What is the purpose of fasting? | Ezra 8:23

A couple of years ago we talked about this in another podcast about the power of fasting. Today, we will talk about the purpose of fasting. So you can consider this part two of the message on fasting. In the OT, fasting often accompanied prayer as a demonstration of need before God (1 Kgs 21:9; 2 Chr 20:3; Neh 1:4; Dan 9:3). Throughout the Bible we most often find God’s people turn to fasting as the natural, inevitable response to a grievous sacred moment in life, such as death, sin and tragedy. But other times a fast is not a spontaneous reaction and we have time to prepare to respond both physically and spiritually. Fasting is not an end unto itself, but a means of focusing our minds and bodies for a spiritual reason. Whenever you fast, do so for a reason that is mentioned or modeled in the Bible. Fasting is a discipline that God's people have practiced in both the Old and New Testaments and throughout church history. Listen in to learn about ten primary purposes for fasting mentioned in Scripture.