DEFINITION:
This is a spiritual discipline that God desires His children to have. Those who fast deny their physical needs (such as eating and drinking) in order to focus on spiritual needs and seeking God. Fasting serves as a powerful means of subduing physical desires to intensify our focus on prayer and seeking God’s presence.
PURPOSE:
- Develop an intimate relationship with God (Luke 2:37).
- Seek God’s will (Ezra 8:21-23; Acts 13:2-3).
- Demonstrate a repentant and contrite heart for restoration (Nehemiah 1:4-6; Joel 2:12-13).
- Ask God to save us from difficulty (Jonah 3:5-10; Esther 4:16).
- Request power to perform miracles (Mark 9:28-29).
FORMS OF PRAYER AND FASTING
- Water fast: No eating, but water is allowed. Practiced during significant spiritual periods.
- Liquid fast: No solid foods, but liquids such as juice, milk, and nutritional drinks are allowed. This form of fasting may be more suitable for those new to fasting or with specific health requirements.
- Dry fast: No eating or drinking. This is for very rare and urgent situations. Biblical examples include Moses (Exodus 34:28), Esther and the people of Judah (Esther 4:16), the people of Nineveh (Jonah 3:7), and Paul (Acts 9:9).
DURATION OF PRAYER AND FASTING:
- Common cases: From 1 to 3 days. This duration is suitable for individuals or churches holding a fast. Regular periods for fasting and prayer each week or month can help instill discipline and manage physical desires.
- Special cases: From 7 to 40 days, or even longer. For extended fasts, it is important to be guided by God and be sure that the fasting is conducted rightly and in truth.
Prayer and fasting are vital spiritual disciplines that help develop our relationship with God and strengthen our faith. They align our desires with God’s will and establish personal discipline, making us more attuned to our spiritual needs.
This is an excerpt from the 100 Characters in the Bible book - Part 2 for small groups
Learn more:
