". . . a way of gaining merit, nor as a religious exercise used to impress others, and certainly not as a means of 'twisting God's arm'."Then Baldwin lists some reasons why fasting should/could be part of Christian living:
- In an age of rush one way of making time for prayer is to forgo a meal.
- Life's inequalities offer opportunities to help provide for others by taking less of the world's resources for ourselves.
- Prayer with fasting ensures that important decisions that come in one's personal life and in the church are being taken with due seriousness.
- When a whole community prays and fasts together, as in the Esther crisis, all share in the joy of seeing God's response and give praise to Him (cf 2 Cor 1:11).
Quotes are taken from 'Esther An Introduction & Commentary' by Joyce G Baldwin (pg84)
