Daily Word
Prepared By: Suzy Naber
20 /11/2006
In this last chapter, I will write about the types of fast and the duration. The Bible records many different types and lengths of fasts:
1) The absolute fast: On this fast, you take in nothing, no food no drinks. Moses went on this kind of fast for 40 days. (Exodus 34:28) "And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments".
That is a human impossibility apart from divine intervention since no one could survive 40 days with no drink; this was a miracle since he was in the very presence of God and God sustained him. You could follow this absolute fast for few days; or you could fast one day at a time until sunset and eat one meal, and start all over again for as many days as you decide. In Acts 9 we read that Paul fasted three days without eating and drinking. Esther, Mordecai, and those with them also fasted for seventy-two hours without eating or drinking.
2) The normal fast: you typically go without food of any kind for a certain number of days but you may drink liquids. You just abstain from food. You may have only water or depending on the length of the fast, you may take juices or even clear soup. This is what most people do and is also called "liquid fast". They don’t eat solid foods, but they drink plenty of water and various types of juice. It seems Jesus fasted from food for forty days, as we read in Matthew 4 and Luke 4.
3) The partial fast, you can omit particular foods and drink for an extended period of time. The most common example of "partial fast" is the "Daniel fast", similar to the one that the churches are practicing. Daniel and his three companions refused to eat meat and sweets from the king's table, eating instead vegetables and water for 10 days. Again Daniel used this partial fast for 21 days abstaining from rich food, such as meat and sweets. He and three friends gave up sweets, meat and wine, consuming only vegetables and water; seeking the Lord. (Daniel 1:12-13).
Duration of Fast: Unless you really felt a prompting from the Lord to begin a longer fast, say a week or more, begin with shorter fasts; but make it a lifestyle habit each month. You could start by skipping one or two meals or fasting for one day or for three days. The Bible speaks about fasting for three days, seven days, twenty-one days, and forty days. You could follow any of the above mentioned fasts. It is something between you and God; but should always be a denial of food.
When you decide to fast, there are certain things you should consider while fasting:
§ Prayer must always be bound to your fasting. They go together. Consider how much time you will spend in prayer during your fast. Perhaps you can pray and worship through the times you would normally eat.
§ Begin with your request before the Lord, (see part 2 – the purpose for fasting)
§ Show God an attitude of humility (Nehemiah 1:4 and 7)
§ Deal with unconfessed sin; confess your sin (Nehemiah 1:6)
§ Remind God of His promises (Nehemiah 1:8)
§ Intercede for others in prayers, just as Nehemiah
§ Prepare yourself spiritually; begin with an expectant heart to receive answers and blessings from God
§ Decide what activities you will need to cut out, such as television, movies, or other pleasures and amusements and try to remain focused on God.
§ Avoid showmanship when you fast; look normal and don't call attention to your fasting.
A good example is outlined in the first chapter of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a Prophet and saw a problem with the people of God that caused him to weep because of his concern.
Some examples of the Old Testament about the people who fasted:
Moses (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9, 18) on
Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:34) was grieved at his father’s mistreatment of David.
Saul (1 Samuel 28:20) was seeking direction.
David (2 Samuel 3:35; 12:16) seeking mercy concerning his sick child.
Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) while traveling to
Ahab (1 Kings 21:27) as an act of humility before the Lord.
Exiles who returned to
Ezra (Ezra 10:6) mourned over the unfaithfulness of the returned exiles.
Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4) fasted when we heard the news about the condition of
Esther and her nation (Esther 4:3) fasted as she prepared to approach the king
Darius (Daniel 6:18) fasted when Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den.
Daniel (Daniel 9:3; 10:3) fasted seeking revelation and understanding.
People of
Hannah wept and did not eat (1 Sam 1:7) to bear a child
New Testament Examples
Anna (Luke 2:37) fasted as an act of worship.
Jesus (Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2) fasted in preparation for His public ministry. Disciples of John (Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18) fasted as a regular habit.
Pharisees (Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18; Luke 18:12) fasted primarily as a means of demonstrating their “righteousness” to others.
Paul (Acts 9:9; 13:1-3; 14:23; 27:21, 33; 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27) fasted on a number occasions; it was a regular part of his lifestyle.
Prophets and teachers at
Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3; 14:23) fasted when faced with the task of appointing church leadership.
Crew on the stormy sea with Paul (Acts 27:21, 33) fasted out of fear of death in shipwreck.
In ending this series of "Fasting", would like to quote Paul's warning in Philippians 3:19 "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach." We live in an age of gluttony, in the age of the belly-god. It is quite easy to practice gluttony in our society. We can eat again and again, even in the middle of the night even when we are not hungry. I strongly believe that the spiritual discipline of fasting will help us to learn and exercise the self-control we need.
Jesus warns us about the dangers of living in a society such as ours. In Luke 21:34-36 he said, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap; For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of
Scripture to Read: Nehemiah chapter One
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us be ready for your coming. Let us be always on watch and pray so we can stand before you, when you come. Come Lord Jesus, Amen.
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