A Biblical And Practical Look A

A Biblical and Practical Look at Fasting

A few years ago I heard some things about fasting, and I because I was fairly ignorant on the subject I decided to investigate whether it was something to be concerned about. I wanted to look at it from God’s viewpoint, so I began a study. I had some help from a friend whose experience and advice on the matter I valued. Prayer:I trust that what you may gain will be guided by the H.S. as I give Him credit for ultimate truth.

Let’s look at some questions that I asked myself, and seek some Biblical answers.

Should we fast today?
If so, what should be our purpose in fasting?
Practically speaking how do I go about it —
1. How long should it last?
2. Does it mean I don’t eat or drink anything?
3. Should I do anything different while I’m fasting, and if so, what?
4. How often should I fast?

SCRIPTURAL DEFINITION: Varies from not eating food to

neither eating or drinking. DICTIONARY DEFINITION: “1. To abstain from all food. 2. to eat only sparingly or of certain kinds of food.”

We all fast from evening, or when we go to bed, until morning. When we get up in the morning most people “break” the fast with breakfast. The nights’ sleep is a built-in way that God provides for our bodies to have a rest and take care of other chores. But what about a fast during the day as well, as mentioned in the Bible?

That takes us to the first question “SHOULD WE FAST TODAY?”, what do the Scriptures teach concerning fasting for the Church Age?

The Church was fasting in Antioch when the Holy Spirit separated out Barnabas and Paul for their ministry.

Prophets and teachers in the Church were fasting while ministering to the Lord…and praying, in Acts 13:28.

Paul and Barnabas fasted with prayer in Acts 14:23 when they were ordaining elders in setting up churches in Lystra, Derbe, Iconium, & Antioch.

In 2Cor.11:27, Paul reports that he had fasted often. In 1Cor.7:5, Paul taught that in marriage we should not deprive one another except by agreement for a time that we may devote ourselves to fasting(KJV) and prayer.

It is recorded in three of the Gospels (Mt.9:15, Mk.2:20, Lk.5:35), that Jesus said His disciples would fast after the bridegroom was taken away. We know that Jesus was speaking of himself as the bridegroom who is to be married to his bride, the Church.

In reference to what he said, his disciples were depicted as guests at His wedding, and his listeners knew that a Jewish wedding is a joyous occasion of feasting and celebration that sometimes would go on for a week. That was certainly not an occasion for not eating or for mourning, as many at that time attached to the custom of fasting.

I can not find anywhere that fasting should be discontinued, nor that it was for certain people or for a certain time period only. I have to ask, aren’t the examples of fasting, and Jesus’s teaching just as valid for us today as other teaching from the Scriptures?

I believe we should fast today not just because other people have fasted, but because it is a Godly principle that is taught in Scripture. As we shall see soon, a Godly fast shows an earnest desire to draw close to God. And that brings me to my second question—

WHAT SHOULD BE MY PURPOSE FOR FASTING?

There are many different examples given in the Scriptures for fasting. Not all of them were pleasing to God however. God said to Israel Zechariah 7:7, “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months, during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me–for Me?'” And in Isaiah 58 God also makes his displeasure known to their cries that they have fasted and He has not answered. They seem to think that God must respond to them just because they fast and cry and mourn. God responds that their afflicting of their soul, and their pretense of being humble, by bowing their head, or wearing sackcloth and ashes, is not what He wants. It is like the hypocrites that Jesus condemned in Matt.6:16, where he said “they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast”. They were faking it to appear to be Godly, but were not repenting or turning to God. More than one commentator suggests that there were apparently certain fast days which they had turned into a holiday and enjoyed themselves and the “time off” so to speak. God essentially said “you are just going through the motions of fasting while doing as you please”.

So what is the fasting that God wants? Let’s look at some ex.

In the case of Moses on Mt. Sinai he was consumed by being in the presence of God and he probably had no thought or need of eating. While fasting he was receiving instructions from the Lord. Ex.34:28
Saul, who became Paul, was blinded and did not eat or drink for 3 days. He probably was also receiving instructions from the Lord during this time, but what we are told is that he was also praying. Acts 9:9-11
Jesus also was putting spiritual matters first and did not resort to the temptation of physical hunger when challenged by the devil. Mt.4:1-4
Ezra proclaimed a fast “that they might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.” And he says God answered their prayer. Ezra 8:21-23
The Lord told Joel to “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping and mourning.” This is an appeal to the people to be sorrowful for their sin, and to turn from their sin and seek God. Joel 2:12
Fasting with prayer was being practiced in the New Testament by prophets, teachers, and the Apostles, as recorded in Acts. They were reported to be ministering to the Lord, setting up Churches, and commending people to Christ. In one case the Holy Spirit stepped in to give instructions. Acts 13:2, 14:23
Luke tells us of a widow who served God in the temple with fastings and prayers night and day. Lk.2:37
Fasting connected with prayer for the purpose of seeking a close walk with God is also found in Daniel, Nehemiah, 2Chronicles, the Psalms, and elsewhere.

I HAVE COME UP WITH THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES FOR A GODLY FAST.

A fast should honor God. It should express a genuine sorrow for sin and humility toward God.
It is a time to repent and to pray.
It is a time to meditate and seek God’s guidance through His word.
It is a time to put God before our physical desires (He will supply our needs).
It is a time to pause from our “busy-ness” and get our spirit in agreement with the Holy Spirit of God.
According to Isa.58:6&7, it is a time to reach out to the oppressed and to share what we have with the poor and needy.

In Isa.58:8 God says “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you;”

The main theme for fasting seems to be combined with prayer for seeking God’s help or guidance. I’m ready now for my 3rd question which has several parts.

#3. Practically speaking how do I go about it — and

How long should a fast last? I have found only seven fasts reported in the Scriptures that were longer than one day. Two were the forty day fasts. (Ex.34:28 & Mt.4:2). One lasted fourteen days (Acts 27:33), one for seven days (1Sa.31:13 & 1Chron.10:12-same fast), one for four days (Acts 10:30), and two for three days (Esther 4:16 & Acts 9:9). Maybe you can find another, but the great majority of fasts reported are for one day, or sometimes possibly even less.

The two instances of a 40 day fast, were by Moses and Jesus. These were both for special purposes, by special people chosen by God and under God’s direct command so to speak. I would not suggest that anyone attempt such a fast.

There are only four fasts that specifically state both no food or water, and these were by Moses, Jesus, Saul, and the one called by Esther.

Fasting most often would seem to mean only food. On a one day or longer fast, going without liquids could be dangerous, and I would personally recommend against it.

For persons with medical conditions or special diets, it may not be advisable to fast. However, in most cases a shorter or partial fast could be tried (eliminating certain foods or eating lightly). REMEMBER, It is the willingness and desire of the heart that God wants, and God’s type of fast in Isa.58:6,7 doesn’t even mention food, except in the sense of sharing our bread with the hungry. It does hold to the giving up of something however, in order to give aid to someone else.

In answer to how long we should fast, Scripture indicates that one day is most common and anything longer would be for some special calling or work that God would place upon you.

Certainly a fast can be set for any appropriate length of time to accommodate individual circumstances. For a person in good health a 24 hour fast is neither unreasonable nor medically dangerous, even though mild hunger pains may occur. Is that too great a sacrifice for spending time with our Lord, who loves us, and suffered for us, and owns us?

What about my question concerning what to do when I’m fasting. Simply going on a secular fast and doing nothing different may be beneficial, but unless we have a plan to serve God or use this time gained to be with Him, it is nothing more. Fasting, by skipping a meal or two will free up time to pray, to study the Bible, to meditate on God’s word, or to serve God by helping someone else.

On the question “How often should I fast?”, I think that is up to you and God. There were days set aside as fast days in the Old Testament, and then there were fasts called by God, by prophets, by kings, and by God’s servant Esther. In the New Testament there is no regular time. It seems to be for a special time of calling upon God or in a couple of cases instituted by God. A Pharisee claimed to fast twice in the week (Lk.18:12), but this was putting on an appearance for the praise of men. Rather than adopt a once a week, or month, or year, it might be better to first seek God by fasting and praying and be open to His leading concerning how often.

To summarize, yes, I believe the Scriptures teach that we should fast today. In my first study I thought the purpose was for prayer and getting to know God better. These are certainly vital things that we do during the fast, but not the underlying purpose as I see it now.

You may wonder what the difference is between praying and studying the Bible and all these other things while fasting, and doing the same things, but not fasting. I believe fasting is a manner approved by God to place an emphasis of what we are doing. To put it another way, it is letting God know that He is really more important than physical nourishment. I am reminded of when David bought the threshing floor from Ornan and Ornan wanted to give his oxen, wheat, and grain to David for the sacrifice. David said “I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.” (1Chronicles 21:23-25) The principle of giving up something is evidently a way of showing sincerity to God. But not just anything, it is a manner established by God in His word. I believe the length of time is up to you and God, but would recommend starting with one or two meals and work up to 24 hours. Whether you eliminate food or food and liquids is up to you again, but for more than one or two meals you will probably be wise to allow yourself to have water or fruit juice during the fast.

During our fast I believe we should pray, study God’s word to know Him better and to know His will. We should look for ways that God is directing us to apply Scripture in our own lives, and to help others.

And as for the frequency, that is again up to you and God.

If fasting was a bit unfamiliar to you before, I hope now that you will feel more comfortable and maybe even want to have a go at it. I’m going to suggest some guidelines that may be of further help if you wish to plan a fast.

PREPARATION

Make a conscious decision to fast and pray, writing down the primary purpose.
Set a definite time to start and end the fast. Try not to let yourself become discouraged or distracted during a fast. Remember you will be engaging in spiritual warfare and should expect increased attacks of many sorts to keep you from being obedient.
If persons in the family will be affected, it would be advisable to tell them so they will understand why you wish to be alone, undisturbed, and not joining in the family meal(s).
It may be helpful to listen to some quieting music before you begin or the evening before, but the TV and other types of worldly excitement would be best avoided.

IMPLEMENTATION

5. If you are beginning in the morning, you should get up with a desire to get started. According to Mt. 6:16 & 17, we are first told what not to do, and what to do. Jesus said “be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.” Then He said “anoint thine head and wash thy face.” We are not be appear mournful, but rather, to be refreshed.

6. Seek a quiet place where uninterrupted prayer and meditation is possible, which suggests the need to get away from the telephone and TV, or leaving them unplugged. There will be many excuses and interruptions to break up your fellowship unless you are adequately prepared. It may be necessary to care for some things, such as children, or a sick person, but when you begin to compromise, soon the nonessential things consume all of your time.

7. Confession of any unconfessed sin and repenting from allowing it to have any further influence in your life should be a first step. You want to be as right with God as you can be.

8. Praising and acknowledging God for who he is, is another essential step. You want to dwell on how great and wonderful He is.

9. You want to thank God for all the blessings and privileges he has bestowed upon you.

10. Supplication should be approached after confession with repentance, praise, and thanksgiving. We need to be careful of getting sidetracked and involved in too many needs for the time allotted. As we pray, many times the Spirit will give us direction on how to cooperate with Him. Often we forget that the Lord wishes for us to make changes in our lives so that we may become a part of the solution.

11. a. Search out passages of Scripture that relate to the purpose of our prayer. b. Pray for each need individually and specifically. c. Meditate on God’s word with an honest desire to understand how it applies in our life.

12. When we have our next meal, wisdom suggests that it should be light. To overload an empty stomach can cause pains that would be deserved rather than righteous.

13. If we can spend a day alone in God’s presence, it is a valuable experience! If any interruptions or distractions took place, we need to make a note of them and plan to avoid similar occurrences in subsequent fasts.

Even a short fast of just skipping a meal with the purpose of spending it with God or helping someone is a worthwhile experience. It is a time to be serious about seeing things from God’s viewpoint.It can be a way of finding extra time to spend with Him and receiving a special blessing.

A final word, one of caution, I do not believe we should fast for the purpose of receiving a blessing, even though I believe we are blessed through fasting for the right purpose.

Matthew 6:18 does say that God will reward us, but our biggest reward would be to become more like Jesus.

Submitted to SMCIS BBS, 301-862-3160 or 301-862-1526 by Dale Costner on 6-9-91