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What Is Fasting?

The Hebrew word for fasting, used in the Old Testament, means covering the mouth. The Greek word, used in the New Testament, means not to eat.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines fasting as: to abstain from food as a religious observance.

Types of Fasting

There are three types of fasting.

• Normal Fast - to go without food while still taking liquids (water)
• Extreme Fast - to go without food or water; for example:

Esther 4:16
Go gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day; I also, and my maidens, will fast likewise...

Exodus 34:28
And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water...

Ezra 10:6
Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan, the son of Eliashib; and when he came there, he did eat no bread, nor drink water;...

Acts 9:9
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

• Partial Fast - restriction of diet rather than total abstinence

Daniel 10:3
I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine to my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Is Fasting Commanded?

Does God command fasting in the Bible?

Old Testament Law commanded only one day of fasting per year (Leviticus 16:29-31).

Other special fasts were commanded by kings or prophets (Jeremiah 36:9; Esther 9:21,27,31).

Jesus and the New Testament

Jesus, as well as the apostles, fasted (Mark 4:1-3; II Corinthians 11:27).

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-18) includes teaching on fasting - 6:16 'And when you fast...' not IF, but WHEN. This presumes the practice. The passage includes instructions on proper observance.

Two passages (Matthew 9:14,15; Luke 5:33-35) answer criticism of Jesus' disciples not fasting saying "when the bridegroom shall be taken away...", that is after Jesus' death, would be the time to fast.

There is no New Testament command, but evidence of both practice in the first century and benefits for the Christian of today.

Why Fast?

What are the reasons we should fast?

• To seek God's help and His purposes (Joel 2:12-13; Ezra 8:21-23; Daniel 9:3).
• As an act of repentance (Israel in Nehemiah 9:1-2; Ninevah in Jonah 3:5-10; Paul in Acts 9:9).
• To avert God's wrath and/or seek God's mercy (Ahab in I Kings 21:27-29; David in II Samuel 12:16-22; Jehoshaphat in II Chronicles 20:2-3).
• In preparation and/or setting apart for ministry (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23).
• In intercession for others (Ezra 10:6).
• For healing (Psalm 35:13).

How Often Should I Fast?

Should we fast every week or every month?

• No command for the Christian.
• Fasting should always be PURPOSEFUL and for SPIRITUAL reasons.

Paul fasted often (II Corinthians 11:27), however, God is more concerned with the inner attitudes than with the frequency. In Luke 18:12-14 the boastful Pharisee professed weekly fasting but was not justified.

How Long Should I Fast?

Should I fast for a day, a week, a month? What about fasting for 40 days?

• Most often, Scriptural fasts were 1 day long.
• Some fasts ranged from 3 days (Esther 4:16) to 7 days (I Corinthians 10:12), up to 40 days (Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:12).

The key is the spiritual benefit and guidance of the Lord.

Instructions for Fasting

Just a few things to keep in mind when you fast.

Be certain of your purpose - wrong motives will not be honored by God (Zechariah 7:5; Isaiah 58:3). Fast unto God and not unto men (Matthew 6:16-18).

Things to include in times of fasting:

Nehemiah 9:3
Reading the Word
Confession
Worship

Luke 2:37
Service to God
Prayer

Acts 13:2-3
Ministering to the Lord
Worship
Prayer

Deuteronomy 9:18
Prayer
Supplication