What About Fasting Today?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “Are we commanded to fast, just like we are to pray. Is this something that people have forgotten about doing because it is not practiced as often as it should nor is it taught?”
Christians are not commanded to fast under the New Testament law of Christ. Early New Testament Christians did not fast under all circumstances (Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33; Acts 13:2). Christ classified fasting as a matter of private devotion (Matthew 6:16-18). The main purpose of fasting was to strengthen Christians in times of trial and adversity as well as sorrow and grief (Matthew 9:14-15; Acts 14:22-23; 1 Corinthians 7:5-6; 2 Corinthians 6:4-5). Fasting can be a source of spiritual blessing, a disciplining of the will resulting in an inward strength and power (Matthew 4:1-2). Since we can find neither a certain time nor manner of observance for fasting in the New Testament, we can conclude that fasting is an activity determined by each individual. An additional study of this topic is provided.