en_tw/content/other/fast.md

fast

Definition:

The term "to fast" means to stop eating food for a period of time, such as for a day or more. Sometimes it also includes not drinking.

• Fasting can help people to focus on God and pray without being distracted by preparing food and eating.
• Jesus condemned the Jewish religious leaders for fasting for the wrong reasons. They fasted so that others would think they were righteous.
• Sometimes people fast because they are very sad or grieved about something.
• The verb "to fast" can also be translated as "to refrain from eating" or "to not eat."
• The noun "fast" could be translated as "time of not eating" or "time of abstaining from food."

(See also: Jewish leaders, Jewish authorities, religious leaders)

Bible References:

• 1 Kings 21:8-10
• 2 Chronicles 20:3-4
• Acts 13:1-3
• Jonah 03:4-5
• Luke 05:33-35
• Mark 02:18-19
• Matthew 06:16-18
• Matthew 09:14-15

Examples from the Bible stories:

• 25-01 Immediately after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led him out into the wilderness, where he fasted for forty days and forty nights.
• 34-08"'For example, I fast two times every week and I give you ten percent of all the money and goods that I receive.'"
• 46-10 One day, while the Christians at Antioch were fasting and praying, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do the work I have called them to do."