How to fast

Posted on by Demi Irawo

Christians are not commanded to fast in any of the New Testament books but Jesus assumes his followers will fast, and even promises it will happen. He doesn’t say “if,” but “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16). And he doesn’t say his followers might fast, but “they will” (Matthew 9:15). There is rich history of prayer and fasting in both the OT and the NT by believers, it stands to reason that we should continue this practice given its stated benefits.

Fasting with Social Media, TV, Phones etc have become a popular form of ‘fast’ in recent times however our recommendation would be to follow the example set out by scripture where we see fasting being done as abstinence from food. Aside from having no scriptural basis, these so called fasts are different from biblical fasting in that they involve people depriving themselves or things they either don’t need or shouldn’t be doing anyway. Fasting from food is spiritually empowering because it deprives the body of an essential need.

Times of fasting

There are no biblically mandated times for fasting but a pattern that we recommended is that you start your fast at 12 Midnight or 6AM and continue until 12 Noon, 3PM or 6PM depending on how long you feel led to fast, you can fast for even longer periods of time than this and many people have done so. A  longer period of fasting is more ideal as sacrifice is at the heart of biblical fasting.

 

What does fasting involve?

A fast is abstinence from both food and water. Many of our biblical heroes have practiced this type of fast

  •  Moses neither ate bread, nor drank water for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 34:28).
  • Esther calls all Jewish people everywhere to neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day (Esther 4:16).
  • The king of Nineveh repents and declares that people and animals do a dry fast (Jonah 3:7-8). 

Whilst fasting it is very important that you spending intentional time in prayer, studying the bible, meditating on God and Godly living and also striving for personal holiness. If you aren’t intentional about the pursuit of the aforementioned whilst you are fasting then it is no better than embarking upon a hunger strike. 

 

Reasons to fast
  • Fasting is spiritually empowering. During those forty days, when Jesus’ was at his weakest, he endured relentless temptation from Satan. He demonstrated for us that fasting can be spiritually nourishing when we use it as a means to enjoy intimacy with God (Mathew 4:1-11).
  • To seek God’s wisdom: Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted for the elders of the churches before committing them to the Lord for His service (Acts 14:23)
  • To seek deliverance or protection. Ezra declared a corporate fast and prayed for a safe journey for the Israelites as they made the nine-hundred- mile trek to Jerusalem from Babylon (Ezra 8:21-23).
  • To repent. After Jonah pronounced judgment against the city of Nineveh, the king covered himself with sackcloth and sat in the dust. He then ordered the people to fast and pray. Jonah 3:10 says, “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened.”
  • To gain victory over the enemy. After losing forty thousand men in battle in two days, the Israelites cried out to God for help. Judges 20:26 says all the people went up to Bethel and “sat weeping before the Lord.” They also “fasted that day until evening.” The next day the Lord gave them victory over the Benjamites.
  • To worship God. Luke 2 tells the story of an eighty-four-year-old prophetess named Anna. Verse 37 says, “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” Anna was devoted to God, and fasting was one expression of her love for Him.
  • Fasting is a biblical way to humble yourself in the sight of God.
  • Fasting facilitates the work of the Holy Spirit revealing your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
  • Fasting will encourage the Holy Spirit to quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you.
  • Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life and make you a channel of revival to others.
How to prepare yourself for fasting
  • Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
  • Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4)
  • Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
  • Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.
  • Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
  • Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).
Medical Considerations

Please seriously consider whether it is appropriate to fast if you have a physical condition that would make fasting unwise or dangerous.

If you are unsure, please Seek medical advice first. However, be aware that many doctors have little knowledge of fasting. People who should probably avoid fasting include women who are pregnant or nursing, people who are anorexic or bulimic, anyone who is emaciated or underweight, and those who are on dialysis.

Be aware of medications and their effects while you fast. For example, a vegetable juice fast can lower your blood pressure quickly, so you would need to cut back on medication, for which you should seek your physician’s advice. People with diabetes or hypoglycemia can modify a vegetable juice fast and include green smoothies made with avocado for extra protein and fat. This would also be my recommendation for anyone who is elderly or weak.