Is fasting necessary for prayer to be answered?

[JeffM]

How important is fasting?

Will God listen to your prayers if you don't fast while praying?

If it is necessary, can some of you give me tips on how to properly fast? I've been told it doesn't always include food, but refraining from something you might do every single day, such as going online.

 

[superdave]

No, it is a way to intensify your focus on the object of your prayer, but If you look through the NT, you do not see the two combined as a consistent pattern. Fasting seems to be less emphasized than prayer.

James 5:15
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

 

[Paul of Eugene]

Fasting is a communication of being serious about the effort.

It is not the only way to show that you are serious.

God can tell exactly how serious you are without any need on your part for communicating that to Him.

Part of the benefit of fasting is to strengthen your own commitment and seriousness to the prayer.

You do not supply "energy" to God for answering prayers by being more or less "serious" or "intense" in your prayers.

God makes His choices as to what prayers to answer in an utterly perfect utterly spiritual utterly complete way.

Our ways are not His ways.

You can trust God to handle all our prayers perfectly.

 

[GODzThunder]

fasting is not a requirement for answered prayer.
If you look at the scripture fasting went along with prayer but it was not to get that prayer answered it was to intensify devotion and relationship to God.
Fasting was done in accordance with extreme prayer needs. Paul fasted to get seek help in ridding his thorn in the flesh. Jesus fasted to face the devil and to prepare for his ministry. David fasted for the very life of his child and over his sin. Ninevah fasted over their destruction. Do a study on fasting in the Bible and see what else you can find about it!

 

[Roy1]

You will find that fasting has much more to do with you. It draws your attention to God, and the answers to your prayers may be different. That is your prayers will change as you are more in tune with the will of God. You will have fewer tendencies to ask amiss.

The types of fasting are many,

Food,
Food & water,
Bitter things,
Lack of sweet things,
Partial days, whole days and weeks.
Giving up something that you hold dear, or something that consumes your time can be a fast. But fill those times with prayer and drawing closer to God.

God bless,

Hungry Roy.

 

[MTA]

Biblical fasting is a voluntary abstinence from food. While this practice takes many different paths today, each involves abstinence of one kind or another. However, I have to question whether giving up candy bars for a day or two truly represents a sacrifice that will enable the person fasting to achieve a closer relationship with God.

The purpose of fasting is to humble yourself before God.
(Mat 6:16) Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mat 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Regardless, fasting is not a prerequisite of prayer.

Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Jam 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

And here's the clincher! . . .
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

 

[Ben W]

Fasting is an excersize that helps you clear your mind and be able to concentrate on what it is that the Holy Spirit is saying to you. Often we pray for answers yet are to busy and involved in our lives to be prepared to sit and listen for the Still Small Quiet Voice that has the answer.

 

[Pete]

"Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough" by Elmer Towns is a good read on the topic.

(I made the mistake of lending mine out a few years ago and haven't seen it since. Have to get around to picking up another copy.)

 

[Dr. Bob]

Fasting OR Prayer are both sadly neglected by most of us today. But far more important than fasting . .

Isaiah 58:3ff 'Why have we fasted and Thou dost not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and Thou dost not notice?' Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, and drive hard all your workers.

"Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high. "Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed, And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD?

"Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free, And break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

"Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.