Practice of fasting

Fasting is not an end in itself

Fasting as empty ritual is condemned

Jeremiah 14:11–12 NRSV

The Lord said to me: Do not pray for the welfare of this people. Although they fast, I do not hear their cry, and although they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I do not accept them; but by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence I consume them.

See also Is 58:1–7; Zec 7:4–7

Fasting as mere show is condemned

Matthew 6:16–18 NRSV

“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

See also Mt 9:14–15 Jesus Christ repudiated fasting for its own sake whilst granting that there is a time and a place for it.

Fasting imposed for false motives

1 Samuel 14:24–30 NRSV

Now Saul committed a very rash act on that day. He had laid an oath on the troops, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before it is evening and I have been avenged on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted food. All the troops came upon a honeycomb; and there was honey on the ground. When the troops came upon the honeycomb, the honey was dripping out; but they did not put their hands to their mouths, for they feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the troops with the oath; so he extended the staff that was in his hand, and dipped the tip of it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened. Then one of the soldiers said, “Your father strictly charged the troops with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food this day.’ And so the troops are faint.” Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land; see how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if today the troops had eaten freely of the spoil taken from their enemies; for now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”

Attitudes appropriate to fasting

Humility

Psalm 35:13 NRSV

But as for me, when they were sick, I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed on my bosom,

See also 1 Ki 21:27–29; Ezr 8:21; Ps 69:10

Repentance

1 Samuel 7:6 NRSV

So they gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted that day, and said, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.

See also Ne 9:1–3; Joe 1:13–14; Joe 2:12–15

Fasting and prayer

Nehemiah 1:4 NRSV

When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

See also Ezr 8:21–23; Ps 35:13; Da 9:3; Mt 17:20; Lk 2:37; Lk 5:33; Ac 13:3; Ac 14:23; 1 Co 7:3–5 The motivation here is similar to that in abstaining from food.

Fasting and worship

Acts 13:2 NRSV

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

See also Lk 2:37