Prayer and fasting are commonly practiced when there is a selection of office-bearers and the church wants to give time for godly reflection (see Acts 13:1–2). These office-bearers are then also committed to certain tasks; publicly the church acknowledges them as those who have been called to serve.1
23 Ils désignèrent des anciens dans chaque Eglise, et, après avoir prié et jeûné, ils les recommandèrent au Seigneur, en qui ils avaient cru.