Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 10/12/2005

Question
Why Should I fast?
How long should I fast?
Is fasting just not eating meat or is it not eating any food at all.

Answer
Hi Carl,
 The following should help you with understanding fasting. Thanks for your question.  If I can help further please write.
FASTING. Biblical fasting is the freewill practice of abstaining from food and/or the pleasantries of life for the purpose of devoting oneself to God and concentrating on spiritual goals, particularly the goal of defeating spiritual enemies and overcoming the lusts of the flesh..

"Fasting is nothing else than the abstinence and temperance of the godly, and a watching and chastising of our flesh, taken up for present necessity, whereby we are humbled before God, and withdraw from the flesh those things with which it is cherished, to the end that it may the more willingly and easily obey the Spirit. The fasts wherein the Jews fasted from meat, and not from wickedness, pleased God nothing at all, as we may see in the books of the Prophets. ... All fasts ought to proceed from a free and willing spirit" (The Second Helvetic Confession, 1566, XXII).

WARNINGS ABOUT FASTING. (1) Fasting is not for salvation (Lk. 18:9-14). (2) Fasting must not be for show (Mt. 6:16-18). (3) Fasting is not to be a religious ritual (Lk. 18:12). (4) Fasting is unacceptable and ineffectual without a right relationship with God (Is. 58:3-9; Zec. 7:5-6). (5) Biblical fasting is not for physical health. We cannot say whether or not fasting is good for the health, but we do know that the Bible never speaks of fasting in this context. (6) Fasting is not to be an ascetic practice (Col. 2:20-23). The ascetic punishes himself in a vain attempt to know God, to find favor with God, or to attain spiritual power. The Christian has all of this freely in Jesus Christ (Col. 2:1-23). (7) Fasting does not necessarily guarantee that one's prayers will be answered (2 Sa. 12). (8) Fasting is a personal matter. Fasting is important and useful in Christian life and service, but it is not something by which we are to judge the spiritual condition of others. God does not COMMAND fasting; He COMMENDS it.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING. (1) The importance of fasting is seen in the number of positive references in the Old and New Testaments (Ju. 20:26; 1 Sa. 1:6-7; 7:6; 31:13; 2 Sa. 1:12; 1 Ki. 21:27; 2 Ch. 20:3; Ezr. 8:21-23; Ne. 1:4; 9:1-2; Es. 4:16; 9:3; Ps. 35:13-14; 69:10-11; Is. 58:6-8; Je. 36:9; Joel 1:14; 2:12,15; Jn. 3:5; Da. 9:3; Mt. 4:2; 6:17-18; 9:14-15; 17:21; Mk. 9:29; Lk. 2:37; Ac. 13:2; 14:23; 1 Co. 7:5; 2 Co. 6:5; 11:27). (2) Fasting is one of the ways whereby a minister of Christ approves himself (2 Co. 6:4-10). (3) The Lord Jesus Christ made a definite promise about fasting (Mt. 6:17-18). (4) The Lord Jesus said very plainly that His disciples would fast after His departure (Mt. 9:14-15). (5) God's choicest servants have practiced fasting throughout the centuries. (6) Prayer with fasting is the only spiritual practice which is to interfere with the physical aspect of the marital relationship (1 Co. 7:1-5). (7) Fasting is necessary for breaking down certain demonic strongholds (Mt. 17:18-21).

WHEN SHOULD WE FAST? (1) Fast when sorely tempted (Mt. 4:2). (2) Fast when wisdom is earnestly desired (Da. 9:3). (3) Fast when help and protection are needed (Ezr. 8:21-23; 2 Ch. 20:3; Je. 36:9). (4) Fast when victory is desired in seemingly impossible situations (Es. 4:10-17; 9:31; Ne. 1:4). (5) Fast when something is earnestly desired from God and the answer has not come through prayer alone (1 Sa. 1:6-7). (6) Fast when in mourning for loved ones or the defeat of God's people (2 Sa. 1:12). (7) Fast when new ministries are launched and when men go forth to proclaim God's Word and battle spiritual enemies (Ac. 13:2-3; 14:23). (8) Fast when involved in spiritual ministry (2 Co. 6:5; 11:27). (9) Fast during times of special repentance, confession, and revival (Joel 1:14-15; 2:12; 2:15; Ne. 9:1-2).

WHAT IS A BIBLICAL FAST? A biblical fast is to focus one's attention wholly toward God, abstaining from lawful pleasantries, to the end of resolving certain extraordinary spiritual needs. It incorporates the following: (1) Abstinence from food and normal physical pleasures (Da. 10:3; 1 Co. 7:5). (2) Prayer (Mt. 17:21). (3) Confession of sins (Da. 9:3-6). (4) Service toward God (Is. 58:6-8).