Expert: Paul Walker - 7/23/2006

Question
I am a born again christian. How do I go about fasting. Is there a particular way to fast? I do believe in the power of prayer. I just want to be totally submissive.

Answer
Dear Debra,

Thank you for your question. There are several forms of fasting. There is of course not eating or drinking anything, but this is not the only way. You have to understand the purpose for fasting which is to demonstrate to God how  important your request is to you. God is not vain and flippant as men who make so many light and vague supplications.

Fasting shows God your serious about your request, that it is more important to you than the comfort and care of your flesh. Natually, there are times during emergencies, immediate or imminent concerns were you would deny yourself totally. However, there are things of importance that are more long term or not of immediate need that one fast for in a differant manner.

Dan 10:2-3  In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ATE NO PLEASANT BREAD, NEITHER CAME FLESH NOR WINE IN MY MOUTH, NEITHER DID I ANOINT MYSELF AT ALL, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Here Daniel fasted by not eating any danties or pleasant foods, he probably ate as he did in chapter one.

Daniel 1:12  Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us PULSE TO EAT, AND WATER TO DRINK.

The point is to deny yourself the comforts and luxuries of the flesh to demonstrate that your prayer is more important to you than yourself. Food and drink is the first thing people think of in relation to fasting, but I think others things might apply to the long term petitions.

Just a reminder:

James 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

I hope this has helped you in your quest to understand fasting.

Your Servant in Christ Jesus,

Paul Walker
www.aficj.org