Fasting

1 Samuel 31:13
And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

2 Samuel 1:12
And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

2 Samuel 12
¹⁶   David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

1 Kings 21:12
They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.

1 Chronicles 10:12
They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

2 Chronicles 20:3
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

Ezra 8:21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

Psalm 35:13
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

Isaiah 58:6
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Joel 1:14
Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,

Joel 2
¹⁴   Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
¹⁵   Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
¹⁶   Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

Matthew 4
¹   Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
²   And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Matthew 9
¹³   But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
¹⁴   Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
¹⁵   And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Matthew 17
²⁰   And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
²¹   Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Acts 13
¹   Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
²   As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
³   And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

1 Corinthians 7
⁴   The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
⁵   Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

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*Presents enlightenment on the foundational teaching of faith as was taught by Jesus Christ to obtain faith that removes mountains and receive spiritual gifts

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THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING

The importance of fasting is seen in the number of positive references in the Old and New Testaments.

There are over 30 positive examples, commands, and instructions in Scripture about fasting.

Judges 20:26--Israel fasted for victory in war.
1 Sam. 1:6-7--Hannah fasted for a son
1 Sam. 7:6--Israel fasted in repentance
1 Sam. 31:13--Men of Jabeshgilead fasted in mourning for Saul
2 Sam. 1:12--David and his men fasted in mourning for Saul, Jonathan, and the fallen of Israel
2 Sam. 12--David fasted for mercy upon his child
1 Kings 21:27--Ahab fasted for mercy
2 Chron. 20:3--Jehoshaphat and Israel fasted for help and protection
Ezra 8:21-23--Ezra and the people fasted for help and protection
Nehemiah 1:4--Nehemiah fasted in mourning and for help upon Jerusalem
Nehemiah 9:1,2--Israel fasting in mourning and repentance
Esther 4:16--Esther and friends fasted for victory
Esther 9:3--Fasting is mentioned as having had a role in the victory
Psalm 35:13,14--Fasting in prayer and mourning
Psalm 69: 10,11--Fasting in prayer and mourning
Isaiah 58:6-8--The fast which pleases God
Jeremiah 36:9--Israel fasted for mercy
Joel 1:14; 2:12,15--God commanded fasting and repentance
Jonah 3:5--The Ninevites fasted in repentance for mercy
Daniel 9:3--Daniel fasted for wisdom
Matthew 4:2--Jesus fasted when tempted in the wilderness
Matthew 6:17-18--Jesus promised that the Father would bless fasting
Matthew 9:14-15--Jesus said his disciples would fast
Matthew 17:21--Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic strongholds
Mark 9:29--Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic powers
Luke 2:37--Fasting was part of Anna’s service to God
Acts 13:2--Fasting was part of the ministry of the workers at Antioch
Acts 13:3--Ordination was accompanied by fasting Acts 14:23--Ordination was accompanied by fasting
1 Cor. 7:5--Fasting and prayer is the only proper reason for abstinence from the marital relationship
2 Cor. 6:5--Fasting was one way Paul approved himself as a minister of Jesus Christ
2 Cor. 11:27--Paul fasted often

These examples and instructions regarding fasting cannot be taken lightly. We are told that the examples of Scripture are as important as are its direct commands--1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4--and these verses speak specifically of the Old Testament examples. The Lord Jesus Christ is our Pattern (1 Pet. 1:21). Christ’s fasting during His temptation in the wilderness is our example, just as His prayers during the temptations in the garden are our examples. Also we are told that the Apostle Paul is to be imitated--Phil. 3:17; 4:9. Paul put before us the example of frequent fasting (2 Cor. 11:27).

The simple fact that the Holy Spirit chose to put before God’s people so many positive examples of fasting in itself reveals the importance of this spiritual practice.

Fasting is one of the ways whereby a minister of Christ approves himself.

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings” (2 Cor. 6:4-5).

Here, fasting is mentioned right alongside such things as patience, pureness, and knowledge. Paul obviously considered fasting to be a very important part of the ministry.

The Lord Jesus made a definite promise about fasting.

When one fasts in the proper manner for the proper reason, “the Father which seeth in secret SHALL reward thee openly” (Mat. 6:17-18). This is one of the most wonderful promises in the Bible and cannot be dismissed lightly. God would not make such a promise if He did not consider fasting important. Christ never discouraged proper fasting. He condemned and corrected false practices, but never did He discourage scriptural fasting. In fact, He took for granted that His followers would fast. In Matthew 6:17, He did not say, “IF thou fastest.” He said, “WHEN thou fastest.”

The Lord Jesus said very plainly that His disciples WOULD fast after His departure from the earthly scene.

“Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast” (Mat. 9:14-15).

Jesus never discouraged fasting. He practiced it and said His followers would practice it. Like all other aspects of spiritual living, Christ corrected false ideas and abuses surrounding fasting, but He did not discourage it nor treat it as something unimportant.

God’s choicest servants have practiced fasting throughout the centuries.

If fasting is unnecessary or unimportant, the Lord’s best people have been greatly misled in their thinking! Behold Samuel’s mother fasting while others were feasting (1 Sam. 1:6-7). Behold David, the man after God’s own heart, fasting. Behold Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and Mordecai, the godly king Jehoshaphat, Daniel, Samuel, Anna the prophetess, Paul--all fasting. Behold the Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, fasting. Christians today who practice fasting for biblical reasons are in excellent company! It is obvious that God’s people of all ages who fasted knew something which those today who do not fast, or who say fasting is unnecessary, or who relegate the practice to an Old Testament or Jewish custom, do not know.

Fasting and prayer is the only spiritual practice that is to interfere with the physical aspect of the marital relationship.

“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency” (1 Cor. 7:1-5).

God warns that husbands and wives must be careful to meet one another’s physical needs. This is one of the divinely ordained functions of marriage: “... to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2).Only one thing is to be allowed to break into regular sexual relationship between married couples, and that is fasting and prayer. Again, we note that the Bible does not command that Christians fast, but it takes it for granted that they will and sets out to regulate the practice.

Fasting is essential for the breaking down of certain demonic strongholds.

“And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall removed; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Mat. 17:18-21).

This should settle the question of whether or not fasting is an important part of the Christian life. The Lord Jesus said it is an essential part of spiritual warfare, and those who war against satanic strongholds know this to be a fact! There are indeed demonic strongholds that can be broken by NOTHING but prayer AND fasting.

WHEN SHOULD WE FAST?

1. Fast when sorely tempted (Mat. 4:2).
2. Fast when wisdom is earnestly desired (Dan. 9:3).
3. Fast when help and protection are needed (Ezra 8:21-23; 2 Chron. 20:3; Jer. 36:9).
4. Fast when victory is desired over strong demonic powers (Mat. 17:21; Mk. 9:29).
5. Fast when victory is desired in seemingly impossible situations (Est. 4:10-17; 9:31; Neh. 1:4).
6. Fast when something is earnestly desired from God and the answer has not come through prayer alone (1 Sam. 1:6-7).
7. Fast when in mourning for loved ones or the defeat of God’s people (2 Sam. 1:12).
8. Fast when new ministries are launched and when men go forth to proclaim God’s Word and battle spiritual enemies (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23).
9. Fast when involved in spiritual ministry (2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27)
10. Fast during times of special repentance, confession, and revival (Joel 1:14; 2:12; 2:15; Neh. 9:1-2).

WHY IS FASTING IMPORTANT?

Fasting is important because of spiritual warfare (Mat. 17:21).

When we fast, we are not forcing God to do something but are resisting supernatural strongholds and powers. Someone might say, “Why is this necessary when Christ has all power?” I do not know the answer to this question, but I do know that Christ said, “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

Fasting demonstrates the earnestness and desire of the heart--Heb. 11:6.

God sees the hearts of men, but the Bible says He requires open evidence of the heart’s desire--Joel 2:12. “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”

This is seen in Abraham’s offering of Isaac. God knew that Abraham would obey and give up the beloved son, but He required Abraham to go through with the act up to the very point of driving the knife into Isaac’s heart. Only then did God say, “For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me” (Gen. 22:12).

Fasting can be seen as one way of evidencing the earnestness and sincerity of our hearts toward God in matters of prayer. We can say that such things as fasting are not necessary since God knows our hearts, but examples such as the one about Abraham and his son show that God does require evidence of our faith and earnestness.

Fasting helps keep the body under subjection.

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

The body continually desires its own way. Its lusts cry out for fulfillment, and the process of fasting is in itself a subduing of the bodily appetites. The Apostle Paul knew that big battles are won through victory in small skirmishes, and wars are won through victory in individual battles. Daniel first had to conquer the small skirmish of his own bodily appetites as a young man before he could conquer the larger battle of refusing to obey the solemn law of the king regarding prayer as an old man. Victory had to be gained over food before victory could be gained over the lions.

This is one reason so few church members attend prayer meetings. Too often, we haven’t won the victory of prayer in our daily lives. Too often, we aren’t in the regular habit of subduing the flesh in order to serve the Spirit. The Bible says Eli the priest was fat (1 Sam. 4:18). He did not subdue his bodily craving for rich food. The fearful truth is that his carelessness in the area of food carried over into every area of his life and ministry. He allowed his bodily craving for sleep to keep him from maintaining the lamp in the tabernacle through the night. The lamp went out each night, although it was to be kept lit. The failure to subdue his own body was kin to and connected with his failure to discipline his sons. God said that Eli loved the fat offerings just as much as his wicked sons did (1 Sam. 2:29). Eli was not committing immorality with the women at the door of the tabernacle as his sons were, but his unsubdued love for food and ease was hurtful to his ministry. Eli should have been fasting and working instead of feasting and sitting!

HOW LONG IS A BIBLICAL FAST?

The Bible sets no specific time length for fasting. Daniel fasted 21 days. Esther and Mordecai fasted 3 days and nights. The Lord Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness. But frequently the Bible simply does not say how long people fasted. We are not told, for example, how long Ezra fasted before making the journey to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:21-23). Fasting must be a matter of individual freedom under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It can be one meal or many meals, according to the need of the hour and the direction of God. Romans 14 speaks of this sort of thing and says, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5).

WHAT IS A BIBLICAL FAST?

Again, there are no rigid guidelines for fasting. In Daniel’s fast of 21 days, we are told that he ate “no pleasant bread, nor flesh, nor wine” (Dan. 10:3). Apparently, Daniel did eat something, but he abstained from pleasant foods. God has not given specific instructions about fasting because it is to be a private matter between an individual and the Lord. A nursing mother, for example, would be unwise to go entirely without food for any significant length of time, because not only is she dependent upon that food, but her infant is also. God has promised, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psa. 32:8). This precious promise applies to fasting. When should you fast? For how long? What should you abstain from as you fast? God will lead you very personally and clearly in all of these things if you are walking in fellowship with Him.

While the Bible does not spell out every detail of fasting, it does give the following basic guidelines, as follows:

Abstinence from food and normal physical pleasures (Dan. 10:3; 1 Cor. 7:5).

Note again that Daniel did not abstain from food completely, but only from “pleasant bread.” From this example, we see that there are many ways of observing a fast. One can abstain entirely from all foods and drinks, or abstain only from those that are more tasteful and desirable. This apparently is what Daniel did. Scriptural fasting is a private and special matter between an individual and God. God might lead us to observe a fast one way at a particular time and an entirely different way another time. Some who have medical problems such as diabetes have asked me how they can fast. I believe it is possible for such a person to fast by determining before God to abstain from certain favorite foods and pleasures for a specified period.

Prayer

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer AND fasting” (Matt. 17:21).

Biblical fasting is always connected with an increased attention to prayer and communion with God. Fasting divorced from prayer is not biblical fasting.

Confession of sins

“And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from the precepts and from thy judgments: Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land” (Dan. 9:3-6; see entire chapter).

Biblical examples of fasting are often connected with periods of special repentance and confession of sins.

Service toward God (Isaiah 58:6-8).

Christian fasting is temporary abstinence from food and perhaps other physical pleasures in order to concentrate on a definite spiritual problem or need. It is not a ritual to be performed in a superstitious manner, hoping that the very act of going without food would bring some form of blessing, but is a special period of devotion toward God in prayer and abstinence of normal pleasures for a clear objective.

DOES IT MATTER IF WE FAST?

If fasting is an individual, private matter, something not specifically commanded by God, is it really important? Can’t it simply be left undone? No! The Lord Jesus Christ said that there are spiritual battles that can be won by NOTHING but by prayer AND fasting--not prayer alone, but prayer AND fasting. This means spiritual, biblical fasting is essential at times for victory over the enemy.

Paul no doubt considered fasting essential for victory in ministry and life. It is doubtful that he received some strange enjoyment from going without meals.

What if we were to ask Hannah if fasting is essential. What would she reply? Surely, she would tell us that fasting is important. Was it not through prayer with fasting that God gave her the son she so longed for?

And what would we hear from Esther and Mordecai? Why didn’t she call a prayer meeting rather than going to the trouble to fast three days and three nights? Her reply most doubtless would be, that prayer alone is not always enough. There are spiritual victories that cannot be won without prayer and fasting.

Ezra, too, would certainly add his Amen to the truth that fasting is sometimes essential for victory. Why didn’t he just gather the people together at the river of Ahava and have a few hours of prayer without the sacrifice of fasting? Apparently, he felt that it would require fasting as well as prayer for safety in travel through those dangerous lands? “So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us” (Ezra 8:23).

But what do these ancient events have to do with Christians who live in these busy, modern times? “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:11).

Proclaim A Fast!

Fasting For Renewal, Revival And Power In The Church Today

by R. Maurice Smith, M.A.

Chapter 3 - Biblical Fasting

            A study of biblical fasting quickly reveals several surprising things. For example, it reveals that God is not a “legalist” when it comes to the practicalities of fasting. He honors many different types of fasts engaged in for a variety of reasons and purposes. In other words, there are no “hard and fast rules” for fasting. God is more concerned with the attitude of our hearts than He is with the content of our stomachs. This reality must be our starting point in any fasting.

            As we approach the practical aspects of fasting, such as differing types and lengths of fasts, we want to avoid looking for fasting “rules” and rather look for some practical “principles” for biblical fasting. A “principle” is a truth drawn from Scripture (i.e., “what does this mean?”) with an eye toward practical life application (“How do I apply this?”). A “rule” is often a Scriptural principle that has degenerated into legalism. Such rules are usually well intentioned but poorly applied.

Categories and Types of Fasting

            The Christian Church in its various traditions has almost always recognized the discipline of fasting, although such recognition has often times degenerated into legalism and regulation.

            But in those Christian traditions where fasting has been recognized there have been attempts made by theologians and canonists (theologians who specialize in church law and regulation) to categorize the different types of fasting. In general terms, theologians have acknowledged four categories or kinds of Christian fasting.[i][i]

            Spiritual Fasting. This is the spiritual discipline that God requires of every believer. It is the inward condition of life that abstains from sin and forbidden pleasures, and may or may not be accompanied by the outward fasting from food. It was this type of fasting that Clement of Alexandria described when he said, “Fastings signify abstinence from all evils whatsoever, both in action and in word, and in thought itself.” [ii][ii]

            The contemporary version of Spiritual Fasting is to “fast” or abstain from the distractions and temptations of modern culture.[iii][iii]  As Catholic author Arthur Michael Ramsey commented very early in this debate, “I often think the doctrine of fasting in Lent and having meatless days are old fashion . . . . It might be better to give up television. That would be a more meaningful self-denial in this day and age.”

            This type of fasting often requires personal examination and introspection to identify areas of our lives that are detracting from our walk with God. Is there a personal habit that is detracting from my public  testimony for Christ? Are my business, my job, my lifestyle, my language, my attitudes, my money management, my entertainments contributing to or detracting from my walk with God and my testimony for Christ? Is the Holy Spirit urging me to “fast” or abstain from any one of these or other things as a form of “Spiritual Fasting?”

            Moral Fasting. This second category of fasting means literal fasting from food for the purpose of disciplining the flesh, humbling the soul before God, expressing repentance from sin and other biblical reasons and purposes that we will explore in greater detail in later chapters of this book. 

            Ecclesiastical Fasting. This third category includes all of the official “fasting days” of a particular Church, such as the Church of England, the Catholic Church, or the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Ecclesiastical Fasting would include and refer to such official “fast-days” as Ash Wednesday, Lent, Good Friday, Ember Days, Rogation Days and any other officially appointed “fast days” within that particular Church tradition. [iv][iv]

            Natural Fasting. This fourth and final type of fasting is sometimes referred to as “sacramental” or “Eucharistic fasting” and has to do with a person fasting prior to receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Although no longer a requirement in either Anglican nor Catholic fellowships, there was a tradition for many years of requiring individuals to fast during the day (usually only in the morning) prior to receiving communion.[v][v]

            These are the ways in which theologians have traditionally categorized fasting. These four categories are neither good nor bad. They can occasionally be useful in helping us to  understand the broader implications and applications of the Biblical teachings regarding fasting. What we now want to do is to examine how Scripture defines the different types of Biblical fasting.

The Different Types of Biblical Fasting?

            There appear to be three main forms, types or categories of fasting in Scripture, each involving a literal abstinence from food and/or water.

The Normal Fast

            Definition: The “Normal Fast” refers to abstaining from all forms of food, but not from water. It means to not eat, but does not mean to not drink. The normal fast does not involve or require a specific length, although there appears to be common agreement in the rabbinical and early church literature that “normal” fasting meant to not eat from sunrise to sunset. This also suggests that “normal” fasting meant to fast for one day, from sunrise to sunset. A normal fast could mean fasting for one day or for several days. No specific length is required.

            Examples:  The normal or regular fast can be seen practiced in several scriptural examples. In Genesis 24:32-33 Abraham’s servant refuses a meal (he fasts for a meal) until he has revealed his business to Abraham’s relatives in order to confirm what appears to be God’s will concerning a wife for Isaac. In 1 Samuel 20:34 Jonathan fasted for a day on behalf of David and his honor.

            Fasting Definition: “Normal” fasting means to not eat.

The Absolute Fast

            Definition: The “Absolute Fast” refers to abstaining from both food and water. This is the fast reserved for “spiritual emergencies.”  It pushes the length of human endurance. The human body can go a long time without food. Fasts of up to 49 days without food or bodily harm have been recorded. But the body begins to suffer the eventually fatal effects of dehydration after three days without water. The absolute fast can last for a maximum of three days, but this is not required. An absolute fast for a day (such as from morning until evening) or two days can be greatly used of God.

            Examples: The best known “absolute” fast is found in Esther 4:16. The survival of the Jewish remnant in Persia is at stake, and Esther must take the risk of appearing before the King uninvited. The result could be her own death, and the destruction of her people. So she instructs Mordecai, “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.” Desperate times and spiritual emergencies call for desperate measures before the Throne of Grace. The absolute fast is a desperate call by the people of God to which God always responds.

            It was an absolute fast that Saul of Tarsus engaged in while waiting in Damascus after encountering the risen Christ (Acts 9:8-9). Desperate to know the will of God, Saul did what desperate saints have always done; he fasted absolutely for three days and nights, going without food or water.

            Fasting Definition: An “Absolute” fast means to neither eat nor drink.

The Partial Fast

            Definition:  The “Partial Fast” refers to an intentionally  restricted diet rather than total abstention. This is sometimes referred to as the “Pleasant Foods Fast.” The “Partial Fast” is one of the most flexible in all of Scripture. It means that an individual commits himself or herself to a restricted diet or a restricted eating schedule for the purpose of seeking God through fasting. It is the purpose of partial fasting to seek God and His will that distinguishes a “partial fast” from a vegetarian diet or some other restricted diet undertaken for other purposes ranging from low-choelestrol to weight control. Dieting is not the same thing as fasting!

            In his biography of Rees Howell, entitled Rees Howell Intercessor, Norman Grubb describes how God impressed upon Rees Howell, early in his ministry, that Howell was to begin fasting for one meal every day. The Welsh people of Howell’s day were accustomed to eating four meals every day.  “The Lord called him to a day of prayer and fasting, which was something new to him. Used as Rees was to a comfortable home and four good meals a day, it came as a shock to realize that it meant no dinner, and he was agitating about it. And would it only happen once? Supposing God asked him to do it every day?” [vi][vi] Indeed, God did call him to fast for dinner every day for some time, and to devote that hour to prayer. This is a form of partial fasting.

            When preparing to teach a six week class on the ministry of prayer and fasting I sensed the Lord telling me to fast during that time by eating only one light meal in the evening. God honored the time by using the class  to sow the seed for a ministry of fasting, prayer and intercession in our Church.

            Examples:  The most famous example of partial fasting occurs in the book and life of Daniel.  In Daniel 10:2-3 we find the prophet Daniel fasting for three weeks. This was a partial fast. Daniel tells us, “I did not eat any ‘tasty’ food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth.” The phrase “tasty food” can be translated “desirable bread” or “pleasant food.” We do not know why Daniel didn’t engage in a “normal” fast. Perhaps his duties as a state official precluded this. But God makes provision for our needs and circumstances as we seek Him. Daniel restricted his diet and “fasted.” God honored this three weeks of fasting by releasing to Daniel one of the greatest spiritual revelations of the Old Testament. Partial fasting should not be ignored or looked down on as “less spiritual” than a “normal” fast.

            Fasting Definition: A “partial” fast means to abstain from normal eating and to eat a restricted diet.

The Length and Timing of Fasts

            There is a basic “fasting principle” which says, “The longer the fast, the stronger the fast.” Fasting often means walking with God “from strength to strength” as time progresses. This is in no way absolute, and God honors all fasting undertaken at His direction in an attitude of seeking Him.

            1. Short (one or two meal) fasts - Genesis 24:32-33; 2 Samuel 1:11-12

            2. One day fasts - Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:5-6; 20:34; Ezra 9:5

            3. Three day fasts - Esther 4:15-16; Acts 9:8-9

            4. Seven day fasts - 1 Samuel 31:11-13; 2 Samuel 12:16 & 18

            5. Twenty-one day fasts - Daniel 10:2-3

            6. Forty day fasts - Exodus 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8; Luke 4:1-2

            7. Fasts of unspecified length - 1 Samuel 1:7; 1 Kings 13:8-9; 21:27

            Conclusion: There is no required length of time for any particular type of fasting.

Practical Fasting Matters

            Fasting is a spiritual discipline that easily falls victim to extreme views and practices. You and I can quickly fall victim to self-imposed legalism. Consider these questions. How often should you fast? One day per week? Twice per week? How much fasting is enough? How long is long enough? One day? Seven days? Forty days? Will God condemn me if I “cheat” by eating a potato chip? I know I can drink water while fasting, but what about fruit juice, or something like a “V-8" vegetable juice?  Does occasional “cheating” ruin my fast so that God doesn’t honor or hear me? Does God honor a one-day fast more than a one-meal fast? If I am a diabetic (or have some other chronic health problem that affects my metabolism) does this mean that I am a “second class” Christian because I can’t engage in some types of fasting. Or worse, am I a Christian of “little faith” because I won’t risk endangering my health by fasting?

            Yes, I have heard all of these questions answered in the most extreme ways by well intentioned (but poorly informed) people seeking to explain the “rules” of fasting. As someone who has fasted often over several years, allow me to share a few of my “Fasting Observations” (I started to label these “Fasting Rules” but realized that someone would then accuse me of “legalism”!).

            Before we look and these “Fasting Observations” the following observation from an early Church Father seems more balanced than much contemporary advice on this subject. St. John Chrysostom (circa 388) addressed similar questions in the fourth century church, “If your body is not strong enough to continue fasting all day, the wise man will reprove you; for we serve a gentle and merciful Lord who expects nothing from us beyond our strength.”[vii][vii]

            Fasting Observation # 2:  God is not a legalist, and you shouldn’t be one either!

            Adherence to the Law never saved anyone and obedience to the Law has never sanctified anyone. Fasting is not a new legalism for attaining salvation, sanctification or any spiritual standing. When done with an attitude of obedience and worship, of confessing our sins and humbling ourselves before the God who already loves us and Who has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ, then it is a means of entering into renewed fellowship with Him, of imploring His Throne of Grace for fresh blessing, and of knowing His good and perfect will for our lives, a will and purpose which He earnestly desires to reveal to us. As Charles Haddon Spurgeon liked to say, the Christian life, including the discipline of fasting, is All Of Grace.

            Fasting Observation # 3:  God is more concerned with the attitude of our hearts than He is with the contents of our stomachs

             Or how long it has been (hours, days or weeks) since our last meal. Fasting, of whatever type and length, is a gracious mystery where the believing soul seeks its God, and the child seeks fellowship with its Heavenly Father. We fast, because we desire to know Him and to bless Him by the very act of our seeking Him (Jeremiah 33:3). Listen to what St. Jerome observed regarding our attitudes in fasting:

“If you have fasted for two days, do not think yourself better than one who has not fasted. You fast and are peevish; the other eats and is pleasant. You work off your irritability and hunger by quarreling; the other eats and gives thanks to God.”[viii][viii]

            Fasting Observation #4: There are no “fasting rules” which if broken by occasional “cheating” render your fast ineffective.

            Forgive me for repeating myself, but this lesson needs to sink in. 

            Fasting Observation #5: There are no rules about which type of fast or length of fast to undertake for a specific purpose or need. 

            We humans tend to want “rules” which tell us specifically how to do something. As a result we create such labels as an “Elijah Fast” or a “Daniel Fast” or a “John the Baptist” fast. But scripture resists any such labels. For example there is no “Elijah Fast.” As we will see in Chapter 12, Elijah did indeed fast for forty days on his way to Mt. Horeb, but he failed to learn the lesson that God intended to reveal to him. In essence, his fasting failed to accomplish God’s intended result. Nor is there a “Daniel Fast.” Daniel merely engaged in a partial fast that lasted for twenty one days and resulted in both great spiritual warfare and great revelation regarding the purposes of God for Israel. And as for John the Baptist, Scripture informs us that he fasted, but we are never told what type of fast, how long he fasted, how often he fasted or even why he fasted. We should beware of any fixed formula for fasting. There are none. 

            When it comes to the type, length and timing of fasts, Scripture is tremendously flexible. We are free to adapt the spiritual discipline to our lifestyle, our needs and our circumstances. In Appendix B you will find a complete listing of every major Biblical passage regarding fasting. As you read these passages you will discover believers in everyday situations and problems. They respond to those problems with fasting and prayer. One person fasts for a single meal, while someone else fasts for a day, until evening. David fasts for seven days for the life of his son (who eventually dies), while Esther, Mordecai and the Jews of Susa fast absolutely for three days and nights. Fasting is as varied and flexible as the situations and problems which we face in our personal lives and circumstances.

Prayer of Application

“Heavenly Father, thank you that you are the God of our hearts and our bodies. You want us to worship you in spirit and in truth. So, deliver us, Lord,  from the “false fire” of legalism in fasting. Examine us, Lord, and give us hearts that worship you in spirit-led prayer and fasting, whether it is for a meal, for a day or longer. We acknowledge that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Give us Spirit-filled liberty to worship you with our bodies through fasting. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”

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