Here are some of the best books on fasting and prayer that we could find. God requires that we fast. It is mentioned 92 times in the Bible. Moses, Elijah, Esther, Nehemiah, Daniel, Paul and many of our spiritual heroes fasted at key moments in their walk with God.
Fasting was an important part of Jesus’ life and mission. After being anointed by the Holy Spirit, he was led into the wilderness to fast and pray for forty days (Matthew 4:2). Jesus gave specific instructions on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:16-18). Jesus knew that those disciples to whom He spoke would be fasting.
But how does fasting fit in the life of a modern-day Christian? We fast so that we can be humble before the creator of the universe. He answers when we look for God with all of our heart and soul (2 Chronicles 7:14). This may mean turning away from sin and confessing. Such was the case when Jonah sadly told the Ninevites that God would judge them (Jonah 3:5,10). They turned away from their evil ways and called for a fast.
Fasting is humbling because it acknowledges our dependence upon God. In Psalm 35 David complains about how his enemies have mistreated him, while he cared for them when they were sick. He humbled his soul by fasting and praying for their healing (Ps. 35:13).
Another reason for fasting is that we respond to the love of God with fasting. It appears that we are saying to God, “Since you are righteous and holy, and loved me so much that you sent Jesus to die for my sins, I want to know you more intimately. Jeremiah 29:13 assures us that we will find God if we seek Him with all our hearts. So we may want to set aside more time to seek and give thanks to God by fasting for a day or more.
When we make a conscious decision to set aside time to fast, we show God that we want to seek Him.
Below are Books on fasting and prayer:
A Hunger for God (Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer) – John Piper
Fasting and Prayer God’s Nuclear Power – Steven Brooks
The Power of Prayer and Fasting (10 Secrets of Spiritual Strength) – Ronnie W. Floyd
