To tell you the truth, I had never really considered the place of Biblical Fasting. I suppose that I always thought it was an outdated practice - until I had to study for this sermon here in Matthew 6:16-18, where Jesus was rebuking the Scribes and Pharisees for their hypocritical practise of fasting along with giving and prayer.
The question is: "Is Biblical Fasting still applicable today?"
Firstly, fasting is always connected with prayer. You can pray without fasting but you cannot fast without praying. It is a spiritual discipline of very earnest prayer which shuts out the earthly considerations.
Secondly, fasting was a common practice in both the Old and New Testaments, and in Church History until recently.
Thirdly, fasting was only commanded by the Lord once — it was to accompany confession of sins with the Day of Atonement. Although it is mentioned some 77 times in the Bible — except for this once - it is never commanded: it is a spontaneous, voluntary, heartfelt act.
Why has the practise of Biblical fasting practically stopped in the churches today? There may be two reasons. While the Reformation brought about necessary reform, it also at times brought about an overreaction. Perhaps more importantly, though, fasting has fallen by the wayside because we are influenced by our society. Everything is instant. Life is very busy. We are not use to self-control and the discipline of waiting. Fasting simply does not fit into our modern way of thinking!
Is fasting applicable today? After studying for this passage I believe it is. The question really is: We will still take time today to earnestly seek the Lord in prayer? Will we be courageous enough not to be people influenced by our times more than the Bible?