A ‘How-To’ Guide to Fasting
At The Gathering Network, we believe that every great move of God in the Bible and throughout history begins with Extraordinary Prayer and Fasting. From the other side of eternity, we will find that the most influential people were not, perhaps, Presidents or Prime Ministers but the people who walked with God through passionate prayer.
As a network we fast together on a monthly basis, breaking fast together with a night of prayer, worship and a potluck feast (with communion) together!
If you would like to join us, get in touch for the details - info@thegatheringnetwork.co.uk
Below are some tips on why we fast, and how to approach fasting.
What is Fasting?
- Our culture sees fasting in a number of ways; useless & out-dated; a way to gain political power or attract attention to a certain cause; or purely a physical and health-oriented activity. All of these are either motivated by vanity or power - although not necessarily wrong, it is contrary to what the Bible teaches us about fasting.
- Biblical Fasting always centres upon spiritual purposes - it should always point us to, focus us upon, and draw us closer to God for a number of differing reasons and purposes that we will look into.
The Purpose of Fasting
- To centre upon and prioritise God.
- Fasting and worshipping God come together hand-in-hand (Luke 2:37, Acts 13:2)
- To humble our souls (mind, will, emotions) through fasting (Psalm 69:10 “I wept and humbled my soul with fasting")
- To remind ourselves that we are sustained by every Word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt4:4), feasting on the Word of God instead! (John 4:32-34)
- To submit ourselves to the Spirit, denying the flesh - which is one of our main battles. Fasting will bring to light the bad fruits of the flesh, allowing them to be dealt with and healed by Jesus, who will then cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in you. (Galatians 5:16-25)
- To seek direction from God (Acts 13:2)
- To Intercede on behalf of others (Ezra 10:6)
- To petition God for breakthrough in a particular area (your city, church, family, an ill loved one etc) (2 Samuel: 12:16)
- God’s perspective on fasting - Isaiah 58:1-12. Read this, pray about it, chew on it before fasting!
Different Forms of Biblical Fasting
- Water only Fast. The most common type of fasting found in scripture involves not eating any food (solid or liquid) but only drinking water. It is supposed that Jesus took this fast during his 40 days in the desert (Luke 4:2), although he may well have not drank anything either, being the ultimate example of Deuteronomy 8:3 “…man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
- Absolute Fast. This is the more extreme type of fasting. It involves not eating or drinking anything during the period of the fast - it should only be undertaken if specifically called to by God.
- Daniel Fast. We see Daniel do two partial fasts during his time in Babylon. In Daniel 1:8-16 we see Daniel choosing to intentionally only eat vegetables and water for a period of 10 days initially, then more permanently. Again in Daniel 10:3 we see Daniel abstain from eating rich food, meat and wine.
-Individual Fast. Fasting is generally seen as a private matter, where we are to humble ourselves before God (depending on the reason for the fast) in a quiet and respectful manner. It is a private matter between yourself and God.
- Corporate Fast. The main corporate fast of the bible is seen in Leviticus 23:27 and is for the Day of Atonement. In the old covenant the Jews were to fast in sorrow and affliction as atonement for their sins.
Periods of Fasting
- A water only fast is biblically seen to last either from 1 day - 3 days, and (in some rarer cases) up to 40 days.
- An Absolute fast again can be done anywhere from 1 day - 3 days. There are a couple of exceptions in the bible where people have abstained from food and drink for 40 days supernaturally : namely Moses (Deuteronomy 9:9), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) and Jesus (Luke 4:2).
- A Daniel fast can be sustained for a longer period than the other types of fast: From days to weeks, and even longer if directed by the Lord. Daniel’s initial vegetable fast lasted 10 days (before it was formally continued because of it’s success), whilst his second fast was for 3 full weeks.
Why People in the Bible Fasted
- Fasting in the Old Testament was done for a number of reasons; mourning (2 Samuel 3: 32-35); humbling ourself before God (1 Kings 21:27-29); repentance (Jonah 3:7-9); for others (in intercession) (Ezra 10:6-17).
- Corporate Fasting can be a very unique and powerful experience provided all the people are prepared and are of one mind. We use the fast on the Day of Atonement to humbly reflect, in praise and thanksgiving, on the fact that we no longer have to worry and mourn over our sins because Jesus paid the price for them on the cross; purchasing us from darkness and bringing us freely into His marvellous kingdom of light! We also use it to pray for the lost of our city - that they would come to know and believe in Jesus too.
- Other types of fasting include for a national emergency (Joel2:15); for deliverance (2 Chronicles 20:1-4); for safety (Ezra 8:21-23) in repentance (Leviticus 23:27); for direction (Acts 13:2-3); seeking God’s plan of salvation (Acts 10:30)
Adapting a Partial ‘Daniel’ Fast to account for the Modern Era
- Todays Challenge. Part of the challenge of living today is maintaining a healthy mentality, attitude and balance amidst the chaos that is the ever advancing world of technology, social media, and the many other distractions.
- God at the centre. Although not necessarily based around food, fasting from TV, Facebook (Twitter, Instagram, etc), can be a wise choice. It is so easy to become ensnared and addicted to using, looking at, thinking about and relying upon these things that they can easily become our idols above God, if we’re not careful.
- Timeline. These fasts can be held over a longer period of time, depending on God’s direction (you could do a week, a month, or even a year!).
- Heart-check. It is always worth taking a moment of silence before God and asking Him to reveal if there is anything that is compromising your relationship and walk with Him. Use your wisdom too: the symptoms could include something that takes precedence over prayer and your Bible reading / something that consumes a lot of your thoughts / something that eats up your time to the detriment of your relationship with God.
- Remember. These fasts are hugely helpful, but should not replace fasting from food. This type of fast is such that it can be done alongside and as well as your food fasts.
What does Jesus say about fasting?
- In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-18), Jesus teaches about fasting in the context of his teaching on giving and praying: all three should be the staples to the Christian discipline and devotion.
- Matthew 6:16-18 “Whenever you fast, don’t be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so their fasting is obvious to people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, so that you don’t show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
- We see Jesus point towards the wisdom of regular fasting (“Whenever you fast…”). Jesus was restoring fasting to the spiritual discipline it should be, from the religious and health-focussed version that had arisen.
Tips
- Physical benefits, success in prayer, spiritual insights, favour, or power MUST NEVER replace God as the centre and focus of our fasting.
- Start with a shorter and simpler fast - maybe try one of the Daniel fasts on a regular basis. Then progress onto the water only and absolute fasts.
- You may find that your mind and body will find fasting a bit of a shock to begin with, making focus and prayer difficult - don’t be discouraged, but allow yourself to become accustomed.
- You’re not fasting to get something from God - it’s more so you can truly say “I love you Lord, more than anything else.” - It purifies our worship of God
- Take intentional time to pray and read the Bible during times of fasting -Prepare for opposition to your fast! If you fail, do not give in to condemnation. God always extends grace and forgiveness, so take heart and keep going!
