Fasting
147
prayer, and often fasting for a time, they should entreat that God would
especially help them, and give His saving, precious truth a glorious
victory, that error might appear in its true deformity, and its advocates
be completely discomfited.
[
The Saviour’s Fast A Lesson to Us, Who Live in Fearful Times—
238
]
The True Fast
305. The true fasting which should be recommended to all, is
abstinence from every stimulating kind of food, and the proper use
of wholesome, simple food, which God has provided in abundance.
Men need to think less about what they shall eat and drink of temporal
food, and much more in regard to the food from heaven, that will give
tone and vitality to the whole religious experience.—[
Letter 73, 1896
]
Medical Ministry, 283
306. Now and onward till the close of time the people of God
should be more earnest, more wide-awake, not trusting in their own
wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader. They should set aside
days for fasting and prayer. Entire abstinence from food may not be
[189]
required, but they should eat sparingly of the most simple food.—
The
Review and Herald, February 11, 1904
307. All the fasting in the world will not take the place of simple
trust in the word of God. “Ask,” He says, “and ye shall receive.” ...
You are not called upon to fast forty days. The Lord bore that fast for
you in the wilderness of temptation. There would be no virtue in such
a fast; but there is virtue in the blood of Christ.—
Letter 206, 1908
308. The spirit of true fasting and prayer is the spirit which yields
mind, heart, and will to God.—
Manuscript 28, 1900
As a Remedy for Disease
309. Intemperate eating is often the cause of sickness, and what
nature most needs is to be relieved of the undue burden that has been
placed upon her. In many cases of sickness, the very best remedy is
for the patient to fast for a meal or two, that the overworked organs of
digestion may have an opportunity to rest. A fruit diet for a few days
has often brought great relief to brain workers. Many times a short
period of entire abstinence from food, followed by simple, moderate