Topical Bible: Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Private Afflictions

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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 private affliction, serving as a means of humbling oneself before God, seeking His guidance, and expressing earnest prayer and repentance.

Biblical Instances of Fasting in Private Affliction

1. David's Fasting for His Child: One of the most poignant examples of fasting during personal affliction is found in the life of King David. After his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent illness of their child, David fasted and lay on the ground all night, pleading with God for the child's life. "David therefore pleaded with God for the child; he fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground" (2 Samuel 12:16). This fast was an expression of David's deep sorrow and his hope for divine intervention.

2. Hannah's Fasting in Her Barrenness: Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, experienced deep personal affliction due to her barrenness and the provocation of her rival, Peninnah. In her distress, she wept and did not eat, pouring out her soul before the Lord in prayer. "In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears" (1 Samuel 1:10). Her fasting was a manifestation of her grief and her earnest petition for a child.

3. Nehemiah's Fasting for Jerusalem: Upon hearing the distressing news about the broken walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah sat down and wept, mourning for days while fasting and praying before the God of heaven. "When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 1:4). His fast was a response to the affliction of his people and a plea for God's favor and guidance in rebuilding the city.

Purpose and Significance

Fasting during private afflictions serves several purposes:

· Humility and Repentance: Fasting is an act of humility, acknowledging one's dependence on God and expressing repentance for sin. It is a physical demonstration of a contrite heart, seeking God's mercy and forgiveness.

· Intensified Prayer: By abstaining from food, individuals can devote more time and focus to prayer, seeking God's presence and intervention in their circumstances. Fasting is often accompanied by fervent prayer, as seen in the examples of David, Hannah, and Nehemiah.

· Seeking Divine Guidance: In times of personal crisis, fasting is a way to seek God's guidance and wisdom. It is a means of aligning oneself with God's will and discerning His direction in difficult situations.

· Expression of Grief and Mourning: Fasting is a natural response to grief and mourning, allowing individuals to express their sorrow and lamentation before God. It is a way to process and present one's afflictions to the Lord.

Conclusion

Fasting during occasions of private affliction is a profound biblical practice that reflects a deep reliance on God. It is a means of drawing near to Him in times of personal crisis, seeking His comfort, guidance, and intervention. Through fasting, believers express their humility, repentance, and earnest desire for God's presence and action in their lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 12:16
David therefore sought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Life of Mr. Thomas Hog.
... for he frequently employed such on extraordinary occasions) to set ... a day and a night
for fasting and prayer ... During the time of worship, he observed a servant ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr thomas.htm

Letter xx. Self-Examination.
... To be used on ordinary occasions. ... Have I observed my regular seasons of prayer ... If
your circumstances will permit, set apart a day of fasting and prayer for this ...
/.../letter xx self-examination.htm

This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... powers; what further need have I of fasting, or to ... and drink, which are given us,
by occasions and necessities ... For, as I have already observed, he was not so ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i this homily was.htm

Confessio Augustana.
... Concerning confession, they teach that private absolution be ... to be observed which
may be observed without sin ... to wit, that he be invocated in all afflictions. ...
/.../the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/confessio augustana.htm

Footnotes
... to hold any publick or private exercises there.". ... After having been, on different
occasions brought before the ... work." It has been properly observed, that during ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... consultation and prayer; appointed days of fasting and thanksgiving ... and he evinced
on all occasions a mind ... He often dealt, both in his private conversation and ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... servants of old made such notes, and observed from them ... want dignity, though thou
art but a private Christian ... Doth not God, ofttimes, even take occasions by the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... go through a most painful process of fasting and other ... years ago, an apartment in
a private house was ... the duties of religion are punctually and daily observed. ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... state of the wretched persecutor, who occasions such sufferings ... night of the Lord
to be observed of all ... I should count those but small afflictions, and should ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... It was upon one of these occasions that a most extraordinary impression was fixed ...
He imagined that he could bear these small afflictions with patience; but 'a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm