Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White's counsel on fasting and prayer emphasizes that **the spiritual condition of the heart matters far more than the physical act of fasting**. She taught that "fasting and prayer will accomplish nothing, while the heart is estranged from God by a wrong course of action" (2T 145.1). The effectiveness of fasting depends entirely on whether we have first addressed sin and aligned our lives with God's will. ## The True Fast God Has Chosen Rather than focusing on the mechanics of abstaining from food, Ellen White pointed to Isaiah's definition of the fast that pleases God. She quoted extensively: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out, to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" (T16 40.1). This reveals that proper fasting involves practical acts of justice, mercy, and compassion—breaking the chains of oppression, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and clothing the naked. The promise that follows is powerful: "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am" (2T 145.1). ## Preparation Before Fasting and Prayer Ellen White gave specific counsel about what must precede fasting and prayer, especially in cases of spiritual affliction. She wrote that "before engaging in prayer there should be the most close self-examination to discover if there are not sins which need to be repented of, confessed, and forsaken. Deep humility of soul before God is necessary, and firm, humble reliance upon the merits of the blood of Christ alone" (PH097 57.1). This self-examination is critical. Fasting without first removing the barriers of unconfessed sin and wrong actions will not bring God's blessing. The heart must be right with God before fasting can be effective. ## The Nature of True Prayer While Ellen White didn't provide a step-by-step manual for the physical practice of fasting, she gave extensive counsel on prayer itself. She taught that true prayer, offered in faith, is a power to the petitionerand that prayer, whether offered in the public assembly, at the family altar, or in secret, places man directly in the presence of God" (YI February 15, 1900). She encouraged believers to come to God with childlike simplicity and directness, telling Him exactly what we need. As she explained, we should come as a child comes to its parent,presenting our needs for His presence and grace (BEcho March 1, 1893, par. 1). The Lord's Prayer, which Jesus taught His disciples, provides the model: acknowledging God's holiness, seeking His kingdom and will, asking for daily provision, requesting forgiveness while forgiving others, and seeking deliverance from temptation (YI December 7, 1899, par. 1). ## Practical Application The key to properly fasting and praying, according to Ellen White's writings, is this: **First, examine your heart and life for any sin, confess and forsake it, and align your actions with God's will—especially in showing mercy and justice to others. Then, approach God in humble faith, relying on Christ's merits alone, and present your needs with the simplicity and trust of a child coming to a loving parent.** Fasting is not a ritual to manipulate God's response, but rather a spiritual discipline that accompanies genuine repentance, self-examination, and a life lived in harmony with God's principles of love and justice. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about the connection between answered prayer and obedience to God's will? • How did Ellen White counsel believers to prepare for times of special prayer and seeking God? • What role does confession and restitution play in effective prayer according to Ellen White's writings?

# A Step-by-Step Guide to Fasting and Prayer from Ellen White's Writings Ellen White provided practical counsel on how to approach fasting and prayer, emphasizing that this spiritual discipline requires careful preparation and the right heart attitude. Here's a step-by-step approach based on her writings: ## Step 1: Examine Your Heart and Confess Sin Before beginning to fast and pray, engage in thorough self-examination. Ellen White was clear that "in such cases of affliction, where Satan has control of the mind, before engaging in prayer there should be the closest self-examination to discover if there are not sins which need to be repented of, confessed, and forsaken" (1TT 212). This step is critical because "fasting and prayer will accomplish nothing while the heart is estranged from God by a wrong course of action" (1TT 212.2). ## Step 2: Cultivate Deep Humility and Reliance on Christ Approach fasting with deep humility of soul before Godand "firm, humble reliance upon the merits of the blood of Christ alone" (4T 625.3). The effectiveness of your fast depends on yielding completely to God, as "the spirit of true fasting and prayer is the spirit which yields mind, heart, and will to God" (CD 189.2). ## Step 3: Set Aside Specific Days for Fasting and Prayer Designate particular days for this spiritual discipline. Ellen White counseled that God's people "should set aside days for fasting and prayer" (LDE 82). These should be intentional times when you can focus on seeking God without the usual distractions of daily life. ## Step 4: Practice Moderate Fasting with Simple Food Ellen White did not require complete abstinence from food. Instead, she advised: "Entire abstinence from food may not be required, but they should eat sparingly of the most simple food" (LDE 82). In another statement, she clarified: "Entire abstinence from food should not be required, but they should deny themselves the food they usually enjoy, and partake of [a] plain, simple diet" (13MR 330.2). The focus is on self-denial and simplicity, not extreme deprivation. ## Step 5: Combine Fasting with Earnest Prayer and Bible Study Fasting should always be accompanied by fervent prayer and searching the Scriptures. Ellen White noted that "fasting and fervent prayer to God have moved the Lord to unlock His treasuries of truth to their understanding" (CD 187.4). She also described how "when the time shall come, in the providence of God, for the world to be tested upon the truth for that time, minds will be exercised by His Spirit to search the Scriptures, even with fasting and with prayer, until link after link is searched out, and united in a perfect chain" (TSDF 51). ## Step 6: Maintain Humility and Avoid Self-Indulgence Throughout your fast, guard against pride or vanity. Ellen White warned: "No one should lift up his soul unto vanity, walking in self-indulgence and pride, for this is a time that demands genuine humiliation and most earnest prayer" (13MR 330.2). The fast should humble you before God, not become a source of spiritual pride. ## Step 7: Trust in God's Wisdom, Not Your Own As you fast and pray, remember that you are seeking God's guidance, not relying on your own understanding. Ellen White emphasized that God's people should be "not trusting in their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader" (LDE 82). The purpose is to align yourself with God's will and receive His direction. ## The Ongoing Practice Ellen White saw fasting and prayer as an ongoing discipline for God's people, especially as we approach the end of time. She wrote: "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" (LDE 82). This is not a one-time practice but a regular spiritual discipline to keep us spiritually alert and connected to God. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about the "true fast" that God has chosen in Isaiah 58? • How does fasting relate to seeking the Holy Spirit's power in our lives? • What role does fasting play in preparing for the final crisis and Christ's return?