The Bible (Fasting)

Biblical references to the spiritual discipline of fasting describe a practice of abstaining from food for a specified period of time. Fasting is a time of bringing the body under the control of the Holy Spirit on a consistent basis.  Instead of receiving the physical gratification of food and various other activities, we become very aware of the substance and power of the Holy Spirit. We do not fast to impress God or to change Him, because we cannot.   Instead, our purpose is to focus our attention on Him as the only Source of all of our needs.

While there are many types of fasts, abstaining from certain activities and entertainment (e.g. secular TV shows, etc.) is not a biblical fast; abstaining from those things are a part of what we do when we fast.  It’s like swimming while fully clothed.  You’re in the water, stroking, weighted down but you’re not getting the full effect.

What do I do if I cannot fast because of health conditions?  Don’t beat yourself up; God knows your heart and you do your best by abstaining from – what would be a huge sacrifice; juice?

Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us for our daily lives. Through fasting, you can experience spiritual renewal, supernatural healing, a release from the bondage of sin, restoration in your relationships, financial blessings, and so much more!

Benefits of Fasting

1.     Improves your ability to hear from God (Ezra 8:21 - Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.)

2.     Builds you up spiritually (Matthew 4:2, 23, 24 - ² And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. ²³ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. ²⁴ Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.)

3.     Lifts oppression and breaks demonic powers (Mark 9:29 -- So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting, Isaiah 58:6-8 – ⁶ “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?  ⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? ⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.)

4.     Leads you into a time of humility and repentance (Psalm 109:22-26 – ²² For I am poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me. ²³ I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens;
I am shaken off like a locust. ²⁴ My knees are weak through fasting, And my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness. ²⁵ I also have become a reproach to them; When they look at me, they shake their heads. ²⁶ Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to your mercy.)

5.     Causes health to spring forth speedily (Isaiah 58:8 -- Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.)

Individual Fasting

An individual fasting independent of others.  You may decide to fast once a week on a certain day or several consecutive days (e.g. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) straight through with no break, or for three days starting and stopping at a specific time.  Pray and seek God for direction regarding the type of fast you should choose. Ask the Lord to show you areas to target during your time of prayer and fasting.  Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage, peace, etc.? Seek God’s guidance and His Word regarding these situations.

Corporate Fasting

A corporate fast is generally called by someone in a leadership position of a denomination (Pastor, Bishop, Elder) for a specific purpose (e.g. supernatural healing, revival services, etc.).  It is highly unlikely that a layperson would call a corporate fast unless it was approved by the primary leader (Pastor, etc.).  The primary leader is responsible for the members’ spiritual growth, etc. and serves as the watchmen that God has designated over the members.  Just like a parent who watches over his family.

Psalm 133:1-3 The Lord commands the blessing:  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.  It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.

Acts: 13:1-3:  Corporate prayer was practiced throughout the Bible. In this text we see the Holy Spirit giving direction as they gave themselves in fasting and praying:  As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

In 2 Chronicles 20 (entire chapter), King Jehoshaphat, overwhelmed by an invasion, called the people to fast and pray. This corporate prayer and fasting resulted in Judah’s victory over their enemy – without a fight!  They never picked up a weapon – that’s an example of the supernatural.  If God fought for them, He will fight for us too.

In Ezra, 8:21 and 23, Ezra called a time of corporate prayer and fasting to seek God’s wisdom and protection. “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might fast before our God to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance… so we fasted and besought our God for this: and He answered all our prayers.”

What to Expect When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability, particularly during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains.  Limit your physical activity and exercise.

Disclaimer:  Some people should not fast without professional supervision. They include: women who are pregnant or nursing; individuals who take insulin, or who suffer from any other blood sugar condition such as hypoglycemia; persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, heart disease, etc.

In His Humble Service,

Tania