The Mosiac law only had one fast, on the Day of Atonement - Leviticus 16:29

Four more were added after the Babylonian exile in order to remember times of trial - Zechariah 8:19

By Jesus’ time on earth the Pharisees were committed to two fasts a week - Luke 18:12 (parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector at the temple)

2.     Why fast?

2.1     Jesus said we would

Jesus said, when questioned about fasting that after he was taken up “in those days they will fast” - Luke 5:35.  It should be part of our spiritual disciplines along with reading the Bible, praying, worship, meeting together, etc.  Jesus said, “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16) not if you fast.

Many benefits and an implied reward “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” - Matthew 6:17-18

2.2     Repentance

• 1 Kings 21:27 - Personal (Ahab after Elijah confronts him)
• Joel 1:13 - 14 - National (Israel called to repentance)
• 1 Samuel 7:6 - National (Israel turns back to the Lord at Mizpah)
• Deuteronomy 9:18 (Moses for 40 days after the golden calf)

2.3     To hear from God

• Acts 13:2 - 3 (the Lord sets apart Saul and Barnabus)
• Acts 9:9 (Saul in Damascus waiting for Ananias)
• Judges 20:26 (the Israelites need to know God’s mind after 3 defeats)
• Luke 2:37 (Anna the prophetess to increase spiritual awareness)
• Daniel 10:2-3 (partial fast for the interpretation of revelation for 21 days)

2.4     Set times of fasting together

• Zecariah 7:5 (empty ritual of fasting in 5th and 7th months)
• Zecariah 8:19 (fasts commemorating national disasters)
• Nehemiah 9:1 (a day of confession, reading and worshipping)

2.5     To seek the Lord’s help in times of need - protection

• 2 Chronicles 20:3 (Jehoshaphat threatened by Moab and Amon)
• Jeremiah 36:6 & 9 (national emergency)
• Ezra 8:21 - 23 (Ezra fasts for the journey back to Jerusalem)
• Esther 4:16 (people fast as Esther visits the king)
• Isaiah 58:8b (all round protection - righteousness and glory)

2.6     To release the Lord’s blessing - added power to prayer

• Acts 14:23 (Paul and Barnabus commission the elders)
• Psalms 35:13 - 14 (David fasts when his enemies are ill!)
• Isaiah 58:6-9 (to release social justice and healing)
• Matthew 17:21 (prayer and fasting for deliverance)
• Daniel 6:18 (the king when Daniel was in the lion’s den)

2.7     To plead for mercy and avoid the judgement of God

• Joel 2:12 - 17 (encouragement from God to return to Him)
• Jonah 3:5 (Ninevites in response to Jonah’s prophecy)
• 2 Samuel 12:16-23 (David for the life of his child after Nathan confronts him)
• Daniel 9:1 - 3 (Daniel fasts in response to prophetic insight)

2.8     Mourning for the way things are

• Nehemiah 1:4 (Nehemiah in response to the news of Jerusalem)
• 2 Samuel 1:12 (David and men mourn for Saul)
• Psalm 69:10 (David as part of his spirituality)
• Ezra 10:6 (Ezra weeps and mourns for the exiles)
• 1 Samuel 20:34 (Jonathan at Saul’s treatment of David)

2.9     Puts things in perspective

It increases gratitude/appreciation for what we take for granted.  The provision of the Lord for all our needs

2.10     Reminds us to pray

Every time you stomach gurgles you remember to pray!

3.     What can I do?

3.1     Types

Normally a fast would imply not eating.

1. No solid food but drinking liquids ie tea, coffee
2. No solid food and only drinking water – 40 days max
3. No food or water – maximum 3 days

There are other types of fast too:

• Abstinence from choice food or wine - Daniel 10:3
• Abstinence from other things such as sex - 1 Corinthians 7:5

3.2     Frequency and length

In the bible there are lots of examples of fasts giving frequency and length

Motive and sincerity are more important than length

• Twice a week - Luke 18:12
• Till the evening - Judges 20:26 and 2 Samuel 1:12
• Three days without food or drink - Esther 4:16 and Acts 9:9
• Seven days - 1 Samuel 31:13
• Forty days and forty nights - Jesus (Matthew 4:2), Moses(Exodus 24:18 instructions for the tabernacle and 1st tablets; Exodus 34:28 receiving the law; Deuteronomy 9:18 after the golden calf incident) Elijah (1Kings 19:8)
• To the point of exhaustion - Psalms 109:24

3.3     Making a choice

What you choose to do will be guided by the Lord and what the purpose of your fast is.  Just as with everything else in the Christian Life there are times and seasons.  Jesus implied this when asked about fasting compared to John the Baptists disciples.

For regular on-going fasting I would suggest that it is reasonable to go without food for breakfast and lunch and eat again in the evening – 24 hours without food in total.

But just missing a meal so that you can pray is a good place to start. 

3.4     What can I do while fasting?

Nehemiah 9:1-3

·      Confess our sin - 1 Samuel 7:6

·      Read the Bible - Nehemiah 9:1-3 and Jeremiah 36:6

·      Worship - Nehemiah 9:1-3

·      Pray - Daniel 9:3

4.     How should I do it?

What should our attitude be when it comes to fasting?

Isaiah 58:3-5

• Not done as our side of the bargain to force God’s hand - Isaiah 58:3a
• An attitude of heart not legalistic - Isaiah 58:3b – 5 very tempting
• It comes out of a life near to God, it doesn’t make one in itself - Isaiah 58:5

Done in humility, to humble ourselves - Psalm 35:13

Not drawing attention to the fact so as to appear very spiritual - Matthew 6:16

Let God be the focus - Zechariah 7:5

Although there is an implied reward - Matthew 6:18