What is Fasting?
When we fast, we deny ourselves things we love for something we love even more. Christians fast as a spiritual practice to deepen their relationship with God. Fasting is often done to connect with God, seek His guidance, and grow in humility.
Fasting can take many forms, such as taking a break from eating certain foods, social media, or other things we enjoy. The goal of fasting is to grow in our relationship with God.
Fasting is often connected to prayer and meditation. It can also be a way to learn self-control, humility, and to practice self-discipline.
Fasting can take many forms, such as taking a break from eating certain foods, social media, or other things we enjoy. The goal of fasting is to grow in our relationship with God.
Fasting is often connected to prayer and meditation. It can also be a way to learn self-control, humility, and to practice self-discipline.
What Does the Bible Say About Fasting?
Biblical fasting, unlike fasting for medical or health reasons, must be done with an attitude of seriousness and sincerity. When we fast, we willingly deprive the body of nourishment and the pleasurable taste of food. The body requires food for sustenance; therefore, our hearts and minds must be totally focused and directed toward God so that He may be the full source of our strength during our period of fasting.
Our hearts and minds must be totally focused and directed toward God so that He may be the full source of our strength during our period of fasting.
Fasting isn’t a performance for God or others. It’s an act of humble worship, so do your best to keep your fast private. It’s not necessary for others to know we are fasting; it is directed toward God (Matthew 6:17-18).
We should fast to further the building up of God’s kingdom by seeking to minister to others.
In addition to our attitudes toward God and our stance before man, our motives must also be correct. We should fast to further the building up of God’s kingdom by seeking to minister to others. The prophet Isaiah received from the Lord the acceptable motives for our fasts.
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter–when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Isaiah 58:6-7
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter–when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Isaiah 58:6-7
How Should We Fast?
Fasts may last for varying lengths of time–one day, three days, seven days, or more. We should prayerfully seek the Lord about the length of our fast. Fasting should have an object in mind; we should have a clear idea of the need and purpose.
If you choose to fast from food, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout your fast. If there’s a medical reason why you can’t fast from food, choose a different kind of fast.
If you choose to fast from food, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout your fast. If there’s a medical reason why you can’t fast from food, choose a different kind of fast.
Types of Fasts
- Selective Fast: This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.
- Partial Fast: This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food during a time of the day or a meal. This can correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.
- Complete Fast: In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
- Soul Fast: This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health issues that prevent you from fasting food, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fast.
Scriptures on Fasting
Scripture References for Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14
Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word: 1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 13:2
Corporate Fasting: 1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37
Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing (Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 14:12, 1 Corinthians 8:8, Matthew 18:9-14).
Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word: 1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 13:2
Corporate Fasting: 1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37
Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing (Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 14:12, 1 Corinthians 8:8, Matthew 18:9-14).