2009-09-23T14:24:21-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com /feeds/topics/fasted/ http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra%208:23&version=NIV 2009-09-23T14:24:21-05:00 Ezra writes that the Israelites fasted and petitioned God for a safe journey. He says that God answered their prayer. http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204:1-3&version=NIV 2009-09-10T17:05:43-05:00 The practice of fasting is employed by believers throughout the Bible as a way of re-focusing their minds on God, repenting of sin, and reminding themselves that God provides for our needs.