Fasting for Faith
Fasting
Chart: Fasting and Prayer—The Cure for Unbelief
The disciples asked the Lord why they could not heal a lunatic boy. Jesus said, “Because of your unbelief … Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Mt. 17:14–21). Faith needs prayer for its development and full growth, and prayer needs fasting for the same reason. Fasting has done wonders when used in combination with prayer and faith. This is a Biblical doctrine.
To fast means to abstain from food—that which caused the fall of man. Fasting humbles the soul before God (Ps. 35:13); chastens the soul (Ps. 69:10); and crucifies the appetites and denies them so as to give the entire time to prayer (2Sam. 12:16–23; Mt. 4:1–11). It manifests earnestness before God to the exclusion of all else (1Cor. 7:5); shows obedience; gives the digestive system a rest (Mt. 6:16–18; 9:15; Lk. 5:33); demonstrates the mastery of man over appetites; aids in victory over temptation; helps to attain power over demons; develops faith; crucifies unbelief; and aids in prayer (Mt. 4:1–11; 17:14–21).
All believers are supposed to fast, but no regulations or set rules are given as to how long or how often. That is determined by individual desire and needs (Mt. 9:14–15; 1Cor. 7:5; Acts 13:1–5). Men should fast when under chastening (2Sam. 12:16–23); under judgment (1Kings 21:27); in need (Ezra 8:21); in danger (Esther 4); when worried (Dan. 6:18); in trouble (Acts 27:9, 33) in spiritual conflict (Mt. 4:1–11); and when desperate in prayer (Acts 9).
Chart: Thirty-five Bible Fasts:
Who Fasted Length
1. Ahab ? (1Ki. 21:27–29)
2. Judah ? (2Chr. 20:1–25)
3. Judah ? (Ezra 8:21–23)
4. Ezra ? (Ezra 10:6–17)
5. Nineveh ? (Jonah 3)
6. Nehemiah ? (Neh. 1:4—Neh. 2:10)
7. Jews ? (Est. 4:1–3; 9:1–3)
8. David ? (Ps. 35:13; 69:10; 109:24)
9. John’s disciples …? (Mt. 9:14–15)
10. Anna ? (Lk. 2:37)
11. Church at Antioch …? (Acts 13:1–5)
12. Paul ? (Acts 27:9–11)
13. Cornelius ? (Acts 10)
14. Many churches ? (Acts 14:23)
15. Paul ? (2Cor. 6:5; 11:27)
16. David 1 day (2Sam. 3:35)
17. Judah 1 day (Neh. 9:1–4)
18. Judah 1 day (Jer. 36:6)
19. Daniel 1 day (Dan. 9:3, 20–27)
20. Pharisee 1 day (Lk. 18:9–14)
21. Israel 1 day (Judg. 20:26–35)
22. Israel 1 day (1Sam. 7:6–14)
23. David 1 day (2Sam. 1:12)
24. Darius 1 night (Dan. 6:18–24)
25. Esther and Mordecai … . 3 days (Est. 4:13—Est. 9:3)
26. Many people 3 days (Mt. 15:32–39)
27. Paul 3 days (Acts 9:9, 17)
28. David 7 days (2Sam. 12:16–23)
29. Israel 7 days (1Sam. 31:13)
30. Paul and 276 men.… 14 days (Acts 27:33–34)
31. Daniel 21 days (Dan. 10:3–13)
32. Moses 40 days (Dt. 9:9—Dt. 10:10)
33. Joshua 40 days (Ex. 24:13–18; 32:15–17)
34. Elijah 40 days (1Ki. 19:7–18)
35. Jesus 40 days (Mt. 4:1–11)
Since fasting and prayer are so prominent in the Bible, modern Christians should do more of this until they receive power with God over all the powers of the devil. Many things about fasting and its benefits are not known to modern men, but those through the ages who have been men of great prayer have also fasted much.
How is fasting used as a spiritual discipline?
BIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 20:1–30
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the LORD for guidance. He also gave orders that everyone throughout Judah should observe a fast. (2 Chronicles 20:3)
Fasting can be part of repentance. When the nation was faced with disaster, Jehoshaphat called upon the people to get serious with God by going without food (fasting) for a designated time. By separating themselves from the daily routine of food preparation and eating, they could devote that extra time to considering their sin and praying to God for help. Hunger pangs would reinforce their feelings of penitence and remind them of their weakness and their dependence upon God. Fasting still can be helpful today as we seek God’s will in special situations.
BIBLE READING: Ezra 8:15–36
KEY BIBLE VERSE: And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. (Ezra 8:21)
Fasting can be part of prayer. Ezra knew God’s promises to protect his people, but he didn’t take them for granted. He also knew that God’s blessings are appropriated through prayer; so Ezra and the people humbled themselves by fasting and praying. And their prayers were answered. Fasting humbled them because going without food was a reminder of their complete dependence on God. Fasting also gave them more time to pray and meditate on God.
Too often we pray glibly and superficially. Serious prayer, by contrast, requires concentration. It puts us in touch with God’s will and can really change us. Without serious prayer, we reduce God to a quick-service pharmacist with painkillers for our every ailment.