· the love of the Lord is better than life, and spiritual nourishment is more important than physical (Ps.63:3-5);
· we do not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt.4:4);
· hunger for God and His righteousness (Matt.5:6; Is.58);
· humbling ourselves before the Lord (Ps.35:13; I Kings 21:27-29);
· the means through which the Lord exposes what lies in our hearts, and through which He can discipline us so that we may learn to trust His providence (Deut.8:1-5);
· practised with intercession / supplication / petition (Ezra 8:21-23; Neh.1:4; Dan.9:3);
· averting disaster / seek help from the Lord (II Chron.20:3);
· response to suffering brought about by the Lord in discipline or times of spiritual crisis (Joel 2; Acts 9:9; II Cor. 11:27) [should be the Church’s standard response to any crisis or concern]
· seeking wisdom and discernment from the Lord (Jdgs 20:26; Acts 13:2-3);
· linked to spiritual power and effectiveness in ministry (Mk.9:29 see NIV footnote);
· it underpins times of worship and is the context in which the Church receives guidance for ministry (Acts 13:1-3; 14:23);
· mourning (Neh.1:4; Ps.42:3) and repentance (I Sam.7:5-6; Jonah 3:5);
· anticipation of the coming age (Lk.5:33-39).
intensify the effectiveness of prayer and response to God, if done with integrity and in the context of wider life of righteousness (Is.58; Zech. 7:3-14 – note that when the prophets attack fasting, it is not the practise itself, but the hypocrisy they harangue; see also Matt.6:16f; Col.2:16-23).
