Corporate Fasting

Let’s talk about corporate fasting in the New Testament. Just two examples from the Book of Acts. Acts chapter 13. This is one of the most significant moments in the history of the Book of Acts. People have called this the beginning of a missionary program. Actually, the word “missionary” is not New Testament. The New Testament word is “apostolic.” And this is the first sending forth of apostles in the record of the Book of Acts. And it happened in the city of Antioch.

“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.”

Who later became Paul. So there were five men who were recognized as prophets and teachers. The next verse says,

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted…”

How did they minister to the Lord? By fasting. By turning away from every activity and simply being in God’s presence and waiting for Him to speak.