Fasting

[Guest]

I would like to know more about fasting.

Like: good reasons to go on a fast

lengths of fasts

attitudes while fasting

what would a believer in Jesus' time understand a fast to be?

Thank You And God Bless,


Bud

[_Steve]

In the Bible, fasting was originally associated with grieving. Perhaps it first gained this association because of the normal lack of appetite that often accompanies great grief (1 Sam.1:7/Dan.6:18; 10:2-3/ Esther 4:3), but it came to be seen as a way of bringing oneself into a state of self-imposed sadness, probably as a means of evoking repentance (Judges 20:26/ 1 Kings 21:27/ Neh.9:1 / Joel 2:12-13), as well as an expression of existing grief.

Fasting was sometimes referred to as "afflicting [one's own] soul" (Lev.16:29, 31; 23:27, 32) or "chastening [one's own] soul" (Ps.69:10). Jesus used the term "fast" interchangably with the word "mourn" (Matthew 9:14-15).

The only fasting commanded in scripture was the annual fast of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), where (as seems likely) the fasting was an emblem of the people's sorrow and repentance for sin (Lev.16).

Fasting also, somehow, came to be thought of as an aid to prayer (possibly based on the idea that repentance from sin is a prerequisite to having God hear one's prayers).

In both testaments, fasting seems to be regarded as a means of adding potency to prayers. Therefore, David fasted when he was praying for the healing of his son (2 Sam.12), but saw no reason to continue doing so when his son died (to the surprise of his servants who, thinking only of fasting as a means of mourning, thought it more proper to fast after the child's death than before it). Esther requested that the Jews fast (and, presumably, pray) for her for three days before she put her life at peril for their sakes (Esth.4:16; cf. Ezra 8:23).

The idea that fasting gives greater potency to prayer seems to be validated by Jesus' statement that certain cases of demonism cannot be remedied without prayer and fasting (Matt.17:21--though the inclusion of fasting in this comment is not found in all manuscripts).

As "fasting" refers to abstinence from food, so the word "watching" refers to abstinence from sleep. Both fastings and watchings were a part of Paul's spiritual discipline (2 Cor.6:5; 11:27), and both Jesus and Paul advocated mixing prayer with "watching" (Matt.26:40-41/ Eph.6:18).

Fasting to minister to (and possibly to hear from) God is also seen in the early church (Acts 13:2)

There is no set requirement of how, how frequently or how long a fast should be conducted. Fasts can involve the missing of a single day's meals or can extend as long as forty days (consult your physician before attempting the latter).

A "total fast" involves no eating food or drinking any liquid, which can only be safely done for about three days or less. The most common fast, lasting any length of time, can consist of eating no solid food and only drinking water. On the other hand, some people choose to fast one or two meals a day, or only to abstain from a favorite item, like coffee, sweets, etc. over a prescribed period of time. Any degree of abstinence from any food is a kind of "fasting." Even sleeping is, technically, a "fast" (though an easy one to endure), since the morning meal is called "break-fast."

There is no prescribed frequency of fasting. Jesus expected His disciples to fast, but never commanded it. It is clear that, since He Himself fasted for forty days, He must have seen some spiritual value in it. I used to fast on a schedule, each week, but have modified my practice to only fast when I feel particularly moved to do so for some purpose.

Fasting from food, in itself, does not make points with God, if the person fasting is living otherwise in disobedience to God. God told the Jews that, instead of their fasting from food, He would prefer that they fast from sin and oppression of the weak (Isaiah 58).

The actual value of fasting has been much speculated about. Among the possible reasons for its efficacy often suggested are the following:

1. During a fast, the time normally devoted to preparing and eating meals can be devoted to the same time spent praying or doing God's work (John 4:31-34);

2. Fasting has a humbling (and hence a sanctifying) effect on the spirit. Pride and self-confidence often accompany a full stomach (Ps.35:13);

3. Fasting puts the flesh "in its place." As a discipline, then, fasting may be useful for the general purpose of conquering sensuality. Some people fast from food in hopes of overcoming other fleshly problems, like sexual lust (see 1 Cor.9:27);

4. Fasting and watching (with prayer) demonstrates to God that you are serious enough to pay a price or make some sacrifice to see the thing accomplished that you are praying for (Dan.9:3);

5. In a sense, a fast, being continuous, becomes a sort of non-stop offering-up of prayer all day long, even when your thoughts are obliged to be focused on other things;

6. Though this is not one of the spiritual dynamics of fasting, an occasional fast can be a very healthy thing, allowing the body to cleanse itself of toxins and such that we take in with our food.

Fasting is a personal choice between you and God. No one can require it of you, nor does anyone else have to know when you are doing it (Matt.6:16-18). Jesus said that fasting in the proper way would bring a reward from your Father in heaven (Matt.6:17-18).

[Guest]

That is the best summary of fasting I have ever seen. Thanks brother!

Ryan

[Guest]

Thanks Steve for your message on fasting and watching.

[Guest]

My muslim co-workers fast from sunrise to sun down then they can eat.

I never fast before but I feel like that I need to fast because I'm in a spiritual battle which I never experienced before..

Any thoughts with regards to the length of fasting or duration.

[Guest]

Steve wrote:

Both fastings and watchings were a part of Paul's spiritual discipline (2 Cor.6:5; 11:27)

To me, it doesn't seem that in the context these "fastings" were voluntary. My NASB just says "in hunger" or "being without food." All in the context of the ways he has suffered hardships. It doesn't seem to be a "spiritual discipline" but something that was forced on him because of his following Jesus.

[_Steve]

Hi Rae,

You may be correct about the involuntariness of some of Paul's fasts—that is, he may have been hungry, by necessity, at times when he would not specifically have chosen to fast.

In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul was listing things that he was regularly subjected to as a result of his faithfulness to his calling. Presumably, had he not been determined to be faithful, he could have lived a more comfortable life. In this sense, all of his hardships, including his imprisonment and eventual martyrdom, could be said to be "voluntary" (insofar as he voluntarily remained "at his post," where these difficulties found him). He spoke again of these things in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29, and seemed to include them as things of which he could "boast"—as if they were accomplishments somewhat of his own doing, because they came with the territory of choosing to follow Christ's call.

Discipline can be self-imposed or externally imposed. The ideal is for every child (and every adult) to be fully self-disciplined. But there is a discipline imposed upon children by parents (and upon citizens by the legal system) which, along with whatever self-discipline they may or may not also be exercising, tends to shape them into the disciplined persons they are to become.

I see self-imposed sacrifices, as well as those brought on by the parental disciplinary action of the Lord in our lives, to be equal parts of our spiritual discipline.

When Paul wrote, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection" (1 Cor.9:27), he may have been referring to the sum total of all his trials—whether circumstantial or self-imposed. The words sound as if he has the latter in mind. I think he may have "chosen" to fast at times when food was circumstantially scarce or unavailable. In other words, instead of becoming obsessed with finding food when such could not easily be obtained (as would be one's natural tendency), he may well have simply made the mental adjustment of being content not to eat, thus consecrating his deprivation to the Lord.

I may be reading too much of my own spiritual life into that of Paul, but I know that, when I have had to endure sufferings or deprivations which are involuntary and beyond my control, I have found peace and spiritual benefit in consecrating the suffering up to God as my offering to him. I would be surprised if Paul did not do something similar with his circumstantial hardships.

[Guest]

I've never heard "spiritual discipline" put quite like that before. It makes sense. Thanks!

[Guest]

My muslim co-workers fast from sunrise to sun down then they can eat.

I never fast before but I feel like that I need to fast because I'm in a spiritual battle which I never experienced before..

Any thoughts with regards to the length of fasting or duration.

Hey Paul,

Last school year I worked with a girl who I believe is demonized. I prayed a lot, and fasted three times during the year. I don't know if it helped, but it sure didn't hurt. Anyway, twice I fasted for a day, which I guess is more like 36 hours because I didn't eat from dinner on one evening until breakfast the day after the fast. Once I fasted all weekend. I really didn't do much research into how to do it, I just did.

Hmm...not much help really, huh?

Michelle

[Guest]

The pat answer is that the lenght of the fast, and what you fast, is between you and God. How could I tell you what or how long to fast?

that being said, it should be something that we will miss (food generally qualifies!) and for long enough that it will cause some discomfort. other than that, i dont think there are any hard and fast rules. i have read accounts of people who fasted until they received a "breakthrough" whatever that may be. of course some of paul's enemies said they would fast until paul was dead. i wonder if they died of hunger?

TK