Puasa

The voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes — prayer, repentance, seeking God's guidance, or preparing for ministry. Moses fasted forty days on Sinai (Exodus 34:28). David fasted when his child was ill (2 Samuel 12:16). Esther called a three-day fast before approaching the king (Esther 4:16). Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness before his temptation (Matthew 4:1-2) and taught his disciples how to fast without hypocrisy (Matthew 6:16-18). The early church fasted before making important decisions (Acts 13:2-3, 14:23). Fasting expresses dependence on God and intensifies spiritual focus.