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NASB | Nehemiah 1:4 ¶ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Nehemiah 1:4 ¶ Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying [constantly] before the God of heaven. |
Bible Question: What is the spiritual significance of fasting? How often do Christians fast? What role does fasting play in a Christian's spiritual walk? |
Bible Answer: Dear Nolan, These questions are great! I would like to share my experience with fasting. I have done a study on fasting in the last few years. I have experience with fasting itself. There are different calls for fasting...from the Lord himself, from others and lastly yourself. I have personally experienced all three ways. The reasons are varied and some you won't even know about till later or maybe not till you arrive in heaven! The fasting from a call to fast from someone else in my experience was for support purposes...supporting their decision and determination to obey the Lord in whatever or maybe they are earnestly seeking deliverance for a wayward family member....that is just an example...the main reason to fast being to support the person who called the fast. Fasting for yourself...I think Mommapbs did a good job of explaining that...it is to draw closer to the Lord ....to be delivered from some besetting sin...to intercede on behalf of someone else for whatever...lots of reasons for making a decision to fast for yourself. When the Lord calls you to fast....it might be for one specific purpose or many! You just never know what will result from fasting if you get a direct order from the King! I am currently going thru a fasting of 40 days....the Lord instructed me on this one...I had never done more than three days before so this is a stretcher for me. The Lord had specific instructions on how to fast and when. I won't go into detail here on the forum but suffice it to say...He will make it plain to you what, how and when if He calls you to fast. I am aware that this particalar fast is personal....I know the Lord will speak to me about some things and He has some blessings to impart during this time...among other personal things...this is also fasting for my family...for my local church....we are currently going thru some changes in worship services...and lastly for the church worldwide in general. This is all I am aware of at this time. Please, keep in mind these are my own experiences. I pray the Lord will bless you thru your own experiences with Him in worship, prayer, fasting...whatever! Blessings in Christ, Hugger |