In over fifty references to fasting in the Old and New
Testaments, there is no specific command to fast, with the
exception of the Day of Atonement for the Jews. In the New
Testament it was assumed that fasting would be a part of the
normal devotional life of the believer.
Matthew 6:16 “When you fast do not look somber as the
hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men
they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received
their reward in full.”
Matthew 9:15 “Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of
the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will
come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they
will fast.’”
If these verses indicate that fasting should be a normal
discipline in the church (and the numerous examples of
fasting support the idea), then what does it mean to fast?
What is the purpose of fasting, and how does one go about
fasting?
1. Definition
of “Fasting”- going without food and sometimes water
voluntarily, generally for religious purposes. There are
four types of fasting referred to in the Bible.
a. a.
Normal fast, going without food for up to 40 days
(Exodus.34:28; Ezra 8:21,23; Daniel 6:18; Luke 2:37; Mark
2:18; Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:2-3; 14-23 and others).
b. Partial
fast, abstaining from certain foods (Daniel 10:3).
c. Absolute
fast, going without food or water no more than 3 days
(Esther 4:16; this is very rare in the Bible).
d. Voluntary
group fast, called for a specific reason for a specific
group of people (1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Jonah 3:5;
and others).
2. Purpose of Fasting
a. Worship-it
must be God-centered, God-initiated, and God-ordained
b. at
times, fasting is an expression of distress, grief, or
repentance
c. Fasting
is the preparation for God to give guidance and renewal
(Daniel 9; Ex. 24).
d. Fasting
reveals the things that control us that are sustained “by
every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
e. Fasting
reminds us that we are sustained “ by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God.”
f. Fasting
helps keep our balance in life (1 Corinthians 9:27; Psalm
35:13).
3. Practice of Fasting
a. For
an occasional fast, eat a light meal (fruit, vegetables,
yogurt, etc.) prior to beginning. Drink a lot of water. Skip
2-3 meals and break the fast with fruit juices followed by a
light meal. Avoid oils, dressings and starch for a couple of
meals.
b. when
starting a regular discipline of fasting, begin slowly with
a partial 24-hour (2 meal) fast once a week for several
weeks while drinking fruit juices.
c. Monitor
your inner attitudes and maintain a worshipful attitude.
d. Break
the fast with a light meal of fruits and vegetables.
e. After
a few weeks, try a normal fast, drinking lots of water only.
f. Always
be careful not to call attention to what you are doing.
g. After
succeeding with this for several weeks, move to a 36-hour (
3 meal) fast
h. Seek
the Lord regarding extended fasts. Get additional
information on conducting extended fasts and clear the fast
with your physician. (People with certain physical
conditions should not fast.)
i. Remember
that the major work of scriptural fasting is in the realm of
the spirit.
j. If
skipping meals is not possible, try fasting certain types of
foods (like sweets or soft drinks), or you can fast
activities (like TV or sports). It’s important to convert
that time to devotional activities, not just abstain from
them.
|
