In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about the spiritual discipline of fasting. Why do Christians fast? And what does it look like to abstain from the physical nourishment and satisfaction of food for a time as a personal and corporate spiritual discipline? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• James 4:8
• 2 Chronicles 16:9
• John 4:34
• Isaiah 55:1-2
• John 6:25-35
• Philippians 3:17-21
• John 1:4, 3:16, 5:24, 6:35, 8:12, 10:10, 11:25, 14:6, 17:3, 20:31
• Revelation 21:4
• Luke 10:9, 17:20-21
• Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23

A partial list of fasts in the Bible: 

• When seeking God’s direction on important decisions (Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23)
• As an act of whole-hearted devotion to the Lord (Luke 2:37)
• To gain ministry effectiveness and power (Matthew 17:21)
• When experiencing spiritual warfare (Matthew 4:2)
• When grieving over sin and leading people to repentance (Psalm 35:13, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1, Daniel 10:2-3, and Jonah 3:5-9)
• When meeting with God (Deuteronomy 9:9, 1 Kings 19)
• In the face of impending calamity (2 Chronicles 20:1-12, Esther 4:3)
• To experience a spiritual breakthrough (Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, Esther 4:16)

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• God’s Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis
• Sermon Series on Fasting by John Mark Comer
• Fasting Resources from Church of the Highlands
• Fasting: The Key to Spiritual Victory - a video series by Tony Evans
• NewSpring Resources on Fasting
• Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer - a book by John Piper