First and foremost, salvation is a heart-issue. But Christianity is more than just believing and feeling—it’s also about what we do from day to day. Some religious practices and rituals are commonly recorded in the Bible but seem to be largely ignored today. That’s weird, right? We are currently covering a series on Biblical practices largely neglected in modern life. We will start out with the practice of fasting. As you may be a beginner, we will lay out a nifty how-to guide on Christian fasting.
Why Do we Fast?
All people are spirit, soul, and body. Fasting denies the body, connecting us closer to our spiritual selves and to God. The first reference to fasting appears in Leviticus, as directions are laid out for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This verse instructs the Israelites to afflict, or deny, themselves for one day a year (Leviticus 16:29). While that sounds intense, these words simply mean to fast from not only food, but other daily practices related to the physical body (washing, sexual relations, etc.).
Remember the very first sin? That’s right, the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:6). Is food bad? Of course not! But as one of our primary physical needs, it can be a little distracting. When we eat food, we are connected to our flesh. Preparing food takes time and energy; and eating food is satiating. By turning the attention away from our bodies for a short time, our spiritual senses are refined and enhanced.
During Jesus’ 40-day fast, He quoted that “‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3). Fasting can help us prioritize our needs from the physical to the spiritual.
Why do we fast? In the Bible, people fasted for different reasons:
• Guidance and Direction: Daniel fasted to find answers about the deliverance of Israel and a prophetic revelation (Daniel 10). Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in each church with prayer and fasting (Acts 14:23).
• Miracles and Deliverance: Esther and all the Jews in Susa fasted from food and water for three days and were delivered from genocide (Esther 4:16). Nehemiah prayed and fasted when he heard about the broken wall in Jerusalem and was empowered to lead the rebuild (Nehemiah 1:4).
• Repentance: David fasted when his child with Bathsheba fell ill (2 Samuel 12:16-24). Heeding Jonah’s warning, the people of Nineveh fasted with sackcloth and were spared (Jonah 3:5-7). Even the notoriously evil King Ahab sought repentance with fasting. The Lord specifically pointed out to Elijah that Ahab humbled himself (1 Kings 21:29) and would therefore receive mercy. Imagine how history would have been different if Ahab had continued to humble himself.
How Long Should I Fast?
Jesus and Moses both fasted for 40 days. Interestingly, medical science has found that this is approximately the maximum length of time that a human body can survive without food. Keep in mind, Jesus is God and Moses was with God, so most humans should not try a full fast for this length of time. A beginner should start very slowly and increase the fasting duration according to ability and guidance. Fast lengths for a beginner can include:
- Skip a meal once, or skip breakfast each morning for a few days.
- One full day. For example, the Yom Kippur fast is practiced from sundown to sundown (25 hours).
- Fasting from a particular food group such as meat, sugar, or alcohol for a week or month. Daniel and his friends fasted from meat, fine foods, and wine for three weeks (Daniel 10:2-3).
As you mature in the discipline of fasting, you will be able to take on new challenges and incrementally increase the length of time.
One of the most powerful answers that I have ever received from the Lord came after fasting just one meal. We aren’t convincing the Lord to help us because of our suffering, we are simply posturing ourselves in a more effective state of the heart to communicate with God. Sometimes, we only need one meal for that. Sometimes, we need a little more. But God wants us to be wise and to be healthy stewards of our bodies, so He will not appreciate us taking on a larger fast than what our bodies can handle. Take it slow. “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’” (Matthew 9:13).
What Should I Do While I Fast?
We can fast for worldly reasons such as creating discipline, or we can fast according to the Bible, in order to effectively connect with God in your time of need.
First, it is important that you make sure that the fast is between you and God. Jesus instructed:
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others 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.” (Matthew 6:16-18).
In other words, brush your hair, smile, and go about your day. Go run errands during lunch to avoid announcing to others your intention to fast. One of those errands should be prayer and giving thanks.
Spend the time that you would be preparing food and eating with God. Prayer, reading the Bible, and worship are all good practices and critical to incorporate into your fasting period. I like to bring a journal and actively write my thoughts on Bible passages throughout the day. This is often the time in which answers may come. Remember to listen for God! He has a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), so allow for quiet during your fast practice.
During the fast, take it slow! If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, try sitting down and drinking water. If you continue to feel unwell, it is important that you eat a bit of food or drink some juice. Any medications that you regularly require should be taken during the fast (along with all instructions, including the consumption of food). The point of fasting is to become closer to God—that will not happen if you fall ill or endanger your health!
Do not complete a religious fast for the purposes of weight loss! If weight loss is the main intention or desire, you must leave the religious aspect out for this session. God only desires our full heart (“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13). You will nullify the benefits if you are attempting to complete the fast for other purposes. This is about humbling ourselves before Him. If you want to lose weight, He can surely help you, but that will be a different practice than religious fasting.
How to Prepare for a Fast:
When you fast, you want your focus to be on God and prayer, so a little preparation is helpful! What should you do pre-fast to make sure that you are set-up for success?
- Seek medical advice. Especially if you have existing medical concerns, obtain approval of the fast from your primary care provider.
- Eat balanced meals. Focus on protein and complex carbs. We don’t want a blood sugar spike and drop to distract us when the fast begins. Eating smaller meals, a few days before the fast, will also help.
- Hydrate. Start a few days before.
- Cut back on caffeine. A little less each day will help you avoid headaches and lethargy.
- Pray against spiritual warfare. If you have a spiritual goal, the enemy will want to sabotage your experience. Pray for protection and do not be surprised if distractions appear during your fast.
Post-fast, remember to break you fast slowly. We want this to be a good experience, and binging on food after fasting will not feel good! Juices and soups are smart choices that are easy on the stomach.
Who Shouldn’t Fast?
- Children
- Pregnant or nursing women
- Elderly
- Anyone with an illness or chronic medical condition
- Anyone currently suffering from, or who has a history of, eating disorders
Be wise! Discern the current state of your health and what your body is capable of. I once was interested in fasting after a major surgery. So I prayed for guidance. A few minutes later, the verse Nehemiah 8:10 appeared across my computer screen: “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” So clearly, this time in my life was not the right time to fast. A few months of healing and strengthening, and I was ready to venture into the practice of fasting again.
Can I Fast From Things that Aren’t Food?
You can absolutely fast from other things. Some ideas include:
- Social media (a popular choice)
- Television
- Videogames
- A hobby that you enjoy
- The list goes on.
As this is between you and God, He may lead you to the item that He would like you to fast from. Perhaps it is something that takes a lot of time during the day, or something that may have become an idol.
As referenced above, the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is celebrated as a reminder of when God provided the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. As Moses descended Mount Sinai, he caught the people of Israel worshipping a golden calf. He shattered the stone tablets in anger. The people repented, and God provided a second set of tablets (Exodus 32-34). Yom Kippur has five daily habits from which one abstains for 25 hours. The five habits include: eating and drinking, wearing leather, bathing and shaving, anointing oneself with oil, and sexual relations. Some say this is the most important Jewish holiday and the purpose is introspection and repentance. Abstaining from these five practices takes the focus off the physical needs in our life and allows time for looking inwardly and reconnecting with God.
I hope you enjoyed learning this how-to guide to Christian fasting. Keep reading this week as I continue the series researching Biblical practices largely neglected in modern times. Next up, I will be covering the art of keeping the Sabbath.
