WHAT IS FASTING?
Abstaining from food for spiritual reasons.
Now there's certainly an issue of food that is associated with many seasons of prayer and fasting, and let me
quickly add this: control of eating is a valid reason to fast. The purpose is not the number of pounds you
might lose during a fast, but rather, trusting God to help you regain mastery over food during a fast. Jesus
said, "The spirit is . . . willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41 ). Fasting is a means of bringing the
flesh into submission to the Lord so He can strengthen us in our mastery over our own selves. Fasting
in the flesh makes us stronger to stand against the temptations of the flesh. Those temptations very often
deal with food.
Abstaining from food is often God's way of showing that His desire for us is that we regain mastery over all
things associated with our flesh in order to subdue our flesh and elevate our emphasis on spiritual matters.
God's promise is to help us as we overcome the flesh and put all carnal temptations into subjection.
We are wise to recognize that food was the enticement the devil used to cause Eve and Adam to sin in
the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 2 the Lord God told Adam and Eve that they could eat freely of every tree
in the garden of Eden, "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the
day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17 ).
God did not tell Adam and Eve to refrain from touching a particular animal or smelling a particular flower
or swimming in a certain stream. He told them to refrain from taking a particular fruit into their bodies-one
type of fruit out of all the many types He had made available to them.
FASTING TYPES:
1. Absolute Fast: Nothing at all or drink only liquids (you establish the number of days)
2. Partial Fast: A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sunup to sundown. You can select
from three types of fasting: Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item food.
(Chocolate).
3. Daniel Fast: Eat no meat, sweets, and no bread. Drink water and juice. Eat fruits and vegetables.
HOW NOT TO FAST: Isaiah 58:4–5
The prophet Isaiah instructs his readers about pursuing a fast while one’s heart is not in the right place
(again, emphases mine):
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in
quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have
chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for
lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
WHY DO WE FAST/PURPOSE OF FASTING:
1. God call us to fast and therefore same is not optional. Matthew 6 v 16-18 and Joel 2 v 12. Matthew
9:15, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
2. Power to overcome satan and his minions
In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus put satan in his place when he was tempted in the wilderness for an extended
period of time. In verse 11 we read “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to
Him.” Luke writes in Luke 4:13 “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him
until an opportune time.” If you want the devil to leave you alone for seasons since he is a pest, the best
thing to do is to take up a habitual life of prayer and fasting. When he returns for another bout you will no
doubt be ready.
3. Preparation for the work of God
The Lord Jesus did not begin ministry until after a 40-day fasting period. This is not to say everyone must
fast for 40 days to serve God. No! The scriptures are clear with examples of many kinds of fasts. May the
Spirit lead you. Tune in. Luke 4:1-13
4. Hearing clearly what the will of God is about any matter
God can speak to us at any time regardless of whether we are fasting or not. However, we must remember
that we are engaged in spiritual warfare and sometimes the battle is so fierce reinforcements are needed.
Daniel fasted for 21 days and found out from a visiting angel that a demon prince had resisted him for 21
days. The angel had pertinent information for Daniel. We still read those inspiring prophetic words today.
5. Petitioning Heaven for God’s will to come to pass
We are told in Luke 2:36, that a woman called Anna who lived in the temple for years “served God with
fastings night and day.” This woman with a prophetic anointing came by when baby Jesus was being
dedicated in the Temple and the record has it that “coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and
spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
(Check your other pages for the rest)
HOW TO BEGIN:
1. Start With a Clear Goal
Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of your marriage or family
issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.
2. Preparing Spiritually
Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have
offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended. Surrender your life fully to Jesus
Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).
3. Deciding What to Fast.
The type of fasting you choose is up to you. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids,
or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank
was water. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.
4. Deciding How Long
You may fast as long as you like. Most can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace
to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. Beginners are advised
to start slow.
5. What to Expect
When you fast, your body detoxifies and eliminates toxins from your system. This can cause mild
discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally,
you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting
brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast. Spend time listening
to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal
distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mindset on seeking God’s face.
6. How to End
Don’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small
portions or snacks.
