Biblical fasting: what it is and what it's not
Jesus said:
"When you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." - Matthew 6:16This is an assumed statement Jesus makes to His followers, i.e. He does not say, "If you fast," but rather, He says, "When you fast," and yet many Christians turn a deaf ear or turn away when the subject of fasting is mentioned... even when our Lord mentions it!
I like what the following quote by Thomas a Kempis says:
"Jesus has many lovers of His kingdom of heaven, but he has few bearers of His Cross. Many desire His consolation, but few desire His tribulation. He finds many comrades in eating and drinking, but few hands who will be with Him in His abstinence and fasting... But those who love Jesus purely for Himself, and not for their own profit or convenience, bless Him as heartily in temptation and tribulation and in all other adversities as they do in time of consolation. And if He never sent them consolation, they would still bless and praise Him."
--Thomas a Kempis
- WHAT IS BIBLICAL FASTING?
The Bible gives reference to the subject of fasting many times. Included below are 18 examples re: Biblical fasting.
(1) WHY FAST?
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Fasting for insight and decision making |
Biblical Fasting (non Chronological order):
1. The Disciple's Fast - Fasting for freedom from demon oppression. Matthew 17:20,21.
2. The Apostle Paul Fast - Fasting for insight and decision making, Acts 9:9-19. If we fast to subject our will to God's, He will reveal His will in us.
3. The Ezra Fast - Fasting to solve problems, Ezra 8:21-23. If we fast for a specific purpose, we may solve a debilitating problem, e.g. to seek deliverance and protection from our enemies and travelling mercies. Fasting does not change whether God hears our prayers, but it can change our praying.
"Fasting is calculated to bring a note of urgency and importunity into our praying, and gives force to our pleading in the court of heaven." -- Arthur Wallis
4. The Samuel Fast - Fasting to win people to Christ, 1 Samuel 7:1-8. If we fast and pray for revival, God will pour Himself on His people.
5. The Elijah Fast - Fasting to break crippling fears and other mental problems, e.g. 1 Kings 19:2-18. Through fasting, God will show us how to overcome negative emotional and personal habits.
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| Fasting to loose the chains of injustice |
6. The Widow's Fast - Fasting to provide for the needy, 1 Kings 17:12. When we sacrifice our own physical needs, God enables us to focus on and provide for the needs of others.
7. The Daniel Fast - Fasting for health and physical healing, Daniel 1:12-20. When we fast for physical well-being, God will touch our bodies and enrich our souls.
8. The John the Baptist Fast - Fasting for an influential testimony on those around us in order to bring glory to God. Matthew 3:4 and Luke 1:15.
9. The Esther Fast - Fasting for protection from the evil one, Esther 4:16. If we fast for protection and deliverance from Satan, God will deliver us from evil.
10. The Judges Fast - Fast to gain clarity regarding God's timing and promises concerning the way He is leading. Judges Chapter 20:26-28 (best to read whole chapter however to gain picture).
11. The Ninevite Fast - Fast to express repentance from wickedness and to seek God's mercy and salvation. Jonah 3:5-8
12. The Isaiah Fast - Fast to loose the chains of injustice and to minister to the deepest needs of the poor in society. Isaiah 58:6-7 **
13. The Prophetess Anna Fast - A fast of complete dedication of love, worship and seeking God's glory. Fasting for the expectation of Biblical prophecy being fulfilled. Luke 2:37
14. Our Lord's Fast - To prepare for ministry / missions. Matthew 4:1-9
15. The Psalmist’s Fast - To concentrate on prayer on behalf of another /or others who are sick. Psalm 35:13
16. The Ahab Fast – The reaction of sorrow for the sinful acts of another / or others. 1 Kings 21:27
17. The Nehemiah Fast – The reaction of sorrow towards the oppression of God’s people. Nehemiah 1:4
18. The Joel fast - National repentance and turning to God for mercy. - Joel 2:12-15
** Please note: No's 1-12 above are recorded notes taken from a televised sermon by Jentezen Franklin.
(2) WHO CAN FAST?
Most cases of fasting in the bible were done individually, but some fasts were carried out by society as a whole, e.g.
Matthew 4, i.e. Jesus in the Wilderness – individuals
Nehemiah 1:4, i.e. Nehemiah – individuals
Psalm 35:13, i.e. David – individuals
Luke 5: 33-38; Matthew 6:16-18 - individuals
Judges 20:26 – society
Esther 4:16 – society
Jeremiah 36:9 – society
(3) WHAT LENGTH OF TIME IS INVOLVED IN FASTING?
Judges 20:26 - one day
Esther 4:16 - three days
Isaiah 31:13 - seven days
Matthew 4:2 - forty days
Matthew 9:14-15 - regular
(4) WHAT BIBLICAL FASTING IS NOT
(a) It is important to mention that during the many examples of fasting recorded in the Bible, prayer is very evident throughout. Prayer keeps us focussed on God during fasting.
Mere abstinence from food/and or drink without prayer is more likely to come under the category of 'detox' rather than Biblical fasting and is not, as some New Age followers state, "a spiritual experience" - at least not in the Biblical sense of the meaning!
Mere abstinence from food/and or drink without prayer is more likely to come under the category of 'detox' rather than Biblical fasting and is not, as some New Age followers state, "a spiritual experience" - at least not in the Biblical sense of the meaning!
(b) Fasting is not something which is carried out just for the sake of it. In each and every example recorded in the Word of God, there has always been good reason behind it, i.e. in each instance, the individual / or nation demonstrate a sincere and determined effort to focus upon God by means of going without food, water (in some fasts), and perhaps even sleep in order to demonstrate their seriousness in seeking God for whatever Biblical taught purpose they are led to fast concerning. True Biblical fasting therefore evidences a humbleness in spirit (which is an awareness of dependency upon God).
(c) Fasting is not something we perform for personal gain, i.e. fasting is not about trying to get God to change His mind about something. God does not change His mind regarding His will when we fast, e.g. the Psalmist David prayed for his dying son in the hope that God would spare his life. God did not spare David's son and the boy died; however, God did bring about a change in David's heart which enabled David to accept God's perfect will concerning the young child's death. When we fast therefore, we should do so to seek God's perfect will and to enable us to accept God's will.
(5) WHAT DOES GOD REGARD AS 'ACCEPTABLE' FASTING?
The Bible also mentions what is acceptable fasting, and what is not acceptable. What is undesirable is that one does not fast for the intention to promote strife, debate or to smite with the fist of wickedness (Isaiah 58:4); furthermore, Matthew 6:16 teaches us that when one fasts, they should not be of a sad appearance so as to make themselves appear righteous before others (such is prideful and has no Biblical recorded purpose). Rather, fasting is to be carried out secretly between an individual and God (unless a national fast is called for).
An example of a Biblical fast explained in detail, e.g. according to Isaiah 58:6-7 was intended to:
- loose the bands of wickedness
- undo the heavy burdens
- set the oppressed free
- break every yoke
- feed the hungry
- help the homeless
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Fasting to loose the chains of injustice |
When God’s guidelines were adhered to, according to Isaiah 58: 8-9, the resulting followed:
- health shall spring forth speedily
- righteousness shall go before you
- the glory of the Lord shall be your reward
- when you call the LORD then He will answer; when you cry He will say, "Here I am." (in other words, God's voice was heard clearly).
Finally, below is a testimony re: a whole nation seeking God via prayer and fasting, which I hope will really encourage you particularly in these days when Covid-19 is so severely affecting our nation and the world beyond.
After World War II, Stalin devised a plan to continue Hitler’s plan of exterminating the Jews. According to well-known sources, the church in the west became aware of it and began to meet and pray and fast for deliverance. Within a short period of time Stalin had a massive brain haemorrhage and despite the help of the best physicians and surgeons available to him, he could not be saved. Satan’s plan was thwarted by God’s people praying and fasting and the Hand of God intervening in response." -- Quote by Bennie Mostert & Peet Grobbelaar 'The Power of Fasting and Prayer.
IMPORTANT: For health reasons, some people may need to seek medical advice before embarking on a fast. Fasting may not be suitable for everyone. Always check with your doctor first if you fall into this category.
