Jejum e oração
Jejum e oração são disciplinas espirituais que andam juntas. Jesus jejuou, os apóstolos jejuaram, e a Bíblia ensina que o jejum fortalece a oração e nos aproxima do coração de Deus.
O exemplo de Jesus
Jesus jejuou quarenta dias no deserto antes de iniciar seu ministério. Ele ensinou que certas coisas só acontecem com oração e jejum.
1 Then was Jesus conducted by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil.2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
20 Jesus answered, Because of your unbelief; for, indeed, I say to you, if you had faith, though but as a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this mountain, Remove to yonder place, and it would remove: yes, nothing would be impossible to you.21 This kind, however, is not dispossessed, unless by prayer and fasting.
16 Moreover, when you fast, look not dismal, as the hypocrites, who disfigure their faces, that men may observe that they fast. Indeed, I say to you, they have their reward.17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;18 that your fasting may not appear to men, but to your Father; and your Father, to whom, though he is unseen himself, nothing is secret, will recompense you.
16 Moreover, when you fast, look not dismal, as the hypocrites, who disfigure their faces, that men may observe that they fast. Indeed, I say to you, they have their reward.
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;18 that your fasting may not appear to men, but to your Father; and your Father, to whom, though he is unseen himself, nothing is secret, will recompense you.
2 where he continued forty days, and was tempted by the devil. Having eaten nothing all that time, when it was ended he was hungry:
O jejum nas Escrituras
Ao longo da Bíblia, grandes homens e mulheres de fé jejuaram em momentos decisivos — buscando a Deus com urgência e devoção.
O jejum que Deus escolheu
Isaías revela o jejum que agrada a Deus: soltar as cadeias da injustiça, libertar os oprimidos e repartir o pão com o faminto.
A igreja primitiva
Os apóstolos jejuavam antes de decisões importantes. O jejum acompanhava a consagração de líderes e o envio de missionários.
2 And as they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate to me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.
2 And as they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate to me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.
2 And as they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate to me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.3 And having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them; they dismissed them.
3 And having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them; they dismissed them.
3 And having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them; they dismissed them.
23 And when they had constituted elders for them, in every congregation, having prayed to God, with fasting; they committed them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
Praticando o jejum
Quando jejuares, unge a cabeça e lava o rosto. O jejum é entre você e Deus — não para impressionar os homens, mas para buscar ao Senhor.
37 and being now a widow about eighty-four years, departed not from the temple, but served God in prayer and fasting night and day;
33 Then they asked him, How is it that the disciples of John, and likewise those of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but yours eat and drink?34 He answered, Would you have the bridesmen fast, while the bridegroom is with them?35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them: in those days they will fast.
28 When Jesus was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we expel the demon?29 He answered, This kind can not be dislodged unless by prayer and fasting.
29 He answered, This kind can not be dislodged unless by prayer and fasting.
27 In labor and toil; in watching often; in hunger and thirst; in fastings often; in cold and nakedness.