Types, Lengths, And Purposes of Biblical Fasts
BIBLICAL FASTING
Not a single one of us wants to do without our pleasures, especially food.
We have the meat cravers, the bread cravers, the sugar cravers...we all know what we want and we want it when we want it. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself how many times each day thoughts of food zoom through your mind. Thoughts as simple as:
What am I going to eat? How will I fix it?
Am I properly prepared or do I need to run past the store first?
What can I have for dessert?
That would be a yummy snack!
When can I squeeze in that extra cupcake without looking like a piglet?
Oh, wait! Did you see that commercial? That burger looked amazing!
What should we have for dinner this weekend?
I wonder if anyone will complain if we have bacon-cakes for a side dish again tonight?
BUT WHAT IF
But what if for a period of time we forced ourselves to replace those obsessive thoughts of food with thoughts of God?
What if instead of mindlessly reaching for yet another french fry we reach for our Bible?
What if our desire for more of God overshadowed our desire for temporary physical satisfaction?
FASTING FOUNDATION
If you have not read Our Biblical Foundation for Fasting (part 1), I encourage you to do that before continuing. Although we want to dive into fasting, it is so critical that we take the time to do things in order. Building a firm foundation with biblical fasting is a great starting point!
THY WILL BE DONE
The very first revelation I had was that Christians are called to fast and no one is excluded. Not even me. But just as with our salvation and our prayers, God will not force fasting on us. But it is his desire that all his children spend time one-on-one with him. It is his desire that we set aside our physical pleasure for things we must accept on faith.
The special blessings we get from fasting are there. We just have to be willing and purpose in our hearts to do what it takes to reach our hand towards God and accept them. I'm not talking about riches, power, or status. God doesn't care about those things. I'm talking about peace, wisdom, direction, comfort, joy, healing, increase in faith, and so much more.
Take the time to read about and study each fast that the Holy Spirit draws your attention to. Because although no two biblical fasts are the same, if you study each biblical fast, you will begin to see a pattern emerge. If the fast you are reading about is one that God is drawing you to participate in, He has details in the account that will specifically bless you.
Let’s dive in…
TYPES, LENGTHS, & PURPOSES OF FASTS FOUND IN THE BIBLE
1. A 1-day fast (sunrise to sunset). Judges 20:26, to seek direction from the Lord.
2. A 3-day fast without food or drink. Esther 4:16, for wisdom, discernment, protection, and guidance. In Acts 9:9 Saul was converted but for 3 days he went without food and water.
*So far I've found that these 3-day fasts are the last complete fasts mentioned. The rest of the fasts either do not specify or say food only was fasted.
3. A 7-day fast. 1 Samuel 31:13. For wisdom, seeking comfort from grief, and guidance.
4. A 10-day fast of vegetables and water only. Daniel 1:12, Daniel was fasting for favor, strength, wisdom, and discernment.
5. A 14-day fast. Acts 27:33-34. Paul and the men on the ship fasted food for protection and wisdom.
6. A 21-day fast. Daniel 10:3, for times of distress and mourning. No meat, wine, rich or pleasant food, and no oils. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, and water instead. In modern times, this is a popular fast (and diet).
7. A 40-day fast. I can only find three 40-day fasts in the Bible. Each person was divinely appointed and touched by God for this type of fast.
Exodus 34:28 and Deuteronomy 9:9, 9:18. Moses neither ate nor drank water.
In 1 Kings 19:8, Elijah ate and drank then was sustained his 40 days of fasting.
In Matthew 4:2-4, Jesus fasted food for 40 days. It says afterward he was hungry (being thirsty isn't mentioned and Satan tries to tempt him with food, not water).
*Because there are so few 40-day fasts in the Bible, I would caution you to be very careful in undertaking this type of fast. A 40-day fast is not something you should ever jump into without much preparation.
ADDITIONAL BIBLICAL FASTS AND THEIR PURPOSES
We aren't always told how long a time of fasting lasted or if it was a complete fast (no food or water) or a partial fast (water only) but we are usually told why God's people fasted. Let’s look at a few of those:
FASTING FOR PROTECTION IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
Ezra 8:21-23. When we don't know what to do for ourselves or our family members, but we know we need God's protection, we can fast and turn to God for his help and direction. We weren't told how long they fasted.
FASTING FOR REPENTANCE
1. In 1 Samuel 7:3-6, the people felt abandoned by God. This was due to their actions, not God's. God told Samuel to tell His people to repent. The people obeyed and began a time of fasting. God answered their prayers.
2. Nehemiah 1:4, Nehemiah prayed and fasted for many days and nights (we aren’t told exactly how long or what they fasted) for God's people. He also prayed for wisdom, understanding, and favor.
3. In the book of Jonah, God sent Jonah to tell the people to repent. The people proclaimed a complete fast (no food or drink) and cried out to God. We aren't told how long they fasted.
4. Joel 2:12-13, God calls his people to come to him with fasting, weeping, and mourning. He wants our effort to come from our hearts, not for attention. He doesn't say how long or what type of fast.
FASTING TO BREAK STRONGHOLDS
1. Jesus said this kind (meaning lack of faith) only come out by prayer and fasting. Lack of faith is a major stronghold the enemy uses to bind us. Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:28-29.
2. Isaiah 58:6. Fasting breaks strongholds (ours and others) including addictions.
As far as addictions, it doesn't have to be addictions to things like sex or drugs or alcohol. It can be addictions to social media, Tv, shopping ...whatever takes your time and focus off of God.
If you are frequently turning to things instead of God you are allowing that stronghold to have power over you; it has become a god in your life. A stronghold isn’t always an addiction. It can be depression or crippling anxiety for example.
*By the way, a "serious" addiction or an "acceptable" addiction is all the same to God.
FASTING FOR GOD'S DIRECTION
Acts 13:2, 14:23, The apostles went into a time of fasting and blessed with heavenly wisdom, instruction, and power. We don't know for sure how long they fasted or what they fasted.
FASTING FOR OUR ENEMIES
This one is a hard one for many people to comprehend. But maybe the purpose of this fast is as much for you as it is for your enemy. After all, you do not want to hard heart or resentment to be festering inside your soul. Maybe through this type of a fast God helps you release those ungodly emotions towards the other person.
Anyway, as you can see in Psalm 35:13, we should fast and pray for our enemies. It doesn't say how long or what to abstain from.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I know there are more examples of fasting in the Bible but this gives us a great starting point. If you feel led to begin fasting (and I pray that you do!), always begin with prayer. Ask God to tell you what you should do and how you should do it.
In our next fasting post, we will begin to look at practical tips to help you during your time of fasting. In it, you will find insight to guide you through a biblical fast as well as ideas of how to properly end your spiritual fast.
YOUR TURN
Have you been led to make biblical fasting a part of your lifestyle? What is your usual type of fast?
