Should we do Fasting?

Fasting is considered to be a situation of dilemma for most of us, sometimes we feel what is the use of fasting and what benefit will it have to us? Fasting as a name suggest “FAST” and we do it generally because our life is slow and there are some barriers in our life which are visible or not visible to us. Sometime it becomes necessary sacred rituals during the Good Friday and Easter Season to do fasting for 40 days. Let us examine what the word of God specifically mentions about “Fasting”. The word of God mentions specifically in the book of ISAIAH “Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou see not? Where fore have we afflicted our soul, and thou taken no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isaiah 58:2-3)” This state comes when we do fasting for specific purpose and do not get the desired result of our fasting. Our mind questions us why this is happening to me? This is what practically happens in all our fasting, if we do not do fasting as per the word of GOD as mentioned in the Bible. But the bible clearly mentions us the cause for it “Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? will thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou sees the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. Then shall thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shall cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; (Isaiah 58:4-9)”

If we do fasting by first forgiving others for whatsoever they have done to us in our life from our heart in Jesus Christ mighty name, submitting our entire self to JESUS CHRIST without any pre assumptions thorough the help of Holy Spirit THEN following thing will happen “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for them whose heart walked after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, said the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 11:19-21)”

So what are we waiting for let us do as our wonderful, magnificent Master Lord JESUS Christ has spoken “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:35-37)”