Topical Encyclopedia Fasting, a spiritual discipline involving abstention from food and sometimes drink, is a practice deeply rooted in biblical tradition. It is often observed during times of public calamity as a means of seeking divine intervention, expressing repentance, and demonstrating humility before God. The Bible provides numerous instances where fasting is employed by individuals and communities facing dire circumstances.Biblical Instances of Fasting During Calamities 1. National Crises and Warfare: In the Old Testament, fasting is frequently associated with national crises, particularly during times of war or impending disaster. One notable example is found in the Book of Joel, where the prophet calls for a sacred assembly and a fast in response to a devastating locust plague and drought. Joel 1:14 states, "Consecrate a fast, proclaim a sacred assembly; gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD." 2. Repentance and Seeking Deliverance: The people of Nineveh, upon hearing Jonah's prophecy of impending destruction, proclaimed a fast and donned sackcloth as a sign of repentance. Jonah 3:5 records, "And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least." This act of collective humility and repentance led to God's mercy and the city's deliverance. 3. Mourning and Lamentation: Fasting is also observed as an expression of mourning and lamentation during times of great sorrow. In the Book of Esther, when the Jewish people faced extermination due to Haman's plot, Esther called for a fast. Esther 4:16 recounts her words, "Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens will fast as you do." 4. Seeking Guidance and Protection: King Jehoshaphat of Judah proclaimed a fast throughout the land when faced with a formidable enemy alliance. The people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD's help. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 describes, "Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek Him." Theological Significance Fasting during public calamities serves as a powerful expression of faith and dependence on God. It is an acknowledgment of human frailty and the need for divine intervention. Through fasting, believers humble themselves, seeking God's mercy, guidance, and deliverance. This practice underscores the biblical principle that God responds to the earnest prayers and repentance of His people, often turning calamity into blessing. Practical Application In contemporary Christian practice, fasting remains a vital spiritual discipline, especially during times of crisis. Churches and communities may call for collective fasting and prayer in response to natural disasters, societal upheaval, or other significant challenges. This communal act of devotion fosters unity, encourages spiritual reflection, and aligns the hearts of believers with God's will, seeking His intervention and grace in times of need. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 1:12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. Nave's Topical Index Library Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance. This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ... Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ... Confessio Augustana. Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ... Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea Memoir of John Bunyan Resources What is the meaning of the parables of fasting at the wedding feast, the old cloth, and the wineskins? | GotQuestions.orgWhy don't Christians fast the same as Muslims? | GotQuestions.org How to fast'what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org Fasting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Fasting by Paul, at the Time of his Conversion Fasting for the Chastening of the Soul Fasting for the Humbling of the Soul Fasting in Babylon, With Prayer for Divine Deliverance and Guidance Fasting in Prayer for Himself and his Adversaries Fasting in Times of Bereavement of Abner's Death Fasting in Times of Bereavement of David, at the Time of Saul's Death Fasting in Times of Bereavement of the People of Jabesh-Gilead, for Saul and his Sons Fasting of Ahab, when Elijah Prophesied the Destruction of Himself and his House Fasting of Darius, when he Put Daniel in the Lions' Den Fasting of Ezra, on Account of the Idolatrous Marriages of the Jews Fasting of Hypocrites: Boasted of, Before God Fasting of Hypocrites: Described Fasting of Hypocrites: Ostentatious Fasting of Hypocrites: Rejected Fasting of Nehemiah, on Account of the Desolation of Jerusalem and the Temple Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Anna Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Apostles Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Christians Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Cornelius Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Daniel Fasting of Saints Exemplified: David Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Disciples of John Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Esther Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Nehemiah Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Paul Fasting of the Consecration of the Elders Fasting of the Disciples, at the Time of the Consecration of Barnabas and Saul Fasting of the Jews, when Jeremiah Prophesied Against Judea and Jerusalem Fasting of the Wicked: Elders of Jezreel Fasting of the Wicked: Pharisees Fasting: Accompanied by Confession of Sin Fasting: Accompanied by Humiliation Fasting: Accompanied by Mourning Fasting: Accompanied by Prayer Fasting: At the Time of his Vision Fasting: During Forty Days: Jesus Fasting: During Forty Days: Moses Fasting: During the Sickness of the Child Born to Him by Bath-Sheba Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Elijah Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Moses Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Our Lord Fasting: Fasting in the Conflict Between the Other Tribes With the Tribe of Benjamin Fasting: Habitual by Cornelius Fasting: Habitual by John's Disciples Fasting: Habitual by Pharisees Fasting: National Exemplified: Israel Fasting: National Exemplified: Men of Jabesh-Gilead Fasting: National Exemplified: Ninevites Fasting: Ninevites, when Jonah Preached to Them Fasting: Not to be Made a Subject of Display Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Afflictions of Others Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Afflictions of the Church Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Approaching Danger Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Judgments of God Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Ordination of Ministers Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Private Afflictions Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Public Calamities Fasting: On Account of the Captivity of the People, With Prayer for Their Deliverance Fasting: Ordination of Ministers Fasting: Prolonged for Forty Days, by Moses Fasting: Prolonged for Three Weeks, by Daniel Fasting: Promises Connected With Fasting: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Fasting: Upon the Death of Saul Fasting: when They Went to Mizpeh for the Ark of the Covenant Fasting: While Interceding in Prayer for his Friends Related Terms |
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