Fasting: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How

In the Old Testament the Jewish people fasted because they had to keep the Laws of Moses given to Him by God (613 Laws). One of those Laws was to practice fasting on the Day of Atonement called Yon Kippur (Lev. 16:19) 

This law (statue, ordinance, requirement) will always continue with your: On the tenth day of the 7^th month, you must: 

deny yourself (fast) Expanded Bible, afflict your souls NKJV, humble your soul 1599 Geneva Bible and you must not do any work.  The Jews set a day aside for the Atonement oof their sins by sacrificing a lamb by the shedding its blood. They fasted for one day from sundown to sundown. Their fasting was to show their obedience,  trust, and faith in God. 

Today Christians are not required to fast because of the work Jesus did on the cross. Jesus is the Lamb of God who died for all by shedding his blood on the cross Jn 1:29

What is Fasting?

Fasting according to Towns is a non-required discipline where you alter your diet for spiritual reasons which is usually accompanied with prayer. (Matt 6:17-18). Fasting is not a bargaining tool to use with God.  God I will do this (fast) if you do that. We are no longer under the Law of Moses, but under the Grace of God. 

Why Do We Fast?

Because of God’s grace to us we are not required to fast, but we are permitted and encouraged to fast. Why?  Fasting: 

1. Draws us closer to God to have a more intimate relationship with Him
2. Increases or faith in God
3. Develops our character for God

There are two ways to build a person up. The world’s way or God’s way. The world will go to the gym, lift weights, run, or eat special foods (diet) to build up the physical body.  God allows us to Fast and Pray go build up our spirit man or the inner spirit.

When Should We Fast?

When we pray, we know that God hears us, but many times our needs, petitions, problems, or concerns are so intense we need to draw closer to God and allow God to draw nearer to us.  God will honor our fast as he will examine your heart and your motives.   God hears Psalm 18:6,   Psalm 66:19, Dan 10:12

What Kind of Fast Should We Do? 

Your fast should match your cause, your problem, your distress, your need or your purpose.  Types of Fast to consider: 

1. Absolute Fast: Eliminating both solid food and liquids. This is the most intense fast used for severe problems, need for deliverance and/or protection form the enemy. 

Ester asked her Jewish family to employ this fast: Ester Ester4:16and Paul fasted when he was blinded on the road to Damascus Acts 9:9

1. Normal Fast: Eliminating solid foods but drinking liquids. Most common fast most Christians partake. 

Remember fasting is to afflict the flesh (causing some discomfort). We fast to please God not ourselves or others. Be comfortable about your fast, but let your fast be pleasing to God. Isa 58:3  

1. Partial Fast/Daniel Fast:  eliminating selected items from the diet or eliminating 

a selected meal. Daniel and the 3 Hebrews Boys would not eat form the king’s table; lavish foods which were prohibited by the Jewish law Dan 1:12. Again, Daniel fasted eating no meat, wine or pleasant food Dan 10:3 

1. Rotation Fast/Mayo Clinic Fast: Eating only one of the six food groups each day for six days for medical purposes. Used to rule out different medical conditions, mainly Allergies.

1. Supernatural Fast: Neither food or water for 40 days Moses on Mount Siani Exodus 34:28

How: How Long Should You Fast 

Just as God is not concerned with the length of our prayers he is moved by the sincerity of our prayers Matt 6:5  The same with fasting, God is looking at the sincerity of our hearts when we both fast and pray.  The length of time depends on the cause or need one has.  The most common length: 

1. One Day Fast: Yon Kippur from sundown to sundown
2. Three (3) Day Fast:  Choose the type you will use 
3. Ten (10) Day Fast/Daniel Fast 

Where Do I Fast: 

Fasting can be done in privately (individually) or public (corporate). Either way, wherever we fast, we are not fasting to impress anyone but GOD 

Private Fast: Jesus warned in Matt 6:17-18 when you fast anoint your head, wash your face, so that you don’t appear to men to be fasting, but to your father who is in the secret place; and your father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Public (Corporate) Fast When the Jews were faced with opposition, impossible circumstances, and wars the leaders called upon the people to God to come together and fast for the nation.  

Ezra 8:21,8:23 Ezra called on 4,000 to fast and pray when the Jews were returning to Jerusalem.  

2 Chron 20:3 Jehoshaphat was had 3 armies coming against him, the Ammonites, Moabites, and Menuites.  He did not know what to do and called the people together to fast

Ester 4:16 Ester called on the people of God to fast and pray for 3 days to prepare her to go before the king. 

Finally, as we fast consider these things: 

1. Wait: Wait on the Holy Spirit to comfort you and speak to you doing your quiet period of fasting: Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as a comforter and a helper Jn 14:16. Through Christ you will be able to endure your fast, gain inner strength and please God. I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me Phil 4:13
2. Worship: When the temptation comes to stop fasting or break your fast; worship God through song, praise, exalt Him, Thank Him, affirm who you are in Him.  Let your heart and mind focus on HIM, not your Hunger. Psalms 28:7
3. Pray:  Pray during the time you would be eating, pick certain times throughout the day to pray, Pray the Lord’s Prayer, Read Scriptures, create a list of people you want to pray for or a list of concerns, issues, problems, sickness to pray over. 

Source: The Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Elmer Towns (2001)