FASTING

It is the definition of discipline as a noun that we focus on. Discipline –– a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education; to train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control

In week 1 we talked about what meditation is and is not, why we should meditate, how to prepare and then examples of meditation – experiencing biblical stories, focused concentration on Scripture or creation.

Then we looked at the Discipline of Prayer. We defined prayer as communication between us and God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and the communication is not a monologue but two-way. And unlike meditation that requires other disciplines to be in motion as well –prayer can be done in isolation, it is a counterpart of many of the other disciplines like meditation, solitude study, and today’s discipline - FASTING.

Let us Pray!

The concept of fasting is to voluntarily deny yourself or an otherwise normal activity or function in order to deepen your spiritual relationship or a spiritual activity.

I. What Is Fasting?

It is not self-flagellation and starvation.

God Centered – God Initiated

David writes in Psalm 69:10 – When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.

Ezra 8:23 – So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

Acts 13:2 – While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 14:23 – And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Discipline of Fasting can help keep us balanced – many benefits for such as increased effectiveness in intercessory prayer, guidance in decisions, increased concentration, deliverance for those in bondage, physical well-being, revelations, and so on.

Fasting cannot be done in isolation – must be accompanied with Prayer

This is not a diet fast – a spiritual fast to break us of a stronghold, bring clarity for an answer, to draw us into deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Fasting can bring breakthroughs in the spiritual realms that will never happen any other way.

II. Why Should I Fast?

1. It's Biblical –

Joel 2:12 – “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

a. Moses fasted while on Mt Saini – Elijah – 40 day absolute fasts within the presence of God (Exodus 34:28 and 1 Kings 19:8)

Exodus 34:28 – So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

1 Kings 19:8 – And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

b. Daniel Fasted (Daniel 10:3) – partial – no delicacies, meat or wine

Daniel 9:3 – Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

Daniel 10:3 – ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.

c. Ester Fasted (Ester 4:16) – absolute – 3 days no food – no water

Ester 4:16 – “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

d. Regular Fasts – 4th/5th/7th/10th months –

Zechariah 8:19 – “Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.

e. Anna prophetess – Luke 2:37 –She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

f. Jesus fasted while in the desert (Luke 4) – abstained from food/eating

Luke 4:1-2 – Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

g. Paul (Acts 9:9) – absolute fast

Acts 9:9 – And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

h. Corporate Fast – one day – day of atonement Leviticus 23, Joel 2 and 2 Chronicles 20 when Judah was invaded, Nineveh when Jonah preached, Ezra called people to fast while they travel (Ezra 8)

Many churches do corporate fasts – January to start the year off, 21 days of Fasting, or when big decisions are needing to be made

2. Jesus said to – not a command

Matthew 6:16-18 – “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Jesus says “WHEN” you fast not “IF” you fast

3. It Reveals what controls us – what we are focused on – what's important to us

pride, bitterness, addiction, jealousy, fear will quickly surface during a fast –

Isaiah 58:6 – “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

4. It is also a great companion to prayer and study

III. How to Fast?

1. Partial Fast – skip 2 meals (most common is fasting lunch to lunch) – fruit juice can be consumed. When you end your fast – let it be with a light meal, prayer and worship

2. Normal Fast – no food for 24 hrs – healthy amounts of water – if successful bump it up to 36 hrs fast once you’ve successfully completed a 24 hr fast

3. Extended Fast – more than 3 days – 4-40 days

Day 4 hunger pains subside, if dizzy give times of rest during the day, take steps to keep warm. Days 21 – 40 starvation will occur – never go more than 40 days

Break an extended fast slowly with a1-2 days only doing fruit juice – day 2-3 – add fruit, milk, yogurt, days 3-4 salads and cooked veggies (w/o dressings, fast or starches)

Other types –

4. Caffeine fast – avoid all caffeine drinks

5. Sugar fast – avoid all foods with processed sugar (only natural sugar that occurs in fruits and veggies)

6. Daniel Fast – only fruits and veggies – no meat, starches, fats, processed sugars etc.

Daniel 1:16 – So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

7. Fast From People – Discipline of Solitude will get to that in a few weeks

8. Fast From Media –

9. From Technology – avoid smart devices (tv’s, phones, computers, etc for entertainment news etc – only communication).

Related Media

Related Sermons