Fasting does not mean meriting or manipulating God’s favor. It’s not about impressing other people or punishing yourself. Fasting does mean this world is not as it ought to be. It does mean this world is not all there is. It does mean we should hunger for the feast to come.

What is fasting? (A definition of fasting)

Fasting is not eating for a defined period of time for the purpose of
focused prayer and closeness to God.

Why should we fast? (The largely assumed logic of fasting)

Fast for Focus

Fast for Freedom—Fasting can be “an antidote to the poison of self-centeredness common in our culture, which teaches us that satisfying our own desires is the key to the good life.” (Rod Dreher)

Fast for Fulfillment

When should we fast? (The circumstances that call for fasting)

Prayer Requests: Deliverance and Direction
(Judges 20:26, Psalm 35:12-13, 2 Chronicles 20:3,
Ezra 8:21-23, Esther 4, Daniel 9:3, Acts 13:2-3)

Repentance (Leviticus 16:29, 1 Samuel 7:6, Joel 2:12-15, Jonah 3:5)

Mourning (1 Samuel 31:13, Zechariah 8:19)

How long will fasting last? (The glorious temporariness of fasting)

We will only fast until our Bridegroom returns and the wedding feast begins.
(Isaiah 25:6-9, Zechariah 8:19, Esther 9:31, Matthew 9:14-15, etc.)

Read Ahead: Matthew 6:19-24