Why Humility and Fasting Go Together

Of all the biblical teachings you’ve heard on fasting and prayer, have you ever considered humility as a vital component — that humility and fasting are tightly connected?

You may have heard Bible teaching about fasting, referencing 2 Chronicles 7:14. It calls us to humble ourselves before God, and when we do, He will hear from heaven. Believe it or not, this verse explains why humility and fasting are important!

Part 1 in the Prayer and Fasting Series

Here is the verse in the KJV: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

I will use this verse, along with a few others, to explain why humility is central to prayer and fasting and why it matters so much for believers today.

First, I want to ask: Do you think fasting is an option for believers? Do we fast only when we need God to intervene, or should we fast regularly for spiritual growth? Think about this as we work through this study on the connection of prayer and fasting with humility.

The Barrier to Unanswered Prayer

Have you prayed to God for a solution to a problem but not received an answer? I’m sure you have continued to pray, laying the problem before Him, but with little to no results.

Why do you suppose that might be?

One answer is that a barrier may be between you and God. Can you think of what that barrier might be?

It is pride. Pride can keep God from hearing your plea for help.

As a side note, do you recall the very first sin recorded? It had to do with pride. Remember when Lucifer got the bright idea that he could be like God? His pride resulted in his expulsion from heaven. Isaiah 14:12-14 shows how far he wanted to go. This is the lowest depth pride can reach.

The dictionary meaning of pride is a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements.

However, the Biblical meaning of pride goes beyond that. There is a difference between the pride God hates and, for example, the pride we can express in a job well done.

Psalm 10:4 summarizes the pride God hates: “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God; God is not in all his thoughts.”

Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.“

God hates it when we prefer our own desires and will rather than submitting to His will.

Can you think of a time when you refused to submit to God? If so, that is pride and rebellion! Ouch!!

The Remedy for Pride

There is a cure for pride. At one time or another, we probably all have moments when we think we can do things our way instead of letting God be in control. We already talked about the ‘ouch.’

However, there is a remedy for pride. Can you guess what that might be?

It is humility!

Humility is the remedy for pride.

How do we humble ourselves? By bowing down? Kneeling? By submitting to God? Or is it more than that?

Our key verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14 clearly states the remedy: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

In Luke 14:7-11, Jesus gives a clear example of humility. When you take this approach and sit in the lowest position, you can go nowhere but up.

In our main text, God clearly says we are to humble ourselves. He did not say that He would humble us.

In fact, if we asked Him to humble us, we probably wouldn’t like or appreciate what He would do. For example, God humbled Jonah when he ran away from doing God’s will. I’m sure Jonah didn’t like that!

So, humility begins with you:

• Submit to God’s will,
• Set aside time for fasting and effective prayer.
• Esteem others better than yourself — Philippians 2:3.

The Importance of Humility in Fasting and Prayer

Review the parable that Jesus taught in Luke 14:7-11; He said not to choose the best room or the best seat when you are invited somewhere. Sitting in an honourable place may displace you to a lower seat. The seat you chose may be intended for someone more honourable than you. This is an embarrassing and humbling moment for sure!

God exalted Jesus as we learn in Philippians 2:5-11. Paul teaches that Jesus humbled himself by becoming a servant, made in the likeness of men. He was obedient to death, even the death on the cross. Philippians 2:9 says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name.”

Do you want to have an effective prayer life? Let it begin with humility. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.“

Turn a few pages over to 1 Peter 5:5-6 to read, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” KJV

There it is again; did you catch what Peter said? Humble yourself, not ‘let God humble you.’

What Does Humility Look Like?

By now, I’m sure you are wondering why we are talking so much about humility. Are you seeing the connection between humility and prayer and fasting?

We already learned about pride and its opposite: humility. Humility also means recognizing that you need God’s help and that you cannot succeed in your own strength.

When we recognize that everything we have comes from God, we can praise Him and thank Him for what He has done for us. This is humility.

Humility also means examining our hearts to check our motives and attitudes. Are we condescending towards others? Or are we helpful and encouraging and a blessing to them? Are we kind and gentle or rude and pushy?

When we act in a godly manner, we are humble and will likely have more influence on people than if we are abrasive and rude.

Fasting is one way to show humility before God. David wrote in Psalm 35:13, “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”

Fasting is one way to show humility before God.

Leviticus 16:29-31 describes the Day of Atonement for the Jewish people. The term “afflict your souls” is understood by the Jewish people to mean “fasting.” Note that this term is used in vv. 29 and 31. The people were to humble themselves by fasting, that is, going without food all day.

Bible People Who Were Filled with Humility and Fasting

God hears your prayers when you offer them while fasting. Let’s review a few examples.

Ezra

Ezra 8:21-23 explains what happened when Ezra called for a fast at the riverside to seek God’s protection. Ezra had previously told the king that God had His hand upon those who believed and followed Him.

At this point, Ezra led the Jewish people on a treacherous journey, and he could have asked the king for an escort to protect them. However, that would contradict what he said about God, that God was with them. So, when they reached the River Ahava, they stopped and afflicted themselves before our God to seek Him the right way.

God heard their prayers while they fasted and provided safety and protection from their enemy — Ezra 8:31.

Can you recall a time when you testified of God’s faithfulness to others as Ezra did?

Ahab

King Ahab fasted and prayed before God; did you know that? We mostly know him as a very evil king and husband to Jezebel, who despised God. Here’s the story:

God told Elijah to go to King Ahab (king of Israel) and pronounce judgment on him. You can read the full story here: 1 Kings 21:17-29.

1 Kings 21:22; 25; 27-29 are the key verses of the judgment: the extent of Ahab’s wickedness and Ahab’s change of heart.

When Ahab heard the judgment, it pierced his evil heart and led him to turn to God. He tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, which represents mourning, and fasted before God.

Did you notice God’s response to Ahab as He spoke to Elijah? Read 1 Kings 21:29, where God saw Ahab’s humility before Him and, in response, delayed judgment until his son’s lifetime.

Judgment Averted through Humility and Fasting

Here is another time when fasting and prayer averted judgment. Are you familiar with Jonah’s story? God gave Jonah a message to deliver to the people of Nineveh, but Jonah ran away from God instead. Why? Because he didn’t want the evil Ninevites to have the opportunity to repent.

After three days in the belly of the great fish, he repented of his sin, and God forgave him, so the great fish spat him out on the beach. Jonah walked to Nineveh and proclaimed the LORD’s message.

The people believed God (Jonah 3:5-9), and the king declared a fast so everyone could cry out to God in repentance for their evil ways. What did God do? He averted judgment for 100 years because their hearts changed!

Fasting and prayer should be two vital elements of the believer’s life.

Esther

Here’s another example of the power and purpose of fasting and prayer. You may know the story of Queen Esther and her bravery with the King. Do you recall that she proclaimed a fast for herself, her maids and all the Jews for three days and nights?

The purpose of this fasting and prayer was to seek God’s intervention and favour in the king’s presence. We are told that the Jewish people were marked for extinction (Esther 3:5-6); however, this prompted Esther to proclaim a fast for God to intervene on their behalf. (See Esther 4:3, 15-17.)

The result of their fasting? Well, you can read Esther chapters 5 through 8 to see how God diverted the extinction of the Jews and placed it on those who instigated it in the first place.

Explore the New Testament teaching on fasting as it supports this Old Testament discipline.

The Turning Point When God’s People Fasted

Did you notice a commonality between the above examples? What happened when people humbled themselves before God through fasting and prayer?

God intervened. Sometimes He responds immediately; sometimes you may see the answer weeks or months later. He will respond in due time.

Can you imagine what could happen if you spent more time fasting and praying? Not only for your health issues or whatever challenges you face, but also for your daily spiritual growth.

Humility and Fasting in 2 Chronicles 7:14

It’s time to review our key verse in detail. Turn with me to 2 Chronicles 7:14. You may have already noticed the two lists in this verse, but if not, let me point them out. Let’s see how humility and fasting go hand in hand.

2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.“

As the chart above shows, God lists what the people are to do before He indicates what He will do.

This verse teaches us to fast and pray, not just fasting alone. In seeking God, we may do so earnestly, lying prostrate before Him, or with tears and weeping. In all seriousness, however we approach Him, God sees our hearts and knows our thoughts. You cannot hide from Him, so approach God sincerely.

Be honest with God; confess your sins so nothing stands between you and Him.

Basically, start your fasting time with a clean slate through repentance. Then, as you are in His presence, He may lead you to identify specific sins to repent of…or He may not.

How Often Should You Be In Fasting and Prayer?

Ahha! Here’s the big question! How often should you pray and fast? What do you think? When there are trials and tribulations in your life? When faced with health issues? Or when you feel the need to seek God’s direction?

How often is often enough?

Some churches proclaim annual times of refreshing through prayer and fasting, while others have monthly prayer meetings but no monthly fasting and prayer times. Should they? What do you think? Would it benefit them to regularly ask God to heal their land, i.e., their church growth, outreach, and people?

Christians may understand the humility of prayer and fasting and have their own personal weekly or monthly times of prayer and fasting.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:6-7; 16-17 that He expected His followers to pray and fast. Did you realize that when you read Matthew 6 before? He didn’t say “if you pray” or “if you fast”, He said, “when”. When you pray and fast, don’t do it like the hypocrites; do it this way instead.

Would a one-day-a-week fast be too much for you? How about a half-day fast? Done weekly, that’s 52 days a year. There may be times of special fasting when you do a three-day fast or longer, as the Spirit leads you. But, basically, one day of fasting and prayer would benefit you greatly. But honestly, whatever you decide is between you and God.

Wrapping Up, How Important Is Fasting and Prayer to You?

On a subject that could cover so many topics, I hope you saw the importance of fasting and prayer as you read this quick study.

The main points are:

• defeating pride through humility
• the affliction of the soul = fasting = humility
• God expects His children to humble themselves before Him
• Jesus expects His followers to fast and pray
• An important aspect of humility is through fasting

Do you recall the question I asked at the beginning of this study? As a refresher, here it is: have you ever considered humility as a vital component?

After reading this teaching, I hope you recognize that humility is connected to fasting and prayer, which bring you closer to God.

~ Other Posts Related to this Topic ~

• Pursue God To Be Holy as He Is Holy
• 7 Steps to Be Holy and Blameless Before God
• Psalm 1 Study: How Sin Slows You Down

~ More Posts on Prayer and Fasting ~

• Part 2 – Prayer and Fasting: New Testament Teaching. Explore how fasting in the New Testament supports the Old Testament discipline.
• Part 3 – 10 Benefits of Fasting and Prayer. Read how believers reap spiritual benefits from times of fasting.
• Part 4 – 10 Proven Types of Fasting in the Bible. Coming Soon
• Part 5 – How to Start a Fast and the Best Way to Break a Fast. This is an excellent resource, as it also includes The Complete Fasting & Prayer Journaling Kit for all subscribers. Coming Soon