Biblical Information About Fasting

Information About Fasting

Webster - Fasting is a time set aside to pray with no provision for ones normal food needs. It is a voluntary denial of food. It is refusing to eat what is allowed.

            Fasting is biblical – Joel 2:12; 2 Cor. 6:4-6; Matt. 9:15; Matt. 17:21

Reasons to fast:

1. Obedience to God’s word.
2. We fast to humble ourselves before God and obtain his grace and power 1 Pet. 5:5-6.
3. We fast to overcome temptations in areas that keep us from moving into God’s power.
4. To be purified from sin.
5. To become weak before God so God’s power can become strong.
6. To obtain God’s support in order to accomplish His will.
7. When we are in a time of crisis.
8. Seeking God for direction.
9. To Obtain understanding and divine revelation.

Benefits of fasting according to Isa. 58:

• Revelation
• Healing and wholeness
• Righteousness
• The presence of the Glory of God
• Answered prayer
• Continual guidance
• Refreshing
• Contentment
• Strength
• Work that endures
• Restoration
• Raising up of future generations             

*From Mahesh Chavda “The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting”

Total Fast: No food or water (should consult a physician) usually not recommended. Should only do if you are led of God.

Normal Fast: Water only (Luke 4)

Partial Fast: Mainly fruits and vegetables (some include brown rice, legumes and soups)

Corporate Fast: Fasting in agreement (i.e. prayer of agreement) 2 Chronicles 20 and Jonah 3.

Additional Information About Fasting

2 Chr. 7:14  If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn form their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. 

1. What is revival?
   • sovereign act of God
   • divine visitation
   • personal humiliation, forgiveness, restoration in the Holy Spirit
   • the presence of the Holy Spirit is powerful
   • changes communities and nations 
2. Why do we need to fast?
   • biblical way to humble ourselves before God (Ps 35:13, Ez 18:21)
   • brings revelation by the Holy Spirit of a person’s true spiritual condition.  Resulting in boldness, repentance, and change
   • brings the inner workings of the Holy Spirit to light in an unusual, powerful way
   • helps us understand the word better by making it meaningful and practical
   • transforms prayer
   • reduces the power of self so the Holy Spirit can do intense work within us
   • burns out selfishness
   • we willingly submit to God
   • Results:          
     • dynamic personal revival
     • restores us back to our first love
3. Helps in other ways
   • inner calm and self control
   • renews spiritual vision
   • determination to follow God’s plans for our lives
   • Fasting calls for sacrifice (Matt. 16:24)
   • brings wars against the flesh
   • brings forth power (Gal. 5:17)
4. The Group fast is very powerful
   • people must be prepared
   • be of one mind
   • one focus
   • Results: 
     • broken relationships healed
     • unified body of Christ
5. Why Fast?
   • The Lord commands us to (Joel 2:12,13)
   • Jesus demonstrated fasting to us (Matt. 6:2, 5,16)
   • prepares us for the deepest communication with our Lord
6. Pure heart and motive brings results
   • don’t fast because someone else is
   • be lead by God as to which kind of fast-- or when to fast
   • set time aside for praying-- it’s vital
   • God must be the center of our attention
7. Rewards
   • God will honor you
   • changes you inwardly and outwardly
   • will supply a supernatural supply of energy
8. Pray for
• Great commission to be fulfilled
• Israel
• world leaders
• national leaders
• church leaders
• community
• loved ones, friends, church
• personal needs
• the Lord’s help during your fast
• that he will enable you to continue your fast
• stand on Is 40:31

Three kinds of fasts: partial, absolute, supernatural absolute
1. partial
   • Daniel fast--abstain from delicacies, meat, sweets, wine (Da 10:3)
   • abstinence from certain select foods and drink but not all foods and drinks
2. absolute and supernatural fasts
   • both are similar--abstaining from food solid or liquid (Act 9:9)
3. Recommended fast
   • distilled water along with a variety of fruit and vegetable juices
   • frequent intake of liquid
   • options:  one meal a day, one day a week, several days, forty days

How to begin

1. set objectives (2 Chr 7:14)
2. prepare yourself--by repentance
3. prepare physically--eat smaller meals leading up to fast
4. ask which fast the Lord wants you to do
5. limit your daily activities
6. consider the medications your taking--consult your doctor

If you break your fast

• don’t be discouraged
• God is pleased with you for what you did accomplish
• He looks at the HEART