What Does It Mean To Fast And Pray

In mark 9 jesus casts a demon from a boy.

Fasting played an important role in the life and ministry of jesus. You can pray without fasting and fast without prayer. Rather fasting along with prayer seems to indicate the sincerity of the people praying and the critical nature of the situations in which they find themselves. We see from the biblical examples that fasting should be used as a means to humble ourselves before god and seek his forgiveness comfort help guidance strength and his will.

After being anointed by the holy spirit he was led into the wilderness to fast and pray for 40 days matthew 4 2. Jesus knew the followers he addressed would fast. Prayer and fasting often go hand in hand but this is not always the case. In the bible there is a strong connection between fasting and prayer.

During the sermon on the mount jesus gave specific instructions on how to fast matthew 6 16 18.