Why Fast?
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the Bible. Jesus expected His followers to fast, and He said that God rewards fasting. Fasting, according to the Bible, means to voluntarily reduce or eliminate your intake of food for a specific time and purpose. (Matt 6:16-18)
There are many good reasons, and even health benefits, for fasting. Our call to prayer and fasting is for these reasons:
Fasting gives you more time for prayer. You can use the time you’d normally spend eating as time in prayer for what God wants to do among us. In the Bible, fasting is always connected with prayer. (Acts 13:2-3)
Fasting demonstrates the depth of our desire when praying for something. It shows we are serious enough about your prayer request to pay a personal price. God honours deep desire and praying in faith. (Joel 1:14; 2:12)
Fasting releases God’s supernatural power. It is a tool we can use when there is opposition to God’s will. Satan would like nothing better than to cause division, discouragement, defeat, depression, and doubt among us. United prayer and fasting has always been used by God to deal a decisive blow to the enemy! (Ezra 8:23; Isaiah 58:6)
Often in the Bible, God’s people fasted immediately before a major victory, miracle, or answer to prayer. It prepared them for a blessing!
Moses fasted before he received the Ten Commandments (Ex 34:28)
The Israelites fasted before a miraculous victory (2 Chr 20:2-3)
Daniel fasted in order to receive guidance from God (Dan 9:13; 21-22)
Nehemiah fasted before beginning a major building project (Neh 1:4)
Jesus fasted during His victory over temptation (Luke 4:2)
The first Christians fasted during decision-making times (Acts 13:2-3)
However:
Remember that fasting is not “earning” an answer to prayer. God cannot be blackmailed by our human effort. God wants to answer our prayers and He answers out of grace. Fasting simply prepares us for God’s answer.
Fast only if your health allows it at this time. If you are able only to do a partial fast - do it in faith and God will honour your intentions.
If you have a medical condition and are therefore unable to fast, then perhaps you could choose to forego a hobby or social media for a specified time instead.
How to Fast for One Day
There are two types of fasts commonly practiced by Christians today:
A partial fast. This is described in the book of Daniel. For three weeks, Daniel, who was a prophet during a time when Israel lived in exile, abstained only from “delicacies” like meat and wine (Daniel 10:3).
A complete fast. A complete fast means drinking only water or sometimes juice when fasting for an extended period. Juice fasts will provide you with more energy than water-only fasts and still lead you into the humbling experience of denying your desire for solid, chewable food.
Preparing for the Fast
The normal fast involves abstaining from all forms of food, but not from water, and commonly lasts 24 hours. If you are fasting for the first time, you might begin by missing a meal or two. Over time, you can build up to a full day or more. Decide what time to start your fast, it could, for example, be after your evening meal until the same time the next day.
Begin by refraining from solid food, but drink liquids. Water is the best, since soft drinks are not good for the digestive system, and coffee and tea stimulate the nervous system. Before beginning a fast, it is best to eat lightly and cut back on caffeinated drinks.
Drink plenty of water. (This is always a good idea — whether you’re fasting or not!)
During the Fast
During your fast, set aside specific and significant time to worship and seek God in prayer. Plan ahead so your time can be unhurried and conducive to enjoying the Lord. Begin this time by repenting of any sins the Holy Spirit brings to mind and asking for God’s forgiveness. This is essential to ensure that sin is not hindering your communication with God.
Then plan time to make your requests known to God and to seek His will. Study Scripture passages you have chosen. Don’t rush your time with God. Take time to listen. Keep a notebook and pen nearby to record the ideas, insights, directions and instructions He impresses on your mind. Put aside all distractions, like your mobile phone, you can then more easily hear God.
Ending the Fast
Breaking the fast may require as much discipline as beginning it. During the fast, your stomach contracts and your body’s digestive and elimination systems rest. The longer you fast, the more time the digestive organs need to reactivate before functioning at full speed.
What Do I Do Now?
Fasting emphasises the wholeheartedness of our praying. Isaiah 58 shows that fasting is linked with a life of total commitment to God, so if our life is not right with God we will reap no benefit from fasting. We must each decide before God the type of fast we should enter into as we come humbly to seek his face.
Actions:
Decide what form your fast will take – what you will abstain from
Decide how often you will fast – weekly, fortnightly or monthly
Decide which day of the week and which dates you will fast
Make a note in your diary for each day you are committing to Pray and Fast