Bible Question:

When fasting, can you drink water? How often do you pray?

Bible Answer:

Fasting in the Bible involves more than not eating food. Fasting is act of self-denial. God views fasting as an act of humility. “Alms, Prayer and Fasting” is a study from the Sermon on the Mount that explains Jesus’ teaching about fasting.

When we fast how often should we pray

When we fast how often should we pray?

Prayer and Fasting

Fasting is something we can do . . .

. . . to make your voice heard on high. Isaiah 58:4 (NASB)

That is, fasting was usually connected with praying. Fasting occurred due to a sincere desire to seek God and ask for help. Ezra 8:23 also connects pray with fasting.

So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty. Ezra 8:23 (NASB)

Acts 14:23 teaches that Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted for the purpose of seeking God’s will.

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:23 (NASB)

In Joel 2:12 prayer and fasting was part of repentance and seeking God’s forgivenss.

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12 (NASB)

So, spiritual fasts usually included praying. But God never gives us any commands about how often or where to pray. We are not given any rules about how often to pray. The decision is completely left to one who fasts. However, God expects fasting to be an act of humility. It is an act that should be between you and God alone (Isaiah 58:3-7).

Fasting Involves This . . .

The study “Biblical Fasting — What is included in fasting? How to fast?” explains that a biblical fast can include not drinking water and not eating food. Fasts were usually the act of not eating food. However, the book of Esther describes a fast that included going without food and water for three days (Esther 4:16).

When should we start fasting? The decision is a personal one. But most likely they were started in the morning.  Fasting may include a reduction in the drinking of water and or the consumption of food throughout the day. Prayer should be included and a Christian will want to include the reading and meditation on Scripture. The rest of the day would be given to prayer and submitting oneself to God.

Conclusion:

When we fast, Jesus told us to fast in secret.

Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 (NASB)

Fasting should be between us and God. When we humbly and seriously seek God the Father in our fasting, we honor Him.

Suggested Links:

What does fasting include?
Can a person make love when fasting?
Willing To Humble Yourself?
Is fasting going without food?
Alms, Prayer, and Fasting
Biblical Fasting — What is included in fasting? How to fast?