Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 10/12/2005

Question
Why should I Fast? How long should I Fast? and is Fasting not eating meat or is it not eating food any food at all.  

Answer
Hello Carl,
Thank you for your question. The bible mentions fasting from time to time but never spells out its purpose so we have to glean from what we know of the practice of fasting. Jesus assumed His disciples would fast. In Matt 6:16 He said, 'When you fast..' not 'if you fast'. We know that fasting was part of the ceremonial life within Judaism but we also know that the early church was involved in fasting. We see this in Acts13:2 and 14:23. Therefore the answer to the first part of your question is that we should fast because Jesus expected it and the church, from its earliest days practised it. We also know that Jesus fasted. See Matt 4:2.
The answer to how long you fast for is not as straightforward. Some fast by missing one meal. Others fast for a full day and some for longer. Perhaps the answer is tied up with the purpose. The purpose of fasting is the denial of physical appetite in order that the spiritual side of us may become more sensitive to God. We deny something that is a normal part of our existence, something on which we have come to depend. Sometimes we fast simply to spend the time getting closer to God. Sometimes it is becasue we face a particular need for wisdom. Jesus said that some spirits only can be removed by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). In the earlier Acts references fasting was used when there was need to choose people for a task and formally to appoint them.
There are no rules governing how often or how long we should fast. It is a matter of responding to God's prompting and recognising our need.
Fasting is normally to do without food for a period of time though I would normally advise that plenty of water should be drunk. Also if a person has a medical condition such as diabetes, medical advice should be sought before fasting. It is usually best to start with a day's fasting and then build up to longer periods if you wish to.
Fasting may not always involve abstinence from food. I know someone who fasted from his television for a week and found his life transfomed. As I said earlier it is about starving one set of senses that our spiritual senses might be heightened.
Of course in Matthew 6 we learn that when we do fast we should not draw attention to the fact or suggest in any way that we are more spiritual than others for doing so.
I hope my comments are of some help to you and pray that God will bless you.
Stuart Woodward