Today’s discussion will help us understand biblical fasting and discover practical ways to participate meaningfully in 21 days of prayer and fasting, even in a busy world.
Discussion Questions
1. What Is Fasting, And What Makes A Fast Acceptable To God?
Refer to Isaiah 58:3–11¹; Matthew 6:16–18²; Joel 2:12–13³ and let us discuss the meaning of fasting, the right motives for fasting, and the importance of prayer, repentance, mercy, and compassion.
2. What Are The Different Types Of Fasting Recorded In The Bible?
Let us read Daniel 10:2–3⁴; Esther 4:16⁵; Matthew 4:1–2⁶; Luke 18:12; Acts 13:2–3⁷; and identify examples of partial fasting, abstaining from food for a period, and communal fasting. What can we learn from these practices?
3. When Should We Fast And Pray, And What Results Can We Expect?
Read Ezra 8:21–23⁸; Nehemiah 1:4–11⁹; Daniel 9:3–23¹⁰; Jonah 3:5–10¹¹; Acts 13:2–3⁷; Acts 14:23¹².
From Scripture, can you discuss biblical examples of fasting during repentance, difficult decisions, national crises, spiritual preparation, and the commissioning of leaders? What testimonies and lessons can we draw from these accounts?
4. Why Is Fasting And Prayer Important In The Life Of A Believer?
Read Isaiah 58:6–11¹; Matthew 6:16–18²; Daniel 9:3–4¹⁰; Acts 13:2–3⁷.
How can fasting deepen our devotion to God, encourage repentance, sharpen our spiritual focus, and prepare us for greater responsibility?
5. How Can A Busy Person Successfully Participate In 21 Days Of Fasting And Prayer?
Read Mark 1:35¹³; Daniel 6:10¹⁴; Matthew 6:6¹⁵; Colossians 4:2¹⁶; 1 Thessalonians 5:17¹⁷.
Discuss practical steps such as choosing a suitable fasting plan, setting daily prayer times, identifying prayer venues, preparing a prayer list, reducing distractions, and maintaining consistency while fulfilling work and family responsibilities.
Referenced Scriptures
2. Matthew 6:17–18 KJV – “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 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.”
3. Joel 2:12–13 KJV – “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”
4. Daniel 10:2–3 KJV – “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
5. Esther 4:16 KJV – “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”
6. Matthew 4:1–2 KJV – “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”
7. Acts 13:2–3 KJV – “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
8. Ezra 8:21 KJV – “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.”
9. Nehemiah 1:4 KJV – “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”
10. Daniel 9:3 KJV – “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.”
11. Jonah 3:5 KJV – “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.”
12. Acts 14:23 KJV – “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
13. Mark 1:35 KJV – “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”
14. Daniel 6:10 KJV – “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”
15. Matthew 6:6 KJV – “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.”
16. Colossians 4:2 KJV – “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”
17. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV – “Pray without ceasing.”
