Types Of Fasting Mentioned In The Bible
The Bible mentions and gives us examples of total fasting, water fasting, partial fasting, and fasting from other things. All kinds of fasting should be done with the desire to draw closer to God, to hear his voice, and to grow in our walk with him. That should be our motivation in fasting.
Fasting is voluntary. We choose to ignore for a time the need to eat, drink, or anything else to focus on feeding our spirit and seeking the presence of God in a special way. find the type of fast mentioned in the bible below.
What Happens During The Time We Normally Eat
Spend the time you would normally spend eating meals, on social media, or whatever it may be that youre fasting from with the Lord. Keep a journal of the things the Lord has been speaking to you and showing you, and set aside specific and significant time to worship, pray, and seek Him. Fasting opens up extra time to spend with the Lord, so choose to use this extra time to do just that rather than replacing it with something else that may distract you from Him.
Fasting For Our Enemies
This one is a hard one for many people to comprehend. But maybe the purpose of this fast is as much for you as it is for your enemy. After all, you do not want to hard heart or resentment to be festering inside your soul. Maybe through this type of a fast God helps you release those ungodly emotions towards the other person.
Anyway, as you can see in Psalm 35:13, we should fast and pray for our enemies. It doesn’t say how long or what to abstain from.
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Which Of The Different Types Of Biblical Fasting
Weve looked at several different types of Biblical fasting today. Id love to know if youve tried fasting. What types of things drive you to prayer while fasting?
It took years to hone in on the Spiritual discipline of fasting, but I can honestly say it was the answer to overcoming that dryness. It has been years since Ive walked through that spiritual desert because now I know how to draw nearer to God for a time of refreshing.
The Bible repeatedly tells us to draw near to God, to seek God with all your heart, to humble yourself before God. Fasting is a way to draw near, seek and humble yourself before God to receive the breakthrough you are longing for.
Maybe you felt the stir but you are still unsure of the specific how-tos of fasting. No worries. Ive written a short book to help guide you through the process of fasting.
A Beginners Guide to Fast and Pray: Taking Spiritual Warfare to the Next Level. Get your copy and start your journey to spiritual breakthrough today!
in HIM,
Tiffany
Tiffany Montgomery
Fast From Something Other Than Food
Fasting from food is not necessarily for everyone. Some health conditions keep even the most devout from the traditional course. However, fasting is not limited to abstaining from food. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, Fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose.
If the better part of wisdom for you, in your health condition, is not to go without food, consider fasting from television, computer, social media, or some other regular enjoyment that would bend your heart toward greater enjoyment of Jesus. Paul even talks about married couples fasting from sex for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer .
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How To Start Fasting
Fasting is hard. It sounds much easier in concept than it proves to be in practice. It can be surprising how on-edge we feel when we miss a meal. Many an idealistic new fast-er has decided to miss a meal and only found our belly drove us to make up for it long before the next mealtime came.
Fasting sounds so simple, and yet the world, our flesh, and the devil conspire to introduce all sorts of complications that keep it from happening. In view of helping you start down the slow path to good fasting, here are six simple pieces of advice. These suggestions might seem pedantic, but the hope is that such basic counsel can serve those who are new at fasting or have never seriously tried it.
The Method Of Fasting You Want To Pursue
Fasting doesnt necessarily involve a complete cessation of eating it can be done by cutting down the number of calories you ingest for a certain period of time as well. For many people, however, the time and focus saved on preparing and eating food work well to change their focus to the issue at hand. Still, if you try a complete fast and find that youre distracted by the lack of food, consider simply cutting your caloric intake back drastically and eat small amounts of food during your fast. Experts recommend 500 calories per day for women, and 600 calories per day for men.
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What Do I Do If Im Served A Meal That Goes Against My Fast
When you are fasting, its important to plan and prepare beforehand. If you know youre meeting with someone, plan to not have is based around a meal. If youre in a situation where youre served a meal that goes against your fast, politely decline with as little explanation as possible. If they insist you eat, share with them that you are on a fast. But the goal is to keep as little attention drawn to yourself and your fast as possible.
How Do We Apply These Fasts In The Bible To Our Lives Today
As the Bible says: Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 1 Corinthians 10:11 ESV. They are examples, instructions, to strengthen us, encourage us and empower our walk with God. Not just for our comfort, but so that we might be strong in the Lord, in the power of His might and be able to be that Light in the dark, dark world we find ourselves living in.
Fasting with a right spirit, for the right reasons, truly does get Gods attention. We dont do it to be seen or heard or to make ourselves something we are not. It is all about Jesus, and when the glory goes to Him, we will see the miraculous and be a part of a great and necessary awakening in these last and glorious days until we see the coming of the Lord.
Which types of fasting in the Bible has impacted you the most? Did you learn about a new one in this article?
*Related:Get a free copy of our Daniel Fast meal plan when you join our email list.
This post about the types of Biblical fasting was compiled by our guest contributor, Nannette Elkins, who has served as a pastors wife, missionary, speaker, and teacher. She also authored The Daniel Fast Devotional: A 21 Day Journey of Faith, available on Amazon.
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What Is Partial Fasting In The Bible
Partial FastingA Partial Fasting is when you refrain from eating sun up to sundown. You can also do this from a certain time of day, for example, from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Before fasting, you need to decide what time you will not be eating. After sun-down or whatever time you have decided to end fasting, you may eat.
This fast is one of the more flexible types of fasting. You can decide what fast you would pair with your partial fast: a complete fast or Daniel fast. With a complete fast, you would not eat solid foods. Daniel fast consists of eating fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Or you may decide for your first time to simply cut out one food group during your fasting hours. Whatever you decide, remember the point is to deny your body what it longs for.
We fast because we have tasted and seen the goodness of God and are desperately hungry for for more of Him.
David Mathis
Daniel FastingThe Daniel Fast is taken from when Daniel fasted in the Bible.
At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food no meat or wine touched my lips and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
Daniel 10:2-3These three weeks the passage is referring to is in observance of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. This took place during the first month of the year. Daniel did not eat any meat or wine for three weeks.
What you can eat:
Now, therefore, says the Lord, Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning
Biblical Fasting: Why When How And How Not To Fast
The concept of fasting is pervasive in the Bible. The practice of fasting, for multiple reasons, was well known to people in the ancient worldfrom prophets and priests to princes and paupers. A discipline intentionally engaged in by millions of people throughout the centuries, it is still practiced today.
The practice of refraining from eating or drastically reducing our food intake for a certain amount of time can focus our thoughts and sharpen our responses to certain situations. When we break from our regular routines of eating at certain times of the day, we allow our bodies to assist our minds in understanding that, for a time, we are going to be denying ourselves one thing in the interest of pursuing or considering another, typically higher, question or goal.
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Fasting As A Worldview
Finally, lets explore the prophet Isaiahs words regarding the practice of fasting, of pursuing answers from God or showing ones remorse over a certain life situation. In this, Isaiah clarifies what God wants to see in our lives when we fastnamely, a sincere devotion to himself and others without self-imposed blinders for the situations around us.
Individuals who fast to seek answers to their questions cant ignore the other dictates of the Bible or the situations around them where they are called to become the hands and feet of God in their circle of influence. In short, fasting is futile if were asking questions for which the answers lie outside the will of God.
In the following passages, Isaiah calls out the people for their refusal to act in ways that would truly reflect their personal devotion to God and his purposes in the world :
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:to loose the chains of injusticeand untie the cords of the yoke,to set the oppressed freeand break every yoke?Is it not to share your food with the hungryand to provide the poor wanderer with shelterwhen you see the naked, to clothe them,and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?Isaiah 58:67
But the chastising we read in Isaiah 58 does not come without hope and a promisea promise that was as true for its initial hearers as it is for us today.
Preparing For The Fast
The normal fast involves abstaining from all forms of food, but not from water, and commonly lasts 24 hours, from sunrise to sunrise. 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.
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. During the first few days of a multi-day fast, it is common to experience headaches as the body withdraws from caffeine.
If you are planning for an extended fast , you should prepare mentally and physically by cutting down on food intake one week before the actual fast, taking on a vegetarian diet to control cravings for food. Reduce your intake of beverages like coffee, tea and soft drinks as well.
Drink plenty of water.
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Powerful Prayer During Biblical Fasting
Dear Father,
You are righteous, compassionate, merciful and loving and all glory and honor are Yours. You are the source of all wisdom and knowledge and bring light into darkness. You have created us to be curious and to seek wisdom and understanding.
We praise you and thank you for hearing our prayers and for Your Son, in whom all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. We thank you for giving us Your Word to guide us.
Father, please guide me to seek Your wisdom each day. Lord, help us to be obedient to you and your ways. Help us to seek your face each day, in all we do.
Jehovah, keep us free from temptation and evil. Help us to turn to you as our stronghold and refuge. Thank you, Lord, for the temptations that we face as they reveal to us our dependence on you.
I am a sinner, Father and I ask forgiveness for my sins. Although I deserve punishment, you are merciful and forgive my fleshly transgressions. I am so sorry for my weakness and rejoice in your mercy.
God, I desire to relentlessly pursue You. Please walk with me and stir in me a passion for you that is unbending.
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What Are Things To Be Cautious Of During My Fast
Be cautious of your motives. Your intention behind fasting should not be to make you holier or more righteous, as you are already made a holy and righteous child of God. You also shouldnt fast to be seen by others, to be commended, or justified by God.
Fasting and prayer, when done in the right way, with godly motives and total abandonment to Gods will, predisposes us to Gods revelation, inclines us to Gods will, cleanses and purges our hearts of idols in all their forms, sets us free from the world and its slavish dominion.
William F. Kumuyi
If youre fasting food, be cautious with what your body is telling you. If youre experiencing an excessive amount of fatigue, dizziness, headaches, etc., consult your doctor because you may need to break your fast.
Its also important to be cautious of spiritual warfare, and keep in mind that during fasts, spiritual warfare is very present and very active. Pray for discernment during your fast.
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Types Lengths & Purposes Of Fasts Found In The Bible
1. A 1-day fast . Judges 20:26, to seek direction from the Lord.
2. A 3-day fast without food or drink. Esther 4:16, for wisdom, discernment, protection, and guidance. In Acts 9:9 Saul was converted but for 3 days he went without food and water.
*So far I’ve found that these 3-day fasts are the last complete fasts mentioned. The rest of the fasts either do not specify or say food only was fasted.
3. A 7-day fast. 1 Samuel 31:13. For wisdom, seeking comfort from grief, and guidance.
4. A 10-day fast of vegetables and water only. Daniel 1:12, Daniel was fasting for favor, strength, wisdom, and discernment.
5. A 14-day fast. Acts 27:33-34. Paul and the men on the ship fasted food for protection and wisdom.
6. A 21-day fast. Daniel 10:3, for times of distress and mourning. No meat, wine, rich or pleasant food, and no oils. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, and water instead. In modern times, this is a popular fast .
7. A 40-day fast. I can only find three 40-day fasts in the Bible. Each person was divinely appointed and touched by God for this type of fast.
The Time You Have To Focus
Fasting requires intense focus on the reasons for your fast and on listening to God during this period of time. Youll want to clear your calendar of extraneous activities so you can calm your heart and mind as you seek Gods face. Ideally, setting aside specific time in your calendar to focus on prayer and study during your period of fasting will help. Spending an overnight in a location where you can get away from city lights and noise or the distractions of family obligations can increase the effectiveness of the fast.
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Jentezen Franklin: 3 Different Types Of Fasts In Scripture
by Jentezen Franklin | Nov 11, 2020 | Health & Healing
There are three different types of fasts recorded in Scripture: the absolute fast, the normal fast and the partial fast. An absolute fast is extreme and should be done only for very short periods of time. On an absolute fast, you take in nothingno food, no water. Depending on your health, this type of fast should be attempted only with medical consultation and supervision.
On a normal fast, you typically go without food of any kind for a certain number of days. You do drink water, and plenty of it! Depending on the length of the normal fast, you may also choose to take clear broth and juices in order to maintain your strength.
And then there is the partial fast. A partial fast can be interpreted many ways. The way it cannot be interpreted is to include the time between about 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.when youre sleeping! A partial fast usually involves giving up particular foods and drink for an extended period of time.
The duration of fasts can vary. We find significant numbers in the Bible, including three days, seven days, 21 days and 40 days. But there are also references to half-day fasts and 24-hour fasts.
As a teenager, I would fast all day on Sunday until after church. It made me so much more sensitive to the Lord. I would be so spiritually tuned in that it didnt matter if anyone else got a blessing that day or notI sure did!
Excerpted from Jentezen Franklins book Fasting .
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