I’ve assembled this document as a resource for learning more about fasting in the Bible and for assistance in helping those who choose to participate in the 50 Days of Prayer and Fasting make a decision on how they will fast.  In preparation of this document there were many different directions I considered taking it but have settled on using this as a “map” of sorts.  I have done a lot of study on fasting in the previous month and rather than write a rather exhaustive document of all the fruit of that study, I’m choosing to only highlight significant points and refer you to my sources so if you choose you can read the various articles and resources on your own.  Many of the resources I refer to are found on the internet.  If you do not have access to the internet I do have printed copies that I can make available to those who request them. Hopefully the information I include here will help.One thing I want to make clear in the beginning is that when it comes to fasting - there is no “rule” or “regulation” that directs the only acceptable way to fast in the Bible.  While Jesus does acknowledge that it is assumed His followers will fast - he focuses more on what isn’t acceptable than what is.   The important thing when it comes to fasting is that it is entered into willingly and for the purpose of focusing the mind and body in spiritual communication with God.  You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast (biblically speaking) without praying!

With that said, hopefully this document (and the resources it refers to) will encourage you to choose to fast in some way or fashion during the 50 Days of Prayer and Fasting.

RESOURCES

Biblical References to Fasting:  There are over 54 references to fasting in the Old Testament and over 30 references in the New Testament.  You can find many of these references by using a concordance (an index of words in the Bible) or by looking up “fast, fasting” by using Bible Software.  I came across an excellent listing of these references at the following website however that proved to be very useful:

Old Testament references on fasting:  http://www.thebiblestudypage/otf.shtml

New Testament references on fasting: http://www.thebiblestudypage/ntf.shtml

Articles on Fasting:

The wealth and immensity of writing that has been done on fasting is absolutely mind-boggling.  Fasting is one of those disciplines that is not confined to the Bible alone but has its adherents in nearly every major religion and is also documented in health literature.  However,  while I did read many of the various religious and health conscious perspectives on fasting I want to refer you to some excellent articles I found on the biblical perspective of fasting as that is the approach God has called us to.  In the remainder of this document I’ll be summarizing some of the points about fasting I’ve learned both in my own study of the Bible and observations I learned from these articles.  You can take this list therefore as both a resource and a source for the information I’ll be providing in the rest of this document.

What does the Bible say about…Fasting? - http://www.bible.com/bibleanswers_result.php?id=179

Is Fasting a Christian Duty? by W. Frank Walton - http://iwhome.com/spiritualquest/articles/hpblfast.htm

In this article, Frank’s main point is that fasting is not a divine revelation, but is a cultural expression of an underlying principle (like foot washing and the holy kiss).  The value of his article is that I believe he correctly observes that scriptures do not teach fasting as a binding obligation upon believers.  However, the overall tone of this article lends to the idea that not only is fasting not required but also it’s not necessary.  It is on that last point that I disagree.  I believe that the Bible does indicate it is necessary in much the same way that prayer is not required of the believer but is nevertheless necessary if any spiritual growth is to take place!

Going Faster in the Christian Life - Biblical Fasting - What it is and How to do it. by Dennis Rupert - http://www.new-life.net/fasting.htm

This is a more exhaustive article on fasting that does a good job at explaining what it’s all about.

SUMMARYThe following is a summary of my research on fasting.

What Biblical Fasting is Not

1. Physical or Psychological Discipline - it is not for purely physical discipline or for physical benefit.  Although there are other documented helpful byproducts to fasting the purpose of fasting isn’t so we feel good or look good but instead for spiritual reasons.

2. A Manipulative Tool - Some view fasting as a means to twist God’s arm or win His approval.  This is not scriptural.

3. A Hypocritical Religious Exercise - When Jesus walked the earth, fasting had become a very important part of the Jewish life. So important that it became a way of demonstrating spiritual superiority - a way of saying “look-at-how-spiritual-I-am”.  Jesus spoke very much against this approach to fasting in Matthew 6:16-19.

What Biblical Fasting IS

• Fasting is “not-eating”
• Fasting is “afflicting one’s soul” (Leviticus 16:29)

This is the idea of denying one’s self.  It is denying not only my body, but also my own wants.  Fasting is a way of saying that food and my desires are secondary to something else.

• Biblical Fasting is “not eating” (or denying one’s self) with spiritual communication in mind.

As I’ve already stated, Biblical fasting always occurs together with prayer in the Bible.  Biblical fasting is deliberately abstaining from food for a spiritual reason: communication and relationship with the Father.

Some Biblical Principles on Fasting

1. Fasting is assumed by the New Testament  (see Matthew 6:16; Matthew 9:14-15)
2. The Occasion for a Fast is Voluntary - A particular day for fasting was commanded in Scripture only once - on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).  The fast on the Day of Atonement was connected with a deep mournful spirit in confessing sin.  Now in the New Covenant, Jesus Christ has become our atonement offering, so we no longer even need to observe the Leviticus 16 Day of Atonement!  In all the rest of the Bible there are no other Scriptures which command fasting at a specific time or on a specific occasion!  None!
3. The Length of a Fast is Voluntary - There are a wide variety of fasts of different duration in scriptures.
4. How You Spend Your Time While Fasting is a Personal Decision. - In the Bible, fasting often occurs as something you do while carrying on your everyday activities!  There is a certain sense in which fasting, even in the midst of your daily activities, becomes a constant prayer to the Lord.  And in the actual experience of fasting, a periodic pang of hunger can become a good reminder to send up a short prayer for the particular thing about which you are fasting!
5. Fasting does not negate our responsibility to be obedient to God.  (see Isaiah 58:3b-4).  If there is unconfessed sin in our lives we cannot fast and pray expecting God to bless.  Fasting does not impress God with our spirituality to the point that he ignores our disobedience.  Actually, genuine fasting will always cause us to examine our hearts to make sure everything is right with Him.

Types of Fasting

The Bible gives examples of many different kinds of fasting.  The terms used to describe these are not Biblical terms but are simply used as a way of grouping the different fasts we see in the Bible.

1. Food and Water Fast: No food or water.  (eg. Moses for 40 days on Sinai [Ex. 34:28]; Saul who became Paul fasted for three days after his conversion [Acts 9:9])
   This is sometimes known as the absolute fast, or exceptional fast.  The body can go for a number of days without food, but cannot go for long periods without water. Therefore the Bible does not record any absolute fasts that go beyond three days, except the account of Moses spending forty days and nights on top of Mount Sinai (Horeb) without food or water.  His was an exceptional fast and He was sustained by the literal presence of the Lord.
   Unless the Lord clearly directs, and it is undertaken with medical supervision, this type of fast is discouraged due to the scarcity and directed nature of biblical example.

2. Food only Fast:  Abstaining from food but not from water (or other liquid).  (eg. Jesus for 40 days in the desert [Mt. 4:1-4])
3. Partial Fast:  Emphasis is placed on restriction of diet, rather than abstaining completely from eating.  (eg. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego eating only vegetables and drinking only water [Daniel 1:15]; Daniel practicing a limited diet for three weeks [Daniel 10:3]).

A few words about duration of fasts:  There are very few examples in scripture of extended fasts that last for long periods of time.  The majority of examples (especially of the food and water, or food only fasts) are for shorter durations.  Therefore, the absolute fast of extended durations should only be attempted when there is clear direction from the Holy Spirit and under close medical supervision.

The bulk of scripture related to fasting suggests that there are no set standards for what constitutes a valid “fast”.  Fasting can be done for one meal, one day, one month or for however long God leads.  It depends on how the Holy Spirit leads. With that in mind, here are some suggested ideas for fasting during the 50 Days of Prayer and Fasting:

Suggested Types and Durations of Fasts for 50 Days of Prayer and Fasting

This is by no means meant to be a “choose from here” kind of list but instead is intended as some suggestions of possible ways in which you could fast during this time period.  The important thing is to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for what you should fast and do accordingly.

1. Fast a meal:  Pick a meal that you will fast every day for the 50 Days.
2. Fast from 6:00am to 6:00pm [roughly sunrise to sundown] each day of the 50 days (or for a period during this time).  During this fast you could drink liquids.  A note of caution:  If you choose this fast do not “gorge” on food in between fasts as this defeats the purpose of the fast and can really mess up your body’s metabolism.  It is suggested that if you choose this fast that you eat lightly in between fasts.  (Again, if you decide to go the entire 50 days doing this you should be monitored by your Doctor).
3. Fast an activity:  Since the principle of fasting is the denial of self to aid in focused prayer, to deny another pleasurable or favorite activity can be a good substitute for food (especially if you are diabetic).  What about fasting TV for the entire 50 days?  Parents, this is a good way to include your children in the 50 Days of Prayer and Fasting - what about challenging your children (or yourself as adults too!) to go without video games for the entire 50 Days?

“Restrict your Diet” Fast:  Instead of going without food, why not try to cut out meats from your diet,  or stick to soups and broths?  Again, if you do this for the entire 50 days then you should consult with your Doctor.