Fasting Guidelines

June 30, 2014

Transformation Tuesdays: Fasting Guidelines

Fast Time: Tuesdays 6am-6pm

Thank you for your willingness to participate in what God is doing! Above all, please be Spirit-led as you fast. PLease note that this is the designated timeframe set forth by the Shine Empowerment Netowrk. You are invited- but not required- to join us in any way that you can. If you have a medical condition that prevents a complete fast, then please look for another way to participate. Use wisdom and follow the Holy Spirit.

Biblical Fasting Teaching

Isaiah 58:6 says “Is this not 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?”

Matthew 6:17-18 says, “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Several months ago, the Lord began speaking to me about the power of prayer and fasting. When the two are combined there is power released. Power over our flesh, power over the enemy, and power in positioning us for breakthrough. Once you combine the power of unity to these two principles found in the Word, well, things start happening. I want to focus on fasting in this article.

What Is Biblical Fasting?

First of all, let’s look at the root word which is used for “fasting.” The Greek word for fasting is nesteia — a compound of ne (a negative prefix) and esthio which means “to eat.” So the basic root meaning of the word simply means “not to eat.”

But what does this “not eating” food mean? Why did people in the Bible “not eat?” Leviticus 16:29 says that fasting is synonymous with “afflicting one’s soul.”  We gain some insight here about how the Hebrews viewed fasting. Fasting is more than just “afflicting one’s body.” It is “afflicting one’s soul.” In other words, fasting in the Hebrew mind is something my soul participates in. Fasting is denying myself. It is denying not only my own body, but also my own wants. It is a way of saying that food and my desires are secondary to something else. Fasting is “afflicting one’s soul” — an act of self-denial.

Jesus said, “The spirit is . . . willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 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. 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.

Biblical fasting is “not eating” with spiritual communication in mind.How do we know this? Because Biblical fasting always occurs together with prayer in the Bible. Biblical fasting is deliberately abstaining from food for a spiritual reason: communication and relationship with the Father.

8 Examples of Biblical Fasting

General Types of Fasts

• The Normal Fast: There are very few rules when it comes to fasting. What you do is really between you and the Lord. There is only one fast command in the Bible and that was the fast on the Day of Atonement. This fast was from sunset of one day to sunset of the next (Leviticus 16:29;23:32) You can eat again in the evening before retiring to bed. So in this type of fast the person abstained from food and liquid for a period of one day (from sunset to sunset). This is a normal fast.
• The Partial Fast: In this type of fast, the emphasis is placed on restriction of diet, rather than abstaining completely from eating. Examples are: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego eating only vegetables and drinking only water (Daniel 1:15) and later on when Daniel alone practiced a limited diet for three weeks (Daniel 10:3). This is also known as the Daniel Fast.
• The Radical/Complete Fast: This type of fast is one in which the person refrains from both food and water OR simply food (but not water) for an extended period of time. A radical fast can be harmful to your health and in most cases should not exceed three days. An example of a radical fast can be found with Esther and her household. Esther decided to fast for three days abstaining from both “food and water” both “day and night” (Esther 4:15-16). The rabbi Ezra and the apostle Paul also went without food and water for three days (Ezra 10:6-9; Acts 9:9). David is another example of a radical fast. He went seven days without food (but probably with liquid) as a plea to God to save the life of his child (2 Samuel 12:15-20). Fasts that extend beyond three or seven days can be found in the Bible, but these exceptions were based upon direct guidance from God or a supernatural ability given by God to complete the fast. Examples of these extreme fasts are: Moses (Deuteronomy 9:9-18 and Exodus 34:28); Elijah (1 Kings 19:8); and Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11).

Why Fast?

God said, “When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you” (Jeremiah 29:13,14). When a man or woman is willing to set aside the legitimate appetites of the body to concentrate on the work of praying, they are demonstrating that they mean business, that they are seeking God with all their heart.

Fasting is an expression of wholeheartedness. This is clear from Joel’s call to the nation of Israel: “Yet even now,” says the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting. . .” (Joel 2:12).

Andrew Murray said, “Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything – to sacrifice ourselves – to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.

Fasting is assumed by the New Testament: When Jesus spoke about fasting, he didn’t say IF you fast, but “WHEN you fast” (Matthew 6:16). Our Lord assumes that Christians will fast. And from the rest of the books in the New Testament we know that they did.

I want to encourage every believer to fast and pray for two very important reasons:

1. The Scriptures Teach Us to Fast and Pray

The Bible has a great deal to say about both fasting and praying, including commands to fast and pray. The Bible also gives us examples of people who fasted and prayed, using different types of fasts for different reasons, all of which are very positive results. Jesus fasted and prayed. Jesus’ disciples fasted and prayed after the Resurrection. Many of the Old Testament heroes and heroines of the faith fasted and prayed. The followers of John the Baptist fasted and prayed. Many people in the early church fasted and prayed. What the Scriptures have taught us directly and by the examples of the saints is surely something we are to do.

2. Fasting and Prayer Put You into the Best Possible Position for a Breakthrough

That breakthrough might be in the realm of the spirit. It may be in the realm of your emotions or personal habits. It may be in the realm of a very practical area of life, such as a relationship or finances. What I have seen repeatedly through the years-not only in the Scriptures but in countless personal stories that others have told me — is that periods of fasting and prayer produce great spiritual results, many of which fall into the realm of a breakthrough.

What You Could Possibly Experience Physically

When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating 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 if possible. We know that most people work during the week. If you can, try to 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 mind set on seeking God’s face.

I pray that this article has encouraged you and enlightened you in the area of fasting. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for breakthrough. It is time to arise and shine! May Tuesday truly bring transformation!

Shining Brightly for the King,