INTRODUCTION TO FASTING
BIBLICAL DEFINITION: To abstain from food for spiritual purposes
Fasting food is an invitation and not a requirement in the same way that Bible reading, prayer and tithing are an invitation.
Fasting food is an expression of humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging our great need of Him. (Psalm 69:10)
REASONS TO FAST
To experience a greater power for ministering to others (Matthew 17:21)
To seek direction (Acts 13:1-2)
To see God’s promises fulfilled (Daniel 9:3, Nehemiah 1:1-11, 9:32-38)
To stop a crisis (national crisis: Joel 2:12-13, Jonah 3:3-9; personal crisis: 1 Samuel 1:7, 2 Chronicles 33:13)
For protection (Ezra 8:21-23, Daniel 6:18)
To have greater understanding of the Scriptures (Dan. 9-10)
To experience God’s love more (Mt. 9:14-15)
FASTING IS FEASTING
Fasting in the natural is feasting in the spiritual.
“My grace is sufficient for you for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” —2 Corinthians 12:9
Fasting is not about rules pertaining to food. It is about being humbled by the physical and mental weakness that comes along with it. It’s in this weak-ness that Christ’s strength can be perfected in us.
God has ordered His kingdom in such a way that some things that seem weak to men are actually powerful before God.
—Mike Bickle, Growing in Prayer
FASTING TYPES & LENGTHS
Regular Fast: Going without food and drinking only water.
Liquid Fast: Going without food and drinking limited juices.
Partial Fast (or Daniel Fast): Abstain from tasty foods, eating only bland veggies, nuts, etc.
Benedict Fast (est. by Saint Benedict 525 AD): Consists of eating one meal a day.
Absolute Fast (or Esther fast): Abstain from food and water (Esther 4:16).
One-day Fast (Leviticus 16)
Three-day Fast (Acts 9)
Seven-day Fast (2 Samuel 12)
Twenty-one day Fast (Daniel 10)
Forty-day Fast (Exodus 24, 34, Deuteronomy 9, 18, 1-Kings 19, Matthew 4)
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
The Daniel Fast: For Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer L. Towns
The Rewards of Fasting by Mike Bickle
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
NEXT WEEKEND
ROMANS: Abraham, David, God & Faith —Ron Tucker
Discussion Questions
1. Why would God want us to fast?
2. What is one thing you’d focus on to pray for while fasting?
3. Of the various reasons to fast do any appeal to you? Why?