What’s the Point of Fasting?

by
image byKamil Szumotalski on Unsplash

Have you ever fasted? There are multiple ways of fasting. There’s intermittent fasting, liquid fasting, alternate day fasting, fasting for 8 hours prior to lab tests.

Then there’s giving up something for Lent. Last year, I “fasted” from reading fiction for 40 days. I was successful in keeping the fast, and I’d like to say that I used those 40 days to focus on God and improve my prayer life. But that would only be partiallly true.

But I’m not talking about any of those. I’m talking the kind of Christian fasting described in the blog Daniels Fast Journey–“abstinence from food or drink for a specific period of time while focusing on prayer and fellowship with God.” 

I googled “Biblical fasting” in order to find examples of fasting in both the Old and the New Testaments. Melissa, the author of “Cups to Crowns,” has done the work for me. The following is a summary of information from her blog:

Types, Lengths, and 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 went for 3 without food and water.
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, 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.
7. A 40-day fast. 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.

  • 1 Kings 19:8. Elijah ate and drank then was sustained his 40 days of fasting.

  • Matthew 4:2-4. Jesus fasted for 40 days. 

In summary, there’s plenty of Biblical documentation of fasting. The Pharisees fasted. John the Baptist and his disciples fasted.

  • What if, for a period of time, we forced ourselves to replace those obsessive thoughts of food with thoughts of God?
  • Instead of mindlessly reaching for yet another French fry, what if we reach for our Bibles?
  • What if our desire for more of God overshadowed our desire for temporary physical satisfaction?

To conclude, and to borrow again from Daniel’s Fasting Blog, “abstaining from comforts and biblical fasting are about more than deprivation. When we fast, we are setting ourselves apart for a purpose. It’s not just about outward behavior but also seeking the Lord with our heart, soul, and mind.”

I have never fasted, and I must admit that the idea does not appeal to me. At all. I love food. It’s one of my favorite things. And maybe, just maybe, that’s why I need to think more about fasting. I’ll keep you posted.

 

If you enjoyed this article, then please REPOST or SHARE with others; encourage them to followAFNN. If you’d like to become a citizen contributor for AFNN, contact us at managingeditor@afnn.us

 

Post Views: 76

Leave a Comment