What is Fasting?

[_bluerose_]

A certain situation about fasting has left me distraught. I love our God soo much, anything to do with Him is highly important to me. Last night God woke me at 2:30am! My mind was put on this idea of fasting, so I studied it in the Bible and found out several things:

Leviticus 13:29,31 says that we need to "deny" ourselves. But this is also the meaning of fasting. It's denying yourself, in order to get closer to God. Fast really means abstinence, abstaining or denying yourself of something.
This is continued in Lev. 23:27,32 but of course, just like everything else, people take this meaning the wrong way and get ritualistic with it. God was feed up and told people in Isaiah 58:3-10 that just humbling yourself isn't enough, that's not what He originally meant. We see in Isa. 58:6-10 that God specifically says that by denying yourself, yes you humble, but you look with a godly heart. Your heart has to be into it, you fast not just to say you did but you have to help others... denying yourself is looking outside of your own wants and desires.

I found many passages where people of biblical times did fast. Fasting isn't just for 1 reason. There are many reasons people fast.

*2Chron. 20:13 shows you can fast to hear from God, to be guided in a decision.
*1Sam 7:6 shows you can fast for purification.
*2Sam 12:16-22 shows you can fast for forgiveness and mercy
*Ezra 8:21-23 shows you can fast for protection and answers to prayer
*Nehemiah 1:4 shows you can fast for mourning/commemoration (like 9/11)
*Esther 4:15,16 shows you can fast for favor, guidance, wisdom (like fasting for a new job)
*Jeremiah 36:1-9 shows you can fast for interceding removal of sin
*Daniel 9:1-19 shows you can fast to turn God's wrath away

There are some more, but I thought these relevant to reasons we may fast. In all of these situations, when someone was fasting for something, it was humbling themselves under God's mighty power, in order to help someone else! Not one of these situations was totally about self, they all had an element of someone else being involved, if it was all of Israel or a child. Just as God said in Isaiah, fast trying to help others, forgetting about self.

Jesus spoke on fasting also. He began His ministry with fasting. Matthew 4:2 says that He fasted for forty days. Perhaps for commitment, perhaps for guidance in choosing His disciples. In Matthew 6:16 Jesus goes back to this topic. He first gives us a description of prayer, then he tells us about fasting (again reinforcing that fasting should be from the heart and of a servant attitude!). Jesus does say "When" you fast. He does NOT say if you fast. Pointing out that fasting is a part of the Christian lifestyle and at some point in your life, you should fast....and when you do, follow His sayings in Matthew.

Twice Jesus connects fasting and prayer together. The second time is in Matthew 17:21. Jesus had just cast out a demon that His disciples were trying to do, but for them it didn't work. They asked Him why and He responds that "this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting". prayer and fasting, they are linked together. In each of the above situations, the individuals prayed, they sought to hear from God and to talk to Him. Jesus is saying here that for certain breakthroughs ...certain kinds of evil, kinds of demons, that prayer will not work alone for us. We have to completely deny the world and seek God. Jesus says except by prayer AND fasting.

Jesus and many others in the Bible make it evident that fasting is important and significant. That some things we have to fast for the breakthrough to arrive. God doesn't say we have to do it daily, or weekly...but Jesus says "When" meaning that some point in our lives we will come to doing it. So we should truly understand what it is.

I know this is long, but I hope you took the time to read it. Because if you are fasting, you should understand it. and when you do fast, you should know what it's about, not just ritual, but from your heart, leave yourself behind and seek to do as God does in giving up yourself to be God's servant.

In Jesus our Lord, your sister,
~Rose

[Rashiir]

Wow. A lot of stuff in there I did not know.

[Michael]

I believe fasting is denying pleasures, habits, et cetera and taking that time to be with God. That's not all there is to it, but that's what it means to me.

Paul also used it to bring his body into submission.

[_bluerose_]

Exactly Michael. And I'm glad there was something new to learn Rashiir. God bless!

[Towi Wakka]

This is a very interesting topic. Fasting is giving up something for God, but what is it worth if its not from the heart. I think that is just one of the things that makes God smile.

[Bobtheduck]

wow, great stuff Bluerose

[Fsiphskilm]

not many people know what fasting is.

[Mithrandir]

There are some good points here! I'd add one, however. Simply denying yourselft something is something anyone can do. Take dieting, for example. Pleanty of people deny themselves something, and yet there is no bond built between them and God during this fast. What makes it different is the point of the fast. One way to emphasise this is fairly simple. When you fast, if your body craves food (ie: You think, "I'm hungry") instead of getting food, pray. Train youself such that during your fast you let your natural desires become focal points to God.

Whew. I think that's enough for now. (At least from me). Where's the good revdoc when you need him?!?)

[Mimichan]

Thank you for the information on fasting The Biblical references are very helpful as well. I found a paper on the topic. It was something that my church gave me when I first joined. According to it the purpose of fasting is:
1. To shut off the influence of our Flesh in order that we be in tune with the Holy Spirit.
2. It is NOT to imprss God or influence Him into acting on your behalf.
3. It helps us to receive from God, but does not push God into action.

The proper way to fast: Decide the purpose of the fast before you begin. Ie, Fellowship with God, intercession for a loved one,etc., Proclaim the fast before the Lord, Believe before the fast begins that you will recieve your reward (Matt. 6:18), minister to the Lord during the fast, minister to others before and after the fast, and expect assistance from angels (Matt 4:11)...

This is what I have been taught on the subject. Don't know if it's the standard or if it varies by denomination. I for one am new to fasting..only having started within the last year. Information like you've given really helps..of course, it's hard to remember it all during the process sometimes when the old, fleshy whiney crybaby 'ME' starts to get in the way But anyhoo, that's just me.