I have fasted many times during my life. Sometimes I fasted from any media for an extended period (a few days), and sometimes I fasted from food for a day. However, I never fasted for a full 24 hours. However, one of my professors challenged us to fast for 24 hrs. I can’t say that it was easy, especially since I was so busy. I could not spend as much time in prayer and study as I had hoped; nonetheless, it was a blessing. I plan to do it again, and when I do, I will let you know how it goes. Nevertheless, I experienced an increased sense of peace and calm, but I know that I would have benefitted more if I didn’t have so much to do.

Why Should We Fast?

The Hebrew and Greek words for fasting both mean to abstain, afflict or humble.

Overtime fasting became drudgery and a ritual to show off one’s piety. Little wonder why Jesus said in Luke 18:9-14 [READ TEXT]. In other words, fasting without focusing on God is pointless. You can call it a quick way to lose weight, but it’s not fasting. Why should we fast? Notice what Joseph Kidder says:

“[When] we fast, we notice the fake, destructive things that we are attached to. Therefore, the purpose of fasting is to enhance our relationship with God and go deeper in our prayer life.

Kidder, S. Joseph. Journey to the Heart of God (p. 142). Pacific Press Publishing Association. Kindle Edition.

How to Prepare for Fasting

Because attitude is a critical element of fasting, there should be intentional preparation before undertaking a spiritually motivated fast:

1. Examine your motives (Isaiah 58:3–7).

2. Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (Romans 12:1, 2).

3. Ask God to reveal your sins to you (Psalm 19:12).

4. Confess your sins (1 John 1:9).

5. Seek forgiveness from those you have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 17:3, 4).

6. Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads (Matthew 5:23–26).

7. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 5:14, 15).

Kidder, S. Joseph. Journey to the Heart of God (p. 150). Pacific Press Publishing Association. Kindle Edition.

What Fasting is Not

1. Coercion: Isa 58:3-4

2. Penance: 1 John 1:9 . . . it is not self punishment

The Purpose of Fasting

1. Fasting combined with prayer is a means that can be used to seek and find a more joyful, intimate relationship with God. “ ‘Even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (Joel 2:12, 13).

2. Fasting in the Bible is used as a way to humble oneself before God(1 Samuel 7:6; Ezra 8:21). King David said, “I . . . humbled myself through fasting” (Psalm 35:13).

3. Fasting allows the Holy Spirit to work in you, showing you the “true spiritual condition [of your heart], resulting in brokenness, repentance and a transformed life”19 (1 Kings 21:27).

4. Fasting transforms your prayer life into a more meaningful and personal worship experience (Luke 2:37, 38; Colossians 3:17).

5. Fasting can give you the courage to do what is right in times of distress. Esther fasted and asked those around her to fast as she prepared to visit the king without being called. Such a visit could have cost her life; instead, it saved her people (Esther 4:16).

6. Fasting and ministry go hand and hand in the Bible. Jesus fasted at the start of His earthly ministry (Luke 4:1, 2). Paul fasted immediately after his Damascus Road encounter (Acts 9:9). Elijah fasted to once again hear the voice of God (1 Kings 19:8). Prayer and fasting were part of the laying on of hands before sending out missionaries and appointing elders in the early church (Acts 13:3; 14:23). Prophets often fasted on behalf of their people (Daniel 9:1–19). For example, Ezra “ate no food and drank no water, because he continued to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles” (Ezra 10:6).

7. Fasting can be an integral part of one’s spiritual journey. Bill Hull refers to this type of fasting as one that “intensely nourish[es]. . . [the] soul.”6 We see this in the life of Jesus when the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to prepare Him for ministry (Matthew 4:1, 2; Luke 4:1, 2). Paul also fasted after experiencing Christ in vision and seeing his need for personal revival (Acts 9:9).

8. Fasting can help in facing or overcoming personal challenges and problems.When David was falsely criticized or accused, he sought to humble himself and pray for vindication rather than retaliate (Psalms 35:13; 69:10; 109:24).

9. Fasting was used when God’s people were under threat of persecution. The plot by Haman to eradicate the Jews led to communal fasting (Esther 4:3). Today,

10. Fasting was seen as the appropriate response to impending calamity. When war was unexpectedly waged against Judah, the people came together to seek help from God. “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3).

11. Fasting is sometimes the only way to overcome mountainous obstacles and deep-rooted habits. Remember what Jesus said, “This kind can only come out . . . “

Some habits are generational and embedded in our DNA and can only come out . . .

Kidder, S. Joseph. Journey to the Heart of God (pp. 144-145). Pacific Press Publishing Association. Kindle Edition.