves (Esther 4:16; Jonah 3:5). • Training the body to serve the spirit, not rule it (1 Corinthians 9:27). • Inviting fresh filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2-3). Patterns Across Scripture • Moses fasted forty days and received the Law (Exodus 34:28). • Jesus fasted forty days and launched His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-2). • Early church leaders fasted and gained clear guidance (Acts 13:2-3). • Nations fasted in crisis and saw mercy (2 Chronicles 20:3-4; Jonah 3:10). Practical Ways to Engage in Biblical Fasting • Begin with purpose: seek understanding, breakthrough, or deeper communion. • Combine fasting with extended Scripture reading and prayer. • Choose a form (full, partial, or Daniel-style) and a time period led by the Spirit. • Keep a humble posture—fasting without pride or performance (Matthew 6:16-18). • Expect God to speak; journal insights and prompt obedience. |
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