The Spiritual Discipline of Fasting

Jesus fasted. He expected his disciples would fast (Matthew 6:16-18).

16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Today fasting is looked by many in the church as legalism and nothing more. So why fast. Simply put, to draw closer to God. When we fast we are voluntarily abstaining from one thing i.e. food, sleep, t.v. computing; to draw closer to another; which is God. Notice the voluntary part of that sentence. I would even go so far as to say called into the fast. Many times I have felt a strong urge to fast for a particular reason or person.

Fasting exposes our inner being. When you begin to abstain from something that may have control over you you will see the real you appear. You may see a side of yourself you did not know existed. The first time I fasted from diet coke I actually had withdrawal tremors and became hateful with my wife and kids. Be prepared.

*Warning*Get informed before you fast from anything and be sure you are not doing it because you fell it is a must to gain favor with God.

The first type of fast is a partial fast. this is the type Daniel talks about that he and the other three Jewish boys performed in Daniel 1. You can do this by eating smaller portions or picking a food you will not eat.

Next is the normal fast. This is what you think of when you think of a fast. You abstain from everything but water. The duration can be from one meal to 40 days. Before you do a fast of this type please remember to consult your physician. We take our kids at church through a thirty hour famine each year. During this time we do drink fruit juice but I consider it a normal fast not a partial.

There is also mention of an absolute fast in the book of Ezra. Unless you are called by God this should not be attempted.