Transformation through Fasting
What is biblical fasting? 1. Fasting is essentially giving up food (or something else) for a period of time in order to focus your thoughts on God. 2. Fasting, many people read the Bible, pray, or worship. Fasting is found throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, over fifty times! 2.1. Biblically, fasting is mentioned in both the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament it was often a way of expressing grief or a means of humbling one's self before the Lord. 3. In Psalm 35:13, David humbled himself with fasting. In the New Testament it was a means to grow closer to God through mediating and focusing on Him. 3.1 In Matthew 4:1-2, Jesus went to the wilderness to fast for 40 days. In Matthew 6:16-18 we learn that we aren’t to look somber while fasting so that it’s not obvious to others when we are fasting. 3.2Throughout the New Testament fasting and prayer are often mentioned together. In Acts 13:3, ‘they had fasted and prayed.’ In Luke 2:37 a widow worshiped day and night fasting and praying." Following the example of Jesus and the Early Church believers, we, too can draw near to God while fasting.
What Does Fasting Do for Our Spiritual Life? 1. Fasting and prayer can help us hear from God. 2. Fasting and prayer can reveal our hidden sin.
3. Fasting and prayer can strengthen intimacy with God . 4. Fasting and prayer can teach us to pray with right motives • . 5. Fasting and prayer can build our faith.
Some more addition points to keep in mind: 1. Not only does fasting and prayer help us focus on God, but through that time, it brings us closer to Him and changes our hearts. 2.When we fast and pray, we are taking time away from a meal or an activity to devote our entire being to focus on God. 3. We find we are more sensitive to the voice of God, more attuned to hearing what He has to reveal to us. 4.Gently, God whispers in our mind what we were really thinking at the time of our sin, what our true intent was and we are shocked…momentarily. Then like a light turned on in a pitch-black room, we see it. We did mean harm. We were manipulative. 5.Even though our recognition makes us want to hide our face, our loving Savior lifts our chin to look into his forgiving eyes. As we repent, we no longer want to hide, but to praise and worship the very one who confronted our wrong."
Different types of fasting: 1.There is a regular fast which consists of abstaining from all food and drink except for water (Matthew 4:2–3; Luke 4:2). Apart from supernatural enablement, the body can function only three days without water.
2.partial fast is when one abstains from some particular kind of food as in the case of Daniel while in Babylon (Daniel 10:3; cf. 1:8, 12).As noted above, 3.a liquid fast means that you abstain only from solid foods. Again, most who choose this path are sustained by fruit juices and the like. 4.A complete or absolute fast that entails no food or liquid of any kind (Ezra 10:6; Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9) should only be for a very short period of time. For anything longer than three to five days, seek medical advice. 5.There is also what can only be called a supernatural fast, as in the case of Moses (Deuteronomy 9:9), who abstained from both food and water for forty days (enabled to do so only by a miraculous enabling from God).
Other types of fasting: 1.TV/Movie Fast: You can take a break from a weekly favorite and use the time to pray or read the Bible. Is there a small group at church that you've thought about joining but it's during the time your show is on? Do you spend your Saturday binging Netflix when you could take some time to mentor someone God has placed on your heart? This is also a good time to evaluate how much of your time is spent watching TV and whether you need to cut back to make time for other priorities. 2.Social Media Fast: This is becoming one of the more common fasts in our culture. Do you need to take some time away from the noise and refresh? Log out of your accounts, delete them from your device for a period of time, and just spend that time being present with God. Pray and listen. Spend some time in nature soaking in His beauty. Spend some time alone worshipping God. 3.Secular Music Fast: Instead of listening to Top Hits on the radio, you can choose to listen to the Christian radio station for a period of time. Pop in a CD of your favorite worship leader when you're driving
to work. Listen to a Christian podcast or audiobook. You can even turn the stereo off completely and spend that time in prayer. You'll be amazed what this little change will do for your life. 4.Fast from Going Out: Take a look at your calendar and pick a night when you'd usually go out and spend the time instead diving into Scripture. Maybe there's a book of the Bible you've always wanted to read but didn't have time. Perhaps you want to pray through the Psalms. Is there a person in the Bible you'd like to know more about? Give this time to God and let Him show you the great treasures of His Word!
Biblical types of fasting: 1. The Samuel Fast Background: When the Ark of the Covenant was returned from captivity, Samuel led God’s people in a fast to celebrate its return and to pray for Israel’s deliverance from the sin that allowed the Ark to be captured in the first place. Key Verse: 1 Samuel 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. Purpose of Fasting: Isaiah 58:6 is a verse about revival and soul-winning, about prayer to be used of God to deliver people out of spiritual darkness into God’s kingdom. This fast is to • recognize and acknowledge your bondage to sin, • pray for God’s presence among His people, and, • ensure God’s leaders are in place.
2.
The Widow’s Fast
Background: Elijah was sent by God to a poor, starving widow so she could provide food for Elijah. How ironic! Her obedience resulted in food for her survival as well as Elijah’s. Key Verse: 1 Kings 17:16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah. Purpose of Fasting: Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? This fast is to meet the needs of others in caring for them physically with food, clothing, and housing. 3. The Ezra Fast Background: King Artaxerxes, king of Persia, had given Ezra, the priest, permission to rebuild their city, Jerusalem. Despite having permission from King Artaxerxes, Israel’s enemies opposed them. Ezra had already proclaimed to the king that the God of Israel would protect them so when his enemies came against them, the only thing Ezra could do was proclaim a fast for God’s direction and protection. Key Verse: Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. Purpose of Fasting: Isaiah 58:6 …to undo the heavy burdens… A fast for problem-solving and to lift the load and barrier that keeps us from walking joyfully with the Lord.
4. The Esther Fast Background: Jewess Queen Esther risked her life in appearing before the pagan king Ahasuerus (Xerxes) of Persia. Her people were threatened with destruction by the king though he didn’t know she was also Jewish. Prior
to her appearance before the king, she and her attendants along with her cousin Mordecai and all the Jews present in Shushan fasted three days and nights before God for His protection. Key Verse: Esther 4:16; 5:2 …gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: … she obtained favour in his sight… Purpose of Fasting: Isaiah 58:8 the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. For God to show His glory as He delivers His children from the evil one. 5.
The Elijah Fast
Background: When Elijah fled to escape from queen Jezebel’s threat to kill him, he deliberately went without food as he sought the LORD to take his life rather than let Jezebel kill him. After he spent the night under the juniper tree, an angel touched him saying, arise and eat. Twice the angel provided a cake and water for Elijah. This food was the sustenance he needed for the journey ahead. Key Verse: 1 Kings 19:4,8 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness…he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights… Purpose of Fasting: Isaiah 58:6 …ye break every yoke. This fast is to break the chains of emotional problems that seek to control our lives and returning control to God. 6.
The Daniel Fast
Background: Daniel and his three friends were held captives in Babylon and instructed to eat the pagan food of the king. Daniel requested that the four of them be allowed to eat only vegetables and water for ten days to see if they be more alert and with wisdom and understanding than those who ate the king’s rich food.
Key Verse: Daniel 1:8 Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank… Purpose of Fasting: Isaiah 58:8 …thine health shall spring forth… To gain a healthier life or for healing. To seek God’s direction, purpose, and vision. 7.
The Disciple’s Fast
Background: The disciples had attempted to cast out a demon from a young boy but were unable to. Jesus said that this kind comes out by prayer and fasting. While many times we can cast out demons without prior fasting, there are times when demons are more resistant to leaving and thus the need to spend time fasting will result in successfully casting out demons. Key Verse: Matthew 17:21 this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Purpose of Fasting: Isaiah 58:6 …to loose the bands of wickedness… The bands of wickedness can refer to sin, addictions, bondage, guilt, wrongdoing, violence, acquisition of wealth through wicked means, deceit, fraud. This fast is to free ourselves and others from all wickedness. 8.
The Saint Paul Fast
Background: When Saul of Tarsus met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he was struck blind as he was on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus. Jesus could not allow Saul’s plan to continue and therefore stopped him from carrying them out. While Saul was blind and had no clue what was going to happen to him, his thoughts about Jesus changed. He went without food for three days as he prayed for direction and purpose. After his eyesight was restored, his life took a whole new direction as he sought to serve Jesus Christ who saved him from his sin.
Key Verse: Acts 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. Purpose of Fasting: Isaiah 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning… To allow for a clear perspective and direction for crucial decisions. 9. The John the Baptist Fast Background: John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, was called by God to take on the Nazarite vow from his birth. He was to have neither wine nor strong drink. This lifestyle set John apart for his mission of being the forerunner of Jesus. Key Verse: Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. Purpose of Fasting: Isaiah 58:8 …thy righteousness shall go before thee… For our witness and testimony to influence others as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
10. The Jesus Fast Background: After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert for 40 days and nights as he was tempted by the devil. Jesus overcame the devil’s temptations through the Word of God, It is written, as He refuted satan’s temptations. Key Verse: Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
Purpose of Fasting: Matthew 4:1-2; 11 …behold, angels came and ministered unto him. For spiritual power and victory over temptation, the flesh, and the devil.
How Long Should I Fast? How long you fast is entirely up to you and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Bible gives examples of fasts that lasted: -One day or part of a day (Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Samuel 1:12; 3:35; Nehemiah 9:1; Jeremiah 36:6) -A one-night fast (Daniel 6:18–24) -Three-day fasts (Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9) -Seven-day fasts (1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 12:16–23) -A fourteen-day fast (Acts 27:33–34) -A twenty-one day fast (Daniel 10:3–13) -Forty-day fasts (Deuteronomy 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8; Matthew 4:2) and -Fasts of unspecified lengths (Matthew 9:14; Luke 2:37; Acts 13:2; 14:23).
Fasting Life-Hacks 1. Fast from dinner to dinner. 2. Consider an alternate fast. 3. Drink water constantly. 4. Drink herbal tea with a little sweetener. 5. Set a timer. 6. Use a prayer guide for focus and direction.
7. Choose a day when you’re likely to have more “mental space.” 8. Be open to prayer “tangents." 9. Use your hunger or cravings as prompts to pray. 10. Expect spiritual and physical opposition.
Spiritual benefits of fasting: 1. 2. 3. 4.
A. soul cleansing A new desire for God A deeper praise A sensitivity to God’s voice
5. A new satisfaction
Physical benefits of fasting: 1. Promotes Blood Sugar Control by Reducing Insulin Resistance 2. Promotes Better Health by Fighting Inflammation 3. May Enhance Heart Health by Improving Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels. 4. May Boost Brain Function and Prevent Neurodegenerative Disorders. 5. Aids Weight Loss by Limiting Calorie Intake and Boosting Metabolism. 6. Increases Growth Hormone Secretion, Which Is Vital for Growth, Metabolism, Weight Loss and Muscle Strength. 7. Could Delay Aging and Extend Longevity.