Question:
Hello
What
is fasting? Does it apply only to
Jewish people? How long are you
supposed to fast?
Thanks,
Stephanie
Answer: Dear Stephanie,
Fasting
is mentioned several times in the New Testament as a spiritual discipline.
That is, fasting itself is not a penance that appeases God’s anger, or
an act that is holy in some way and earns God’s favor.
Fasting, like prayer, is not a way for us to convince God to change his
will. Fasting is a tool that helps
us prepare our hearts and minds to draw closer to God, to listen to him and walk
more closely with him. Fasting can
be a way for us to change and draw closer to God.
No specifics are given in the New Testament about how often a person must
fast, or even if a person “has to” fast, how long, what kind of fast, etc.
In
Christ,