“To Fast, or not to Fast” (Matthew 6:16-18)

^{Fasting is deliberate and sustained abstinence from food.}

^{Fasting in the Bible was usually done for one of the following reasons:}

1. As an act of mourning;
2. As an act of repentance;
3. As an auxiliary to prayer;
4. As an act of preparation to encounter God.

Fasting was only commanded once in the Law of Moses.

^{Fasting was primarily a voluntary activity.}

The Pharisees fasted twice a week, on Monday and Thursday.

Applications from This Text:

1. Think of fasting as often as you think of praying.
2. Recognize and respond to sacred moments in life.
3. Embrace the pathos of God.
4. Consider observing the liturgical calendar.
5. Resist the temptation to appear better than we are.