10 KEY POINTS ABOUT FASTING
10 KEY POINTS ABOUT FASTING
- Fasting is a voluntary, spiritual, personal exercise usually supported with prayers designed to call God’s attention to a need/challenge that require additional focus.
- David fasted as a sign of grief when Abner was murdered (2 Samuel 3:35). There was a seven-day fast at the death of Saul (1 Samuel 31:13). As the apostle Paul was being transported to Rome as a prisoner the ship was caught in a violent storm. Fearing death, those aboard did not eat for many days (Acts 27:18-20, 33-34).
- Fasting is a self-sacrifice that makes one humble and more accepting of God’s will. Moses fasted for forty days in preparation for receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). Daniel fasted for three weeks before receiving his vision (Daniel 10:2-6). Elijah fasted forty days before speaking with God (1 Kings 19:8). Jesus fasted for forty days in preparation for His temptation by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13).
- In both the Old and New Testaments, fasting is seen as useful for humbling oneself as a sign of commitment or repentance and for increasing faith, especially when accompanied by prayer. Fasting allowed one to be devoted to spiritual matters without distraction from earthly things. However, fasting was not to be considered an end in itself, nor a substitute for obedience to God and doing good deeds (Isaiah 58:3-10).
- When Jonah predicted the downfall of Nineveh, The Ninevites fasted as a sign of repentance in hopes God would spare their city (Jonah 3:3-9). The Day of Atonement was an annual obligatory day of rest and fasting for the Israelites (Numbers 29:7). When the Israelites had sinned, they often humbled themselves and fasted in hopes of regaining God’s favor (Judges 20:26, 1 Samuel 7:6).
- Fasting is an individual assignment and at some point that of a group if the need/challenge is such that affects the entire group. (Act 13:2)
- Fasting does not require announcement or anything that will tell the world you are fasting or about to embark on it. (Matthew 6:16-18)
- An individual can fast for another without the notice or information of the one being fasted for. There is no biblical example for contract fasting where people are paid to fast for the problems of others.
- The length of time is relative to an individual and his health status. 12 hours(12midnight to 12noon), 15hours(12 midnight to 3pm) and 18hours (12 midnight to 6pm) are the simple form of fasting. Some can go on to even days. It does not make them more holy or get good result.
- Two forms generally exists with no biblical backing. Dry and wet. Dry fasting is completely without water while wet fasting is accompanied with occasional drinking of water. None is superior to the other. (Act 9:9)
