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Fasting in the Bible
In the following Bible study, you will learn about different types of fasts, how and when to fast, and Biblical examples to follow.
If you need a spiritual breakthrough in your life, are spiritually dull, can't break free from a particular sin, experiencing relationship difficulties or need direction from the Lord, fasting is highly recommended.
Learn to overcome fasting obstacles and misconceptions, and find the victory you have been desiring in your life and in the lives of those around you!
Before you start:
- Pray: ask the Lord for insight and understanding of His Word.
- Gather the following tools:
- Bible in one or two translations
- Dictionary (Webster's 1828 or Bible Dictionary recommended)
- Pen and notebook to record your thoughts
- Copy of this Bible study (permission is granted to print out for personal use)
- Give yourself one hour periods of study time in a quiet place. Meditate upon what you are studying.
1. Define fasting.
2. Look up the following verses and fill in the chart below:
| Ezra 10:6, 10:10-11 | Matthew 4:1-3 | Daniel 1:8-17 |
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ADDITIONAL NOTES:
FASTS:
Supernatural Fasts:
Group fasts:
Partial fasts:
3. In addition to the verses you have already studied, read Psalm 35:13, Ezra 8:21. What are the benefits of fasting?
4. Can you think of other benefits of fasting?
5. What are the different ways to fast?
6. Why would we fast?
FASTING OBSTACLES
Make a list of reasons why you have had difficulty fasting in the past or failed to fast at all:
FACTORS THAT CAN KEEP CHRISTIANS FROM FASTING
- Ignorance - don't know the facts about fasting
- Selfishness - allow temporal desires to cause us to esteem food higher than doing God's will
- Indifference - don't see the need to fast in our own life or the lives of those around us
- Lack of self-control - one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control. We need to deny ourselves and follow Christ (Mark 8:34-35).
- Wrong priorities - placing the good and pleasant above the spiritual (God's desires)
- False concept of Christianity - involves not being aware of what it really means to be a disciple (disciplined follower) of Jesus. Paul gives us an example in 2 Corinthians 11:27:
"In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness..."
TYPES OF FASTS
COMPLETE FAST:
A normal fast is no food, but beverages are allowed (caffeine is to be avoided). Unless supernaturally sustained, you should not do a complete fast for more than 3 days and nights.
Before starting a longer fast (3 days or more):
- Divine direction - don't copy others; be sure you are led of the Lord as to what type of fast and how long.
- No caffeine - discontinue a few days BEFORE the fast
- Eat less the day before a fast to help your body adjust
- eat fruit as a last meal before the fast
- Temptations - know that the evil one will try to discourage and distract you during your fast. Be sure to trust God, not your feelings during this time.
During the fast:
- Dress warmly - you can expect to feel colder during a fast, especially in your hands and feet
- Use warm, not hot, water for showers and baths
- Avoid ice cold beverages
- Exercise regularly, but moderately - if you experience weakness, discontinue
- Fast in secret - don't tell others you are fasting; it is between you and the Lord. You can talk about the benefits or reasons why you fast, but do not give details about a particular fast.
After the fast:
- avoid starches for a few days
- chew your food well
- stop eating when you feel full
- don't become physically active too soon
- eat healthy food
Here is a suggested schedule for reintroducing food after a complete fast:
- DAY 1: liquids every couple of hours in small amounts; fruit juices are great
- DAY 2: eat small quantities of fruit, milk and yogurt in small quantities
- DAYS 2 and 3: (the longer you fast, the more time you should allow before introducing these foods)
- In small quantities: salads, homemade vegetable soup without grease, cooked vegetables
- After a few days: cheese, nuts, eggs
- Lastly: fish and meats
DO NOT UNDERTAKE A COMPLETE FAST IF YOU ARE:
- a diabetic
- malnourished
- pregnant or nursing
PARTIAL FAST:
A partial fast eliminates certain foods, drinks or non-food pleasures. The Lord may lead you to do a partial fast eating and/or drinking certain foods and avoiding others. For example:
- drinking fruit juices
- eating bland foods (foods which are nutritional and yet are not especially pleasant to the taste)
- eliminating meats
- eliminating sweets
- eating only fruit, nuts and vegetables
- abstaining from non-food items like a favorite TV show, or eliminating TV altogether
References
fasting - a voluntary abstinence from food (Vines), a common practice among Jews, and was continued among Christians; the Hebrew word tsoom means "to cover over" as pertaining to the mouth. Websters 1828 defines it "to abstain from food, beyond the usual time; to omit to take the usual meals, for a time; as, to fast a day or a week; to abstain from food voluntarily, for the mortification of the body or appetities, or as a token of grief, sorrow and affliction; to abstain from food partially, or from particular kinds of food; as, the Catholics fast in Lent."
Much of the information contained in this study was found in:
Edwards, Bob. Spirit-Led Evangelism
Wallis, Arthur. God's Chosen Fast.
Additional links:
