What is the purpose of fasting?
The primary purpose of fasting is to focus our attention on God. Ultimately, this brings glory God (Zechariah 7:5).
The discipline of denying ourselves the creature comforts such as food, creates opportunity to focus on our true source of strength - God. Jesus said, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on the Word of God." Outer fasting is to lead to inner prayer, worship, and devotion. We “fast on food so we can feast on God.”
Fasting is not for personal glory or any other selfish motives (Matthew
– Secondary purposes of fasting: fasting can reveal non-essential things that control us and take precedence in our lives (1 Corinthians 6:12); fasting can increase the effectiveness of prayer (2 Samuel 12:16); fasting can bring guidance from God in decisions (Acts 14:23); fasting can bring revelations (Acts 13:2); fasting can help our physical wellbeing (Daniel 1:12); fasting can aid in concentration; fasting can help bring deliverance for those who are in bondage.
¨ But these benefits come only when fasting is our attempt to diligently seek God.
