Fast Days | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 21, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 21.

Fast Days.

The days of fasting and prayer requested by the General Conference Committee were days of blessing to the church here in Oakland. There was no dictation. The situation, the time in which we live, the necessity of knowing God, and having his power, were all set before the church; but no prescriptions were dictated. Each was left to apply the word to his own heart, and we believe that the season was very generally observed. We know that fasting and humility of heart are not fashionable, but they are necessary to Christian growth. Anciently there was one day of fasting among God’s people every year. Lev. 23: 27. See also 2 Chron. 20: 3; Ezra 8: 21; Neh. 9: 1, 2; Esther 4: 16, for records of special fasts and God’s blessings connected with them. The Lord says that his people in the last days shall seek him by fasting and prayer, and special blessings are promised in connection therewith. See Joel 1: 14, 15; 2: 12–18; Matt. 9: 15. But let it not be for an appointed day alone; let it not be with the thought that our fasting commends us to God; but let it be such a fast as the Lord has prescribed. See Isa. 58: 6–12; Matt. 6: 16–18. Only thus shall we receive the blessing of the Lord.