What Is Fasting?
FASTING FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGHWhat is fasting?
Abstaining from something, usually food, for spiritual purposes.
What does the Bible say?
Examples: Moses (Exodus 34:28; Deut. 9:9,18), David (2 Samuel 12:16), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4); Esther (Esther 4:16), Daniel (Daniel 1:12), Anna (Luke 2:37), Paul (Acts 14:23), Jesus (Matthew 4:1-2), early church (Acts13:2)
- Jesus put fasting on the same level as financial giving and prayer (Matthew 6:1-18).
- Jesus said that there is a time for fasting (Matthew 9:15).
- Paul says we should give ourselves at times to prayer and fasting (1 Corinthians 7:5).
What is the purpose of fasting?
- The primary purpose of fasting is to focus on God and to center our attention on Him. In doing so, we glorify God (Zechariah 7:5).
- Outer fasting is to lead to inner prayer, worship, and devotion. We "fast on food so we can feast on God."
- Fasting is not for personal glory or any other selfish motives (Matthew 6:16-18).
- Secondary purposes of fasting: fasting can reveal non-essential things that control us and take precedence in our lives (1 Corinthians 6:12); fasting can increase the effectiveness of prayer (2 Samuel 12:16); fasting can bring guidance from God in decisions (Acts 14:23); fasting can bring revelations (Acts 13:2); fasting can help our physical wellbeing (Daniel 1:12); fasting can aid in concentration; fasting can help bring deliverance for those who are in bondage.
- But these benefits come only when fasting is our attempt to diligently seek God.
What are some different types of fasting?
- normal fast: only water, but no food or other drink (Nehemiah 1:4)
- partial fast: usually only water, juices, and sometimes fruit (Daniel 1:12)
- Lent fast: giving up something specific for the duration of Lent
- other things to fast from: people, media, telephone, certain activities/habits, etc.
