Definition of Prayer & Fasting
Prayer and fasting are defined as voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God. Prayer and fasting often go hand in hand. Having a dedicated time of prayer and fasting is not a way of manipulating God into doing what we desire. Rather, it is simply forcing you to focus and rely on God for the strength, provision, and wisdom we need.
What the Bible Says
- Biblical fasting is going without food. The noun translated "fast" or "a fasting" is “tsom” in the Hebrew and “nesteia” in the Greek. It means the voluntary abstinence from food. The Hebrew translation would be "not to eat."
- Moses fasted during the 40 days and 40 nights he was on Mount Sinai receiving the law from God (Exodus 34:28). King Jehoshaphat called for a fast in all Israel when they were about to be attacked by the Moabites and Ammonites (2 Chronicles 20:3). The men of Nineveh fasted and put on sackcloth (Jonah 3:5). Prayer and fasting were often done in times of distress or trouble. David fasted when he learned that Saul and Jonathan had been killed (2 Samuel 1:12). Nehemiah had a time of prayer and fasting upon learning that Jerusalem was still in ruins (Nehemiah 1:4). Darius, the king of Persia, fasted all night after he was forced to put Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6:18).
- Prayer and fasting in the New Testament; Anna "worshipped night and day, fasting and praying" at the Temple (Luke 2:37). John the Baptist taught his disciples to fast (Mark 2:18). Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights before His temptation by Satan (Matthew 4:2). The church of Antioch fasted (Acts 13:2) and sent Paul and Barnabas off on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:3).
Required or Recommended?
The Word of God does not specifically command believers to spend time in prayer and fasting. At the same time, prayer and fasting is definitely something we should be doing. Far too often, though, the focus of prayer and fasting is on abstaining from food. Instead, the purpose of Christian fasting should be to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus our thoughts on God. Fasting is not a method of punishing our bodies and it is not used as a "dieting method" either. We are not to spend time in prayer and fasting in order to lose weight, but rather to gain a deeper relationship with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world through prayer and biblical fasting, we can focus better on Christ. Matthew 6:16-18
What Does it Accomplish?
- Spending time in prayer and fasting is not automatically effective in accomplishing the desires of those who fast. Fasting or no fasting, God only promises to answer our prayers when we ask according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). In the prophet Isaiah's time, the people grumbled that they had fasted, yet God did not answer in the way they wanted (Isaiah 58:3-4). Isaiah responded by proclaiming that the external show of fasting and prayer, without the proper heart attitude, was useless (Isaiah 58:5-9).
- How can you know if you are praying and fasting according to God's will? Are you praying and fasting for things that honor and glorify God? Does the Bible clearly reveal that it is God's will for you? If we are asking for something that is not honoring to God or not God's will for our lives, God will not give what we ask for, whether we fast or not. How can we know God's will? God promises to give us wisdom when we ask. (James 1:5)
Why Should I Fast?
- Are you in need of healing or a miracle?
- Do you need the tender touch of God in your life?
- Is there a dream inside of you that only He can make possible?
- Are you in need of a fresh encounter?
- Do you desire a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?
- Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?
- Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation or Restoration?
- Do you desire to know God's will for your life?
Types of Fast
- Full Fast: Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days).
- The Daniel Fast: Eat no meats, no sweets and no white bread or white rice. No Coffee or soda, No dairy products, Drink water and juice. Eat fruits and vegetables.
- 3-Day Fast: This fast can be a Full Fast
- Partial Fast: Example; A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sunrise to sundown. Giving up of something.
- Corporate Fasting: 1 Samuel 7:5-6; Ezra 8:21-23; Nehemiah 9:1-3; Joel 2:15-16; Jonah 3:5-10; Acts 27:33-37