2025 Lent Devotional – Day 23

Lent Devotional: Day 23
Biblical examples of fasting
J.N. Manokaran

There is a church tradition like Lent when people fast for 40 days before Easter. Seasons of fasting and prayer are essential to take stock of our spiritual life and progress.

1. To Repent: The people of Nineveh repented when Jonah preached against the city. (Jonah 3: 6-9) Ezra prayed, fasted, and mourned for the sin of Israel. (Ezra 10: 6-17) Saul repented and fasted and prayed when Lord Jesus Christ confronted him while he was on his way to persecute the church of God. (Acts 9:1-9) God spoke to the Nation of Israel to fast, pray, and return to the Lord through Prophet Joel. (Joel 2:12)
2. To show grief: Nehemiah fasted and prayed when he received the bad report about Jerusalem. He was grieved for the city of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 1:1-4) We should be grieved when we see sin and blunders in the church.
3. To seek God’s wisdom: The elders of the church in the city of Antioch fasted and prayed to know God’s plan, purpose, and future local church strategy. (Acts 13: 1-3) Paul and Barnabas sought the wisdom of God to appoint elders in the churches they planted. (Acts 14:23) They needed discernment to choose the right kind of leaders.
4. To prepare for ministry: Lord Jesus Christ fasted and prayed before he began the ministry. (Matthew 4:1-2) When people begin their ministry in response to God’s call, it is essential to fast and pray to get guidance, wisdom, courage, and resources.
5. To seek deliverance and victory: The People of Israel fasted and prayed for deliverance. (Judges 20:26) Esther fasted and prayed for the protection and deliverance of Israel from the hands of conspirator Haman, who wanted to ethnically destroy the nation of Israel. (Esther 4: 15-17)
6. To worship God: Anna fasted and worshiped God in the Temple of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:37) Anna though an old woman was following strict discipline of fasting and worshipped the Lord.
7. To express need: Hannah prayed and did not eat as she was depressed. (I Samuel 1:7) Hannah received her desire and God blessed her with Samuel. David prayed for the healing and deliverance from death for his son. (II Samuel 12:1-23)
8. To Intercede: Daniel interceded for the children of Israel. He fasted and prayed to deliver the nation of Israel from the slavery of Babylon. (Daniel 9:3)
9. To receive the Law: Moses fasted for 40 days and nights to receive the Law. (Deuteronomy 9: 9-18) Moses had to prepare himself in humility to receive the sacred Law and covenant.
10. For spiritual discipline: Pharisees fasted two days a week as a spiritual discipline. (Luke 18:12) This was their regular practice.