A) WHAT FASTING IS FOR.

B) SHOULD WE FAST AT ALL?

C) HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE FAST?

D) HOW LONG SHOULD WE FAST?

E) WHAT IS EATEN FIRST AFTER A FAST?

F) HOW SHOULD AN INDIVIDUAL FAST?

G) WHAT KIND OF FAST DOES OUT LORD REALLY WANT?

 

 

A) WHAT FASTING IS FOR

(Placed only in order by the first Scriptural reference, here are some Biblical examples)

 

 

To Ask For Forgiveness Of Sins:  Deu. 9:18; Dan. 9:3; Joel 2:12.

For Vengeance:  1Sa. 14:24.

For Mourning:  1Sa. 31:13; Ezra 10:6; Mat. 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35.

To Ask For Healing Of Another:  2Sa. 12:16 & 21-23; Psa. 35:13.

Hypocritical:  1Ki. 21:9 & 12; Isa. 58:3-4; Zec. 7:5.

To Discover A Secret Sin:  [“blaspheme God”] -- 1Ki. 21:9 & 12.

To Humble Oneself Before God:  1Ki. 21:27; Psa. 35:13.

For Protection:  2Ch. 20:1-4; Jer. 36:6 & 9; Joel 2:15.

To Seek The Lord:  2Ch. 20:3; Ezra 8:21 & 23; Neh. 1:4-5; Dan. 9:3; Joel 1:14.

For Repentance:  Neh. 9:1-2; Jer. 36:9; Joel 2:15.

To Have Your Prayers Be Heard:  Psa. 35:13; Isa. 58:3-5; Jer. 14:12.

To Chasten Oneself:  Psa. 69:10.

For Safety:  Psa. 109:24; Est. 4:1-3; 9:31; Dan. 6:18.

Possibly For Past Sins Associated With The Yearly Fasts (see Zec. 7:5):  Jer. 36:6.

For Understanding Of Visions:  Dan. 10:23.

To Turn Away God’s Anger:  Jonah 3:5-9.

To Consecrate Oneself To God:  Mat. 4:2; Acts 13:2; 1Co. 7:5 (As opposed to the marriage partner); 2Co. 6:5; 11:27.

For Spiritual Warfare:  Mat. 17:21; Mark 9:29.

For Service:  Luke 2:37.

For Ministerial Work:  Acts 13:2-3.

To Dedicate Individuals For God’s Work:  Acts 13:3; 14:23.

For Ordinations:  Acts 14:23.

 

 

B) SHOULD WE FAST AT ALL

 

 

To Fast Or Not To Fast:  Older people, or people with medical or physical reasons, may not want to fast, or cannot fast (usually not necessarily always so).  These however, need not be left out.  Consider Daniel 10:3:  “I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”  For, “pleasant bread,” a more literal translation would be “bread of desires,” such as was made of the finest of the wheat, and was eaten in the courts of princes where Daniel was residing.

 

According to some Jewish Rabbis, hot bread is meant; but in general, it means the best of bread, such as had good qualities to make it desirable; and this Daniel refrained from while he was humbling and afflicting himself.  In other words, he ate no coarse bread; black and grainy.  My point is, that here is a case where one can “fast,” and yet still be partaking of food.  In other words, leaving out the rich or “pleasant” food articles that most often grace our tables.

 

 

C) HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE FAST

 

The Bible gives us only two ideas along this line.  However, based upon the length in which we are to fast (listed below), we can safely assume that it is permissible to fast at any given time, although the ones I will now list may be considered to be of a consecrated nature.  We are told to fast four times a year -- Zec. 8:19; Acts 27:9 (10th day of the 7th month; Tishri, our October), and possibly twice a week? -- Luke 18:12.

 

 

D) HOW LONG SHOULD WE FAST

 

 

A fast in the Bible was usually for only one day (Jud. 20:26; 1Sa. 7:6; 14:24; 2Sa. 1:12; 3:35), from sunrise to sunset.  However, many other lengths of time are indicated.  For example:

1 Night -- Daniel 6:18;

3 Days -- Esther 4:16; Matthew 15:32?; Mark 8:2-3?; Acts 9:9;

Possibly 4 Days? -- Acts 10:30?;

7 Days -- First Samuel 31:13; First Chronicles 10:12;

And of course (don’t do this) 40 Days -- Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9 & 18; First Kings 19:8; Matthew 4:2.

 

 

E) WHAT IS EATEN FIRST AFTER A FAST

 

 

Although “Bread” (2Sa. 12:20-21) is listed as the first article of food to be taken after a fast, this item would constitute as being too heavy in the case of a very long fast.  Something lite like soup would be better.

 

 

F) HOW SHOULD AN INDIVIDUAL FAST

 

 

Jesus gave us specific instructions in regards to conducting a fast.  He taught that we are to do it, “secretly” (Mat. 6:16-18).  Any reason listed above is acceptable to our Lord, but to fast in order to give glory to oneself, instead of God, is to destroy the object and meaning for the fast.  Therefore:

 

 

G) WHAT KIND OF FAST DOES OUT LORD REALLY WANT

 

 

To live a righteous life and to “love thy neighbor as thyself,” Matthew 19:19.  Here is Isaiah 58:6-7:  “[6] Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”

 

 

ENJOY YOUR FAST.

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