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FASTING- As set forth in the Bible and Spirit Of Prophecy A NEED?

FASTINGSpirit of, explained.Isa 58:6-7

Not to be made a subject of display.Mt 6:16-18

Should be unto God.Zec 7:5; Mt 6:18

For the chastening of the soul.Ps 69:10

For the humbling of the soul.Ps 35:13

OBSERVED ON OCCASIONS OF

Judgments of God.Joe 1:14; 2:12

Public calamities.2Sa 1:12

Afflictions of the Church.Lu 5:33-35

Afflictions of others.Ps 35:13; Da 6:18

Private afflictions.2Sa 12:16

Approaching danger.Es 4:16

Ordination of ministers.Ac 13:3; 14:23

ACCOMPANIED BY

Prayer.Ezr 8:23; Da 9:3

Confession of sin.1Sa 7:6; Ne 9:1-2

Mourning.Joe 2:12

Humiliation.De 9:18; Ne 9:1

Promises connected with.Isa 58:8-12; Mt 6:18

OF HYPOCRITESDescribed.Isa 58:4-5

Ostentatious.Mt 6:16

Boasted of, before God.Lu 18:12

Rejected.Isa 58:3; Jer 14:12

EXTRAORDINARY--EXEMPLIFIED.Our Lord, Mt 4:2Moses, Ex 34:28; De 9:9,18Elijah, 1Ki 19:8

NATIONAL--EXEMPLIFIED.Israel, Jg 20:26; Ezr 8:21; Es 4:3,16Men of Jabesh-gilead, 1Sa 31:13Ninevites, Jon 3:5-8

OF SAINTS--EXEMPLIFIED.David, 2Sa 12:16; Ps 109:24Nehemiah, Ne 1:4Esther, Es 4:16Daniel, Da 9:3Disciples of John, Mt 9:14Anna, Lu 2:37Cornelius, Ac 10:30Primitive Christians, Ac 13:2Apostles, 2Co 6:5Paul, 2Co 11:27

OF THE WICKED--EXEMPLIFIED.

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FASTING- As set forth in the Bible and Spirit Of Prophecy A NEED?

Elders of Jezreel, 1Ki 21:12Ahab, 1Ki 21:27Pharisees, Mr 2:18; Lu 18:12

When Special Divine Help Is Needed

For certain things, fasting and prayer are recommended and appropriate. In the hand of God they are a means of cleansing the heart and promoting a receptive frame of mind. We obtain answers to our prayers because we humble our souls before God. {CD 187.6} Letter 73, 1896

Studying the Bible When the time shall come, in the providence of God, for the world to be tested upon the truth for that time, minds will be exercised by His Spirit to search the Scriptures, even with fasting and with prayer, until link after link is searched out, and united in a perfect chain. {CD 187.2}

As a Help in Total SurrenderingThe spirit of true fasting and prayer is the spirit which yields mind, heart, and will to God. {CD 189.2}

Overcoming in the end timesNow and onward till the close of time the people of God should be more earnest, more wide-awake, not trusting in their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader. They should set aside days for fasting and prayer. Entire abstinence from food may not be required, but they should eat sparingly of the most simple food. {CD 188.4}

Fasting not to replace simple trust in the Blood.

All the fasting in the world will not take the place of simple trust in the word of God. "Ask," He says, "and ye shall receive." ... You are not called upon to fast forty days. The Lord bore that fast for you in the wilderness of temptation. There would be no virtue in such a fast; but there is virtue in the blood of Christ. {CD 189.1}

Fasting was practiced by the Jews as an act of merit, and the most rigid among them fasted two days in every week. The Pharisees and John's disciples were fasting when the latter came to Jesus with the inquiry, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but Thy disciples fast not?" {DA 276.4}

Some fast not necessaryI think that you have erred in fasting two days. God did not require it of you. I beg of you to be cautious and eat freely good, wholesome food twice a day. You will surely decrease in strength and your mind become unbalanced unless you change your course of abstemious diet. {CD 191.2}

Transition into vegetarianism If our appetites clamor for the flesh of dead animals, it is a necessity to fast and pray for the Lord to give His grace to deny fleshly lusts which war against the soul. [FASTING BENEFICIAL IN CHANGING FROM A DIET OF FLESH MEAT AND RICH FOODS--312] {CD 400.3} (Letter 73, 1896)

Resolving issues in the ChurchI do not think any such questions as that ought to be placed before me. I do not think it is my work to deal with any such things unless the case has

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FASTING- As set forth in the Bible and Spirit Of Prophecy A NEED?

been plainly opened before me. There should be brethren in the church who have wisdom who can speak decidedly regarding this case. I cannot understand such things. I do not believe that God wants me to take any such burden upon me. If they cannot settle such things among themselves by prayer and fasting, then let them continue [in] fasting and prayer till they can. {TSB 234.1}

Emptying self when praying It is he who yields himself most unreservedly to God that will render Him the most acceptable service. For through fellowship with God men become workers together with Him in presenting His character in humanity. {RC 24.4}

Unaccepted fasting The outward signs of fasting and prayer, without a broken and contrite spirit, are of no value in God's sight. The inward work of grace is needed. Humiliation of soul is essential. God looks upon this. He will graciously receive those who will humble their hearts before Him. He will hear their petitions and heal their backslidings. {3BC 1132.4}