Another important part of the personal revival plan is fasting and prayer. To help us understand why we are to do this, we have a collection of articles on the subject from Sister White and the pioneers. We hope that they will be of help to you. We especially recommend Elder Waggoner’s article, which will help you understand the spiritual meaning of fasting.
- Fasting and Prayer – James White
- Fasting and Prayer – E.J. Waggoner
- Fasting: Is It Still a Duty? – S.C. Courter
- True Fasting – E.G. White
Some Statements from Sister White
In addition to the above articles, please read the following quotes from the pen of inspiration.
Fast and Pray for Victory Over Sin
I saw we must keep close to [ Jehoshua ] and fast and pray if we could not get the victory over the powers of darkness.
— Manuscript 5, 1850
Test All the Bearings and Positions of Truth with Prayer and Fasting
God would have all the bearings and positions of truth thoroughly and perseveringly searched, with prayer and fasting. Believers are not to rest in suppositions and ill-defined ideas of what constitutes truth. Their faith must be firmly founded upon the word of God so that when the testing time shall come and they are brought before councils to answer for their faith they may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear.
— 5 Testimonies, p. 707
Seek the Truth with Fasting and Prayer
Know for yourselves what is truth. Do not take any man’s words, any man’s prejudices, any man’s arguments, any man’s theories. This has been done by ministers to the injury of their experience, and it has left them novices when they should have been wise in the Scriptures and in the power of God. Take your Bibles, humble yourselves and weep and fast and pray before the Lord, as did Nathanael, seeking to know the truth. [ Jehoshua’s ] divine eye saw Nathanael praying, and answered his prayer.
— Manuscript 8a, 1888
Fasting and Prayer the Prerequisite of the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
Before the power of the Holy Ghost rested upon the disciples, they spent ten days before God in prayer and fasting and confession of sin. After they had come into unity, the heavens were opened, the glory of God was revealed, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. Then they went forth to proclaim the gospel with power, and under the influence of the Spirit five thousand were converted in one day. […]
One reason that there are not more conversions now is because you yourselves need to be converted. Just as soon as you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, you will see of the salvation of God. Let the breaking-up plow do its work in the heart. We desire to see every one drawing strength from Christ by eating His flesh and drinking his blood. May God help you. May He cleanse you from all unrighteousness, and let His light shine upon you.
— Manuscript 77, 1902
Fasting and Prayer: A Deeper, More Powerful Experience
Here is a presentation describing how powerful fasting can be. We strongly encourage you to watch it!