Do: 

Spend time in Praise and Worship “I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:6).

Read the Bible (on your knees). Confess God’s Word. Meditate on God’s Word. Memorize scripture (Try to memorize a chapter, a whole book, or thirty scriptures on a specific subject). “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).

Pray. Speak in tongues.“… pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18).

Engage in Spiritual Warfare “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

Repent of your sins. Repentance is the cornerstone of a fast. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you make a list of all your sins and confess them to God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Make a list of everything you are thankful for. “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good” (Psalm 118:1).

Forgive those who have hurt you. Make restitution to those you have hurt.

* “…when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25).

* “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us…” (Luke 11:4).

* “…If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4).

Pray the Lord’s Prayer Meditate on each phrase. Jesus taught us to pray by saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13).

Surrender your life completely to God. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).

Meditate on the attributes of God. As you think about His love, grace, holiness, compassion, goodness, mercy, kindness, sovereignty, power, wisdom, and His faithfulness, you will draw ever closer to your Heavenly Father. Read through the Psalms for inspiration. “…Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed…The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love …For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:1-8, 11-13).

Document all the miracles God has performed in your life. Joshua asked the Israelites to make a large pile of stones as a memorial to the miracle of crossing the Jordan river (Joshua 4:7-8). We can build a similar memorial in our memory by making a list of all the all the wonderful miracles God has performed on our behalf.

Ask God to use you. Ask Him to reveal His plans for your life. Invite God to give you visions of your future. Ask God to show you how to impact the lives of those around you, your family members, your community, your church, your city, your country, and the world. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Expect fresh spiritual insights; expect to be mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed; expect to gain new confidence and faith in God; expect your prayers to be answered.

Keep a journal during your fast. “The LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen” (Isaiah 8:1).

Document the discoveries you have made about God. As I listen to the sermons of my favorite preachers, I often make notes in the margins of my Bible. One day I was overseas and accidentally lost my Bible. My heart sank as I remembered the thousands of discoveries I had documented within its pages. Fortunately, my Bible was returned to me. Immediately, I decided to type up a record of all my notes in case I ever lost my Bible again. I set aside a time of fasting in order to complete the project. With nothing on my desk but my laptop and my Bible, I went from Genesis to Revelation and typed up every sermon note in my Bible. This process was one of my spiritual highs as I reviewed thousands of wonderful truths God had revealed to me over the years. Now, I have a Word Document full of every secret I know about God’s Word.

What Activities Should I Avoid During My Fast?

Don’t:

Watch television

Be distracted

Physically exert yourself.

Give into the temptation to break your fast early.

Boast about your fast to others.

Go where you can smell food being prepared.

Try to Manipulate God The motive of your heart is more important than the length of your fast. Fasting is not a way to manipulate God into blessing you. God is good, He wants to bless you whether you fast or not. You cannot use fasting to twist God’s arm or to gain brownie points. You fast because you want to get closer to God, not because you are trying to get something from Him.

Fasting, in and of itself, is not what impresses God. Rather, it is the heart attitude that we cultivate during fasting that blesses God. If you fast with the wrong motives, you are better off not fasting at all. Here are some examples of people who fasted uselessly.

2. Ahab and his evil wife Jezebel proclaimed a fast as part of a plot to kill a man named Naboth because they wanted to steal his vineyard (1 Kings 21:12). After the murder, Elijah confronted Ahab and prophesied that Ahab’s family would be wiped out and his blood would be split on that same plot of land. Ahab immediately put on sackcloth and ashes and fasted as a sign of his repentance (1 Kings 21:27). Because of his humble response to the word of the Lord, the fulfillment of the prophecy was delayed until after Ahab’s death, but once he died, his body was dumped on the land he had stolen (2 Kings 9:26).
3. In Isaiah’s day, the people fasted as an outward sign of following God, but inwardly they were hypocrites. They would quarrel, fight, mistreat their employees, and hit each other in the middle of the fast. Then they wondered why God did not answer their prayers.“’Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high” (Isaiah 58:3-4).
4. After the seventy year’s of captivity, Zechariah asked the Jews and the priests,“When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for [God] that you fasted?”(Zechariah 7:5).
5. Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee boasted,“I fast twice a week…”(Luke 18:12), but Jesus was not impressed. In the story, the tax collector who asks for mercy from God is justified, not the religious person who is proud of his fasting.

Jesus thought that fasting had become a hypocritical exercise for the religious leaders of his day. The Talmud tells us the Pharisees fasted every second and fifth day of the week, Mondays and Thursdays. Why did they fast on those days? According to them, it was because when Moses went up the mountain to get the Ten Commandments, he left on the fifth day of the week and returned on the second.

But there may have been another reason for their fasts. In Jerusalem, market day was on Monday and Thursday. The people were out on the streets on the days the Pharisees chose to fast, and the religious leaders made sure everyone knew they were fasting. They would dishevel their hair, put on old clothes, cover themselves with dirt and ashes, and actually put white chalk makeup on their cheeks in order to look pale. Then they would walk through the market places with pained, hungry looks on their faces so everyone could see how spiritual they were.

The words of Jesus addressing this type of hypocrisy were quite severe. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:27-28).

This is why Jesus told his disciples, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, 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 men 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 6:15). Fasting is not for impressing men, but for impressing God.

5. Jewish religious leaders made a pact not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.“…the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul”(Acts 23:12-14). But, because their hunger strike was in opposition to God’s will, they failed.

What Should I Expect Before My Fast?

Before you begin a fast:

1. Ask your doctor for advice before going on an extended fast. This advice is particularly important for those who fight diseases like diabetes or who take prescription medicine. Women who are pregnant or nursing should consult their physician. Some should not fast without professional guidance.
2. Do not hasten into your fast. You can prepare your body by eating lighter meals without foods that are high in fat or sugar. Eating fruits and vegetable for several days before the fast will make the fast easier on your body.
3. Set a goal for your fast. Why are you going on a fast? Do you need spiritual guidance or renewal? Are you looking for a solution to a problem? Do you need healing? Are you praying for a revival? What is the specific purpose of your fast? By prayerfully setting a definite goal for your fast, you will be able to focus on a particular spiritual outcome.
4. Make a commitment before God. I know my physical body will desperately tell me it needs food, so before my fast begins, I made a promise to God by praying, “God, by your grace, and with your help, I will not allow food to enter my mouth until my fast is over.” Then, I write my commitment down on a 3×5 card and sign it. I carry this card with me and when I become hungry, I pull it out of my pocket and pray the prayer again. This written contract with God is what gives me the mental strength to complete my fast, even when food is tantalizing my sense of smell.
5. Decide how long you will fast and what type of fast you will go on.  Will you fast for one meal, one day, several days, one week, or forty days? Will you drink water, fruit juices, or go on a vegetable fast?  Use wisdom in deciding what kind of fast to go on. During one forty day fast, I drank nothing but water for the first twenty-one days, then I began to drink juices and soups. The reason I did this was to maintain my strength because directly after the fast, I was scheduled to minister for two months on the mission field. I believe it is important to respect your body and not to push the limits of your strength.
6. Start with a shorter fast and then go on longer fasts. Start with a one-day fast, then do a three-day fast, then as the Lord leads you, go on seven to ten to twenty-one to forty-day fasts.
7. Do not get discouraged if you are unable to complete your first fast. Keep trying until you are successful. God will honor your efforts. After you know what to expect it will be easier to make it through a second or third fast.

What Should I Expect During My Fast?

1. From a physical standpoint, doctors believe short-term fasts are beneficial for the body. By fasting food for one meal or one day, the body is given a well-deserved rest from digesting food. A longer period of fasting (3-7 days), gives the digestive system a chance to clean itself out. During this time, the colon, kidneys, and intestines are able to expel poisons that have accumulated. After your bowels eliminate toxins you be more regular.  The cleansing process is aided by drinking lots of distilled water during the fast.
2. Limit your physical activity during the fast. You can exercise moderately by going on walks.
3. Be prepared to rest more than normal. You may be physically uncomfortable with symptoms like fatigue, hunger pains, weakness, or sleeplessness. Withdrawing from foods that contain sugar and caffeine may cause headaches.
4. Rest as much as your schedule allows.
5. You will lose weight. Generally, you will lose an average of one pound for every day you fast, perhaps a little more during a shorter fast.
6. During the cleansing process, the tongue releases toxins. This often causes bad breath. Because of this, I allow myself to use breath mints. Just because I am suffering does not mean the people around me need to suffer.
7. Fasting can help you defeat bad habits like smoking and drinking and will help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol level. Fasting gives the body time to heal itself. Skin diseases like pimples and complexion problems will be lessened. Your heart, circulation, and blood vessels are all given a rest. You will feel less stress. PMS and hot flashes will decrease. Your joints and muscles will function better. Allergies will not bother you as much.
8. Your brain will function better. Fasting will improve your memory and concentration. Have you ever wondered why everyone takes a nap on Thanksgiving afternoon after the big meal? The stomach needs lots of blood to help it digest food, so after eating, the brain does not have the blood it needs to function at full-speed. This is why we get sleepy after eating a heavy meal. During a fast, the brain can actually function better than normal because blood flows freely to the head.
9. Fasting will save you time. Taking time to eat food can be a mental distraction. If you really want to focus your energy, skipping meal times can help you concentrate. It really is amazing how much time is wasted preparing, eating, and cleaning up meals.
10. Fasting will save you money.“For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty…” (Proverbs 23:21).
11. Paul gives instructions concerning abstaining from sexual activity while fasting to married couples in 1 Corinthians 7:3‑5,“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self‑control.” 

What Should I Expect During an Extended Fast?

The Psalmist said, “My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt” (Psalm 109:24). For any fast over ten days, the body begins to compensate for the lack of food by using the fat that is stored in the body. Eventually, the body begins to feel weak and tired. This is why it is important to approach a fast wisely.

Every person will react differently to a fast, but here is a general guideline of what to expect from a fast.

Days 1-3: The first three days of the fast are the hardest. At your normal meal times, you will feel hungry. This is just your stomach complaining about what you are trying to do. Ignore it. As you feel hunger pains in your stomach, increase your fluid intake.

Days 4-10: You may feel weak for a time, but eventually your body will hit a plateau. Your stomach will shrink and you will stop feeling hungry.

Days 11-30: You will feel great during this period of your fast. It is not wise to engage in any strenuous physical activity, but you will feel good as long as you get plenty of sleep and water.

Days 30-40: The first ten days and the last ten days are the most challenging part of the fast. This is when your body runs out of fat to consume and you may begin to feel deep hunger pains of starvation. You will really need to rely on God for strength during this period. Some optional fruit juice during this period will give you strength to continue.

What Should I Expect After My Fast?

1. You will be hungry after the fast. After Jesus completed his forty day fast, the Bible says, “…he was hungry”(Matthew 4:2). No duh! This wins an award for the understatement of the Bible.  But, despite your hunger, it is best to break a fast carefully.
2. Immediately after the fast, drink a fruit juice that has been diluted with water.  Apple juice helps slowly reawaken your food absorption cells. But, do not drink milk products, or citrus fruit juices, because both diary and citrus are hard on your stomach.
3. Break the fast gradually. Never try to eat a huge meal directly after a fast. Your stomach shrinks during long periods of fasting. One of my friends broke his three-day fast by eating a twenty-four ounce steak dinner. Needless to say, he experienced a lot of discomfort and spent the night running back and forth to the toilet.
4. Good foods to eat as you finish the fast include: yogurt, fresh fruit like apple slices, vegetables, tomato juice, salads, coleslaw, and soup broths.
5. Slowly, work your way back to eating normally. A general guideline to remember is that it will take you as many days to recover as the amount of time you fasted. If you fast for one day, within a day you will be eating the same as before your fast, but after a ten day fast, give yourself ten days to fully recoup your strength.
6. After your fast, maintain your spiritual breakthroughs by continuing to seek the presence of God. Spiritual maturity is not dependent upon a one-time event (like a fast) but on a continuous relationship with God.
7. After your fast, do not look down on others who have not fasted. This attitude is spiritual pride. The whole point of fasting is to humble yourself before God, not to puff yourself up in comparison to others.

You should fast as long as God tells you to fast but use wisdom to not fast beyond your strength. Here are some options for different lengths of fasting.

One Meal Fast

Fasting for one meal is easy. Instead of eating at a regularly scheduled mealtime, use the time to pray and read your Bible. During a designated mealtime, sit down at your dining room table and open up your Bible rather than piling your plate with food.

Fasting for one meal is easy enough that even children can do it. Since kids have growing bodies, they should never go on an extended fast, but if they want to spend a special time with God, a one meal fast is a feasible option.

Some missions experts recommend setting aside one meal every week to pray for an unreached people group, or a particular country. One of my friends has committed to fasting every Monday during lunchtime in order to pray for the country of Afghanistan.

One-Day Fast

A twenty-four hour fast is the good length for your first experiment with fasting. If you have never fasted before, please do not stop eating for forty days for your first fast. It is best to start small and build up toward a longer fast.

My father used to fast from midnight to midnight, but he found himself staying up until after midnight in order to break the fast, so now he fasts from noon to noon. This is easier and perhaps a healthier way to fast.

Examples of one-day fasts in the Bible:

1. During the times of the Judges, the Israelites were fighting and they declared a one-day fast in order to seek God’s wisdom.“The Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD” (Judges 20:26). Subsequently, God gave them complete victory.
2. The Israelites needed relief from the oppression of the Philistines so the prophet Samuel urged them to forsake their false gods and to dedicate their lives to the Lord. When they had all assembled together at Mizpah, Samuel began to intercede on their behalf. “On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD”(1 Samuel 7:6). When the Philistines attacked, God used thunder to vanquish Israel’s enemies. This victory was the beginning of a period of Israelite supremacy that lasted during the rest of Samuel’s life.
3. Saul commanded his soldiers not to eat one day while fighting the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:24).
4. David proclaimed a one day fast of mourning when Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle (2 Samuel 1:12).
5. Later David declared another fast when Abner was killed (2 Samuel 3:35).

Three-Day Fast

The first three days of a fast are often the most difficult. A three-day fast is a real sacrifice that allows you to have time to develop a deeper relationship with God.

1. When the Jews were in danger of being exterminated by Haman’s evil decree, Queen Esther asked all her people to fast for three days.“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16). The purpose of this fast was to gain favor with the king in order to save the Jewish people.
2. Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians when a bright light from heaven blinded him. He fell to the ground and heard the voice of God. For three days after this encounter with the presence of God, Saul fasted (Acts 9:9, 17-19). The humbleness he demonstrated through his fasting was a key element in the restoration of his sight.

Seven-Day Fast

If you are seeking God’s will in a particular matter or if you want extra time to study God’s word intensely, this is the type of fast I recommend.

1. After King Saul was buried, his men declared a seven-day fast as they mourned for him (1 Samuel 31:13).
2. King David fasted for seven days when his child was sick (2 Samuel 12:16-23).

Fourteen-Day Fast

The men on the Apostle Paul’s boat fasted for fourteen days in the middle of a storm (Acts 27:33-34). Even though this fast was more because they were seasick then because they were spiritual, it is instructive to read about how Paul broke the fast. “He took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat” (Acts 27:35).

Twenty-one Day Fast

Daniel fasted in order to gain understanding and to humble himself. He wrote, “I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over” (Daniel 10:2-3). At the end of the twenty-one day period, an angel appeared to Daniel. The angel was sent from God at the beginning of Daniel’s fast but because of spiritual opposition, it took him three weeks to deliver God’s message.

Forty-Day Fast 

This length of fast was observed by Moses twice (Exodus 24:18; 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9, 18, 25-29; 10:10), Elijah (1 King 19:8), and Jesus (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2). I would not recommend this type of fast unless you are serious about seeking God’s face.  Expect to be weak and tired after finishing.  Because of spiritual pride or natural folly, some have made the mistake of trying to fast for longer than is physically wise. They have suffered health problems and in some cases have even died. It is best to begin by fasting for shorter amounts of time and work your way up to longer fasts.

There are no specific rules about fasting. There are as many different ways of fasting as there are people. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you decide what type of fast to embark on.  Here are some different types of fasts:

The Complete Fast

In a complete fast, you do not eat any food or drink any water. However, you should never do a complete fast for longer than seventy-two hours or you will face serious health risks. This type of fast should be extremely rare. It is found in Deuteronomy 9:9, 18, Ezra 8:21; 10:6, Esther 4:16, Acts 9:9, Acts 27:33.

The Normal Fast

In a normal food fast, you stop eating food for a period of time and drink nothing but water. This type of fast is mentioned many times in the Bible. In a variation of the food fast, you continue to drink liquids like fruit juices, but eat no solid foods.

The Partial Fast

In a partial fast, you limit the type of food you eat for a period of time. The prophet Daniel went on this type of fast when he only ate vegetables and drank water, abstaining from all  “pleasant meat.” Daniel refused to eat meat because it had been sacrificed to false idols. At first, his Babylonian guard did not want to change Daniel’s diet, but Daniel asked the guard to test him for ten days by feeding him only vegetables to eat and water to drink. Daniel said, “Then compare our appearance with that of the other young men who eat the royal food.” At the end of the ten days Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than everyone who ate the royal food. “…So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead” (Daniel 1:16). This type of fast is typically called the “Daniel Fast.”

God honors a “Daniel Fast” just as much as he honors a total fast. This fast is a good for those who fight a physical condition like anemia, hypoglycemia, or diabetes. It is also realistic for those who engage in lots of physical labor in their jobs. Other partial fasts include Elijah’s partial fast of meal and oil cakes in 1 Kings 17, and John the Baptist’s fast of nothing but locusts and honey (Matthew 3:4).

The Media Fast

In a Media Fast, you fast from things other than food that distract you from God. In today’s sight and sound generation, everything happens at the speed of light. Often television, music, and e-mail can become overwhelming. A break from these distractions can strengthen our relationship with heaven.

You can tailor a Media Fast to specifically fit your needs. For example, when I was a teenager my family was spending too much time in front of the television so my Dad decreed we were going to fast from TV for one month. The plug was pulled and the TV was turned to face the wall. For one month, we did not fellowship with that ol’ one-eyed-devil, the boob tube. Perhaps you could fast from listening to secular music, or from surfing the Internet, or from reading romance novels, or from watching the news, or stop doing other activities which have the tendency to inadvertently replace God in your life.

The Specialized Fast

In a specialized fast, you take something you enjoy and sacrifice it on the altar to God. You can fast from chocolate, meat, sweets, coffee, soda pop, or other non-essentials.  By omitting a few items from your normal diet, you are reminded of your fast each time you crave those items. This will prompt you to pray instead of eating. Use your belly as a spiritual alarm clock.

Many Christians do this every year as they celebrate Lent which is a reenactment of Christ’s forty day fast. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues until Easter. During this time it is customary to give up meat, milk products, or other luxury foods. The tradition goes back to the early church who used the fast as a time to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter morning. Lent is a time for repentance, reflection, and rededication.   My sister, Esther, has been fasting from soda pop for over three years. She decided to go on this specialized fast because she read that the sugar in soda can harm the body in the long run. In the middle of the second year of her fast, I tricked her into breaking her fast by replacing the water in her glass with lime soda when she was not looking. Mad as a hornet, she spit all the soda out of her mouth. She did not think my joke was funny. Now, she watches me closely to make sure I stay away from her cup.

The Fasted Lifestyle

In a fasted lifestyle, you maintain disciplined eating habits over a long period of time. If you do not rule your appetite, your appetite will rule you. Eating a few hundred calories less each day will result in long-term weight loss over the course of a year. Since your body is God’s temple, you should keep it in as good of shape as possible.

The Nazarites lived a fasted lifestyle. They dedicated their lives to God by committing to a restricted diet and made a vow to never drink wine or eat anything made of grapes (Numbers 6:4). You can maintain a fasted lifestyle through self-discipline by taking smaller portions, not finishing everything on your plate, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and avoiding unhealthy, fat-filled, high cholesterol foods.

I think they should call fasting “Christian Anorexia.” When I fasted for forty days, I lost thirty-five pounds! What a wonderful diet! Do you want to lose weight? Stop eating! Guaranteed to work or your money back! Fasting is not actually a good way to maintain weight loss. It is possible to lose large amounts of weight quickly when you fast, but your metabolism goes into starvation mode and when you start eating again your body stores fat in order to prepare for another period of famine. This is similar to the yo-yo effect many experience when going on diets. They lose lots of weight and quickly regain it when the diet is over. The answer to this problem is a fasted lifestyle.

The Corporate Fast

In a corporate fast, an entire congregation or group of people or even an entire nation fast at the same time. There are many examples of corporate fasting in the Bible: Samuel declared a corporate fast of repentance for worshiping false idols (1 Samuel 7:5-6), King Jehoshophat called all of Judea to a fast when enemies were approaching (2 Chronicles 20:3-4), Esther asked her uncle Mordecai to have all the Jews in Suza fast (Esther 4:15‑16), Ezra asked the people to fast for protection before going on a long journey (Ezra 8:21-23), the returned exiles fasted and repented after hearing the word of God read (Nehemiah 9:1-3), Joel encourages the nation to declare a corporate fast of repentance  (Joel 1:14, 2:15-15), Nineveh went on a corporate fast after Jonah prophesied to them (Jonah 3:7), all the prisoners, sailors, and soldiers on Paul’s ship fasted for deliverance from the storm (Acts 27:33-37).

Recently, my friend, Pastor Billy Allen asked his entire church to fast and pray for one week. No one was forced to fast and each person made private commitments to God concerning which days he or she fasted. The pastor reported that almost the entire congregation participated and that the church received tremendous spiritual blessing in the weeks that followed the fast.

Another friend, Pastor Dominic Russo asked his church to fast for a period of forty days. Each member of the church was asked to give up something during that time. One church member called Pastor Dominic and reported, “Pastor, this fast has been really good for me. I decided to stop drinking alcohol during the forty days.” Surprised that one of his congregation had a drinking problem, Pastor Dominic could just say, “Well, good for you.”

There are many benefits of a corporate fast. First, corporate fasting helps unify a church for a common purpose. Those who pray together, stay together. Second, corporate fasting facilitates corporate repentance for corporate sins. Third, a corporate fast releases a corporate anointing. Fourth, there is an element of positive peer pressure during a corporate fast. Fifth, everyone who fasts in a corporate fast shares the blessing of the whole. In Matthew 10, Jesus told the story of the laborers in the fields. The ones who worked all day received the same payment as those who only worked one hour. In a corporate fast, some may fast many days and others may fast only a few meals but they will all share alike in the benefits of fasting together.

Are you facing a crisis in your life? Is there a problem in your family? In your country? Is there a crisis in your financial situation or in your physical body? Do you desperately need wisdom?

Years ago, my father faced a physical crisis. His body began to show symptoms of diabetes, which is a hereditary disease in his family. He decided to petition God for healing by fasting for three days. At the end of the fast, he threw up a foul substance; it was a symbol of the demonic power that was attacking him. After the fast, he was completely healed and never struggled with diabetes again.

Fasting during a time of crisis show God you are serious about getting your prayers answered. Here are some examples of people who fasted during times of crisis in the Bible.

1. Hanna was barren. She could not have children. She fasted and prayed for a child (1 Samuel 1:7) and God answered her prayer. To say thanks, she dedicated her son to the Lord. Her son grew up to be Samuel, one of the most significant prophets of the Old Testament.
2. When Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle, Israel fasted in mourning (1 Samuel 31:15; 2 Samuel 1:12; 1 Chronicles 10:12).
3. When David’s baby son was sick, he fasted and prayed for God to heal the boy (2 Samuel 12:16).
4. King Jehoshaphat was faced with three armies coming to attack him, in response; he declared a fast(2 Chronicles 20:1‑4). God heard the prayers of the people and all three of the invading armies were miraculously destroyed.
5. The Holocaust was not the first time Satan tried to wipe out the Jews. Five centuries before Christ, evil Haman tried to kill every Jew. He tricked the king into signing a death warrant for all of God’s chosen people. When Queen Esther, a Jew, heard about the plot, she asked all the Jews to fast and pray for three days. She sent a message to her uncle Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish”(Esther 4:15‑16). Queen Esther risked her life by approaching the king to ask for clemency for the Jews, but because of the fasting and prayer, she had favor with the king and God saved the lives of her people.

D.L. Moody said, “Be humble or you’ll stumble.” One of the greatest dangers for believers is spiritual pride. I have to continually check my motives, my thoughts, and my attitudes in order to beat down the ugly head of the dragon called ego. Pride slinks in subtly. Before you know it you become proud of how humble you are. Fasting is the greatest spiritual weapon for curing the spirit of pride.

Fasting humbles you fast. Seven days without food makes one weak. Suddenly, you cannot rely on your own strength and you are forced to rely on heaven for strength.

Fasting is a vote for God, against your flesh. Your spirit and your flesh are at war with each other over which will control your life. The mind screams, “Eat, sleep, and procreate,” while your spirit quietly whispers “Spend time with God.” Fasting weakens the voice of your flesh and increases your sensitivity to the voice of God. When God’s Spirit controls your spirit, you have the strength to control your emotions and physical desires.  Disciplining the body helps discipline the soul.

King David become so puffed up during the middle of his reign that he committed adultery with another man’s wife, and then had the man killed. But, when Nathan the prophet pointed out his sin, David immediately became contrite before God. Remembering this event, he sings, “…I wept and chastened my soul with fasting…” (Psalm 69:10 – NKJ). In another psalm, David writes, “[I] humbled myself with fasting” (Psalm 35:13).

Because of David’s humbleness, God forgave him. He promises to forgive and heal us too, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The Bible says, “God gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34). God loves the humble, but He opposes the proud. The Lord says, “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2), and again, “The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground” (Psalm 147:6). Ultimately, you will be humbled. The choice is yours. Will you humble yourself or wait to be humbled forcefully?

Imagine, a proud servant enters the presence of a king and refuses to bow. What will the king do? He will order the guards to arrest the man and throw him into a dungeon until he learns some manners. But, a humble servant bows down and prostrates himself before the king. The ruler takes his hand and lifts him up, exalting him in front of the whole kingdom. James said, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10). Peter repeats this idea, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

Jesus also taught this concept. He said, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). One time, Jesus used a child as an object lesson. The disciples felt they were far more important than little children, but Jesus said, “…whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4). Do you want to be great? Then humble yourself!

When Jesus fasted, Satan came to him and said, “Turn those stones into bread.” The devil was a little less confident in my level of faith, he figured I would have laughed at him if he had suggested that I eat rocks. So, he tried a different approach. As I was driving down the road, I saw a sign for a fast-food restaurants and the devil tempted me, “Daniel, turn those dollar bills into hamburgers.” When I fast, I find that not only do I become more sensitive to God’s voice, I am also able to recognize the devil’s voice more clearly.      

Temptation is something everyone faces. “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come” (Luke 17:1). Being tempted is not a sin, the sin occurs when we give into temptation. Fortunately, God has given us the tool of fasting to help us resist temptation.

Temptation is nothing but a gaudy ordainment painted with fool’s gold. It promises much and delivers little. Paul said, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). The way out will often be revealed to you when you are fasting.

When Jesus was in the desert on his forty day fast, the devil tempted him with the same three temptations he had used on Adam; the lust of the flesh (turn these stones into bread), the lust of the eyes (jump from the temple), and the pride of life (bow to me and I will give you the world). Jesus may have been weak physically, but the fast made him strong spiritually. Satan never had a chance because Jesus was powered up after spending so much time with His Father.

Here are some verses that will help you resist temptation.

* “…live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Galatians 5:16).

* “…do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27).

* “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).

* “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:13-15).

* “Through these he has given us his great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4)

My worst bout with Satan came at the end of my first forty-day fast. Throughout the forty days, I had worked diligently on writing my book “Healing Power.” For hours every day I searched the scriptures for promises about God’s ability to heal. I studied the books and videos of great healing evangelists. I memorized scriptures about healing. Finally the book was completed just as my fast was coming to an end.

Unfortunately, I made an unwise decision when breaking my fast. Instead of recovering slowly by sipping soups, I visited a waffle restaurant. My stomach had shrunk. I took only two bites of a waffle, a sip of milk, a sliver of egg, but it was too much for my body to handle. Three hours later, the most severe pain I have ever experienced in my life hit my stomach. I could barely breath. I curled up in a ball, racked with pain.

For seven days, I laid on my bed and suffered. The entire time, Satan was shouting in my ear, “Healer, heal yourself. You wrote a book on healing, but you can’t even get yourself healed. God’s word does not work. Your healing ministry is over before it even began. Give up. God cannot heal you.”

I know the devil is a liar, but it was so hard to ignore him. I rocked back and forth in pain, and confessed healing scriptures. I squeezed each word out of my mouth in between groans, “I…aaaa…am….ohhh…the God….owwww…that heals…..you.” Satan just laughed at me.

I faced intense temptation during this time. You think thoughts when you are in pain that you would never think when healthy. I was wondering if God is real, if He does miracles, if I should even be in ministry, if I should kill myself to stop the pain? But, I kept quoting scripture, just like Jesus did when he was faced with temptation and I came through victorious!

I was hesitant to share this story with you because I do not want to scare you away from fasting. If you use wisdom when breaking your fast, there is no reason you should get sick like I did. The point is that fasting will give you strength to overcome temptation.

In India, during the best part of my sermon, a woman started manifesting a demon. Her tongue flicked in and out her mouth, she hissed, and started to sway like a cobra. The whole audience became distracted by the disturbance. I continued to preach and as the translator was repeating my words, I began to pray under my breath, “You foul demon, in the name of Jesus, come out of her.” With a loud screech, the demon left and the woman gave her life to Jesus that night. My fasting and prayer prepared me for this confrontation.

In Nicaragua, a crowd of fifty thousand people filled the field. In the front row, a woman started screaming, her face a grimace of ugliness. I got the attention of my friend Emmanuel and pointed to the lady as if to say, “Take care of it.” He took a running leap off the front of the stage, put his hands on either side of her head and spoke directly to the demon, “Shut up! Shut up in the name of Jesus!” Immediately, the demon was silent. We took the woman around the back of the stage, cast the demons out of her, and led her to Jesus. When she returned to testify she had a beautiful smile on her face. The reason Emmanuel had the boldness to confront the demon is because he had spent time in prayer. He knew the power of Jesus was much greater than the power of any demon.

When Jesus was on top of the Mount of Transfiguration, a man brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples. Because of their lack of faith, they were unable to cast out the demon. When Jesus returned, He cast out the demon and rebuked the disciples. Then He gave them a secret weapon that would help them cast out demonic powers. Jesus said, “This kind [of demon] does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).

Have you heard about the evangelist who misunderstood this instruction? God spoke to him, “I want you to fast and pray.” But, the evangelist thought God said, “I want you to pray fast.” You should have seen him trying to cast out demons. His prayers were faster than lightening. He laid his hands on fifty people in two minutes, spitting a dozen prayers out of his mouth every ten seconds.

Jesus tapped into the power of fasting during his forty day fast. When Jesus finished fasting he “…returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14). No demon was able to resist him. There are some spiritual tasks that can only be accomplished through fasting.

Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking prey to devour. If you pray not, you will be preyed on. Fasting produces the necessary faith to defeat every attack of Satan. Fasting is actually one of the most powerful tools we have available in our spiritual war.

Nevertheless, we can defeat the devil even without fasting because Jesus lives inside of us. A preacher was ministering in Africa and a man in one of his services began to manifest a demon. When the minister tried to cast the demon out, the devil began to mock him, “I’m the type of demon that cometh not out but by fasting and prayer.”

“Oh, no,” thought the man, “I have not fasted recently, I can’t cast out this demon.” He started to feel condemnation for not having fasted.

Then the Holy Spirit rose up inside him and reminded him that believers do nothing from their own strength but only through the grace of God. The preacher spoke to the demon, “You evil spirit, I have not fasted recently, but I know someone who fasted for forty days and nights and in his name, the name of Jesus, I command you to come out.” The demon-possessed man was instantly set free.

In the middle of the famous Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches about three foundational truths for the believer; giving, praying, and fasting. Many churches preach about the first two, but neglect the third truth. Twice in the sermon, Jesus told the disciples, “When you fast…” (Matthew 6:16; 17). Jesus assumed all his disciples should fast.

Jesus did not say to His disciples, “If you fast…,” instead He said, “When you fast…” So, obviously he expected us to fast. If Jesus appeared in your bedroom and gave you an instruction, would you obey him? “Of course I would,” I can hear you saying. Well, Jesus specifically said His followers would fast after He returned to heaven, why do so few believers follow His command? Thousands in the church casually wear WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets, but when it comes to fasting not many follow His example.

Jesus fasted at the beginning of his ministry for forty days. It is probable that He continued to fast regularly during his stay on earth because He casts out demons which He says only come out through fasting and prayer (Matthew 17:21). Jesus also promised to continue a partial fast by not drinking the fruit of the vine until His return (Luke 22:18).

Since Jesus fasted, we should fast. Jesus said, “No servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16). If Jesus used fasting to prepare for ministry, we should use fasting to prepare for ministry.

When Jesus was on earth, the disciples did not fast like the religious people did. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast” (Mark 2:18‑20).   In this story, Jesus clearly indicates to his disciples and their critics that after His ascension to heaven, fasting would be part of the normative experience of every Christian. We should continue to fast until our bridegroom returns in bodily form. After the marriage supper of the lamb, we will never need to fast again because we will be physically present with our bridegroom for all of eternity.

Right after I graduated from college, I decided to fast for forty days as a way to launch my ministry. My main motivation for doing this was because I wanted to be like Jesus. I figured if fasting was a good idea for Him, it was a good idea for me. It was my way of showing myself I was serious about going into the ministry. Those forty days were extremely difficult. I felt like giving up hundreds of times. I expected the days to be full of glory, instead, I was weak and hungry. But, I successfully completed the fast. Since then, as is common for every minister, problems and difficulties have tempted me frequently to quit the ministry. But, every time I am tempted to give in, I remember the lessons I learned during my first forty day fast. I will not give up, the world needs me too much.

At times, it may feel like your prayers are bouncing off the gates of heaven. No matter how much you pray, it seems God is not listening. One possible reason for this situation is hidden sin in your life.

Sin is rooted in the desire to please oneself rather then to please heaven. God’s first command to Adam and Eve was to fast from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The first sin in the history of mankind was their refusal to fast from the forbidden fruit.  By eating, the first man and woman became slaves to their own desires. Sin entered the world when Eve “took and ate” (Genesis 3:6). Salvation came when Jesus said “Take, eat, this is my body” (Mark 14:22). When we fast, we deny our physical desires in order to have communion with God. Fasting is a symbol of our hope to reenter paradise.

God is perfect and it is impossible for Him to tolerate sin in any form. Because of our sinful condition, it is unacceptable for us to approach the throne room of God Almighty based on our own merits. Our best efforts are flawed, imperfect, and dirty in the sight of God. The only way for us to enter God’s presence is by having our imperfections covered by the blood of Jesus. Therefore, before we can intimately connect with God, we need to repent.

As long as we keep unconfessed sin hidden in our hearts, all fasting and prayer will be ineffective. Here are some verses which illustrate this truth.

* “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18).

* “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).

* “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will” (John 9:31).

During your fast, the Holy Spirit will prompt you to repent of various sins and sinful tendencies.

Sins of Commission and Omission

There are two types of sins that are worthy of repentance. The first type is a sin of deliberate disobedience (sins of commission). The second type is an unknown sin rooted in ignorance of God’s commands (sins of omission). Sins of commission are bad things you have done. Sins of omission are good things you have failed to do.

An example of a sin of commission would be seeing a speed limit sign and deliberately ignoring it by speeding. A sin of omission would be forgetting to renew your car’s inspection sticker. In the first example, you are deliberately committing a violation of a law. In the second, even though you are not breaking the law on purpose you are still breaking the law by forgetting to do what the government requires.

A sin of commission would be gossiping about a friend. A sin of omission would be to fail to speak up in defense of a friend when someone else is gossiping behind her back.

A sin of commission would be stealing from the offering plate at church. A sin of omission would be failing to pay your tithe as God commanded you to do.

Jesus commanded us to preach the Gospel so if we are not sharing the good news with people we come in contact with in our daily lives, we are committing a sin of omission. Even though we have done nothing overtly wrong, we are sinning by omitting an important component of our Christian walk. Failing to do what we should be doing is just as much of a sin as deliberately disobeying the Ten Commandments.

List of sins we should repent from:

According to one early church document, here are some areas God may lead you to repent in: personal failings, generational weakness, sinful tendencies, and deliberate sinful behavior by you.  fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, jealousy, rivalry, hatred, anger, envy, bitterness, injustice, debauchery, gluttony, readiness to accuse, wrath, disputes, the love of money (which is the root of all evil), foolish talking, gossip, dissensions, ill-will, rage, falsehood, drunkenness, revelry, buffoonery, boisterous laughter, backbiting, insinuations, clamor, abuse, insolence of speech, malice, inventing of evil, talkativeness, babbling, threatenings, gnashing of teeth, jarring, blows, perversions of the right, laxness in judgment, haughtiness, arrogance, ostentation, pompousness, boasting of family, of beauty, of position, of wealth, quarrelsomeness, eagerness for victory, disloyalty, retaliation, overreaching (which is idolatry), love of display, vainglory, love of rule, assumption, pride (which is called death, and which “God fights against”).

Facts about repentance

1. Repentance is a process. It is like peeling an onion. After you repent of one layer of sin, the Holy Spirit will reveal another layer and then another layer. Each layer is scrubbed away by applying the blood of Jesus. This deep cleansing process continues until you are left squeaky clean.
2. Repentance is a glorious time of purification. At first it will be painful as the Holy Spirit delves into the deepest corners of your soul and asks you to repent of your human failings, but as you rip out the tentacles of sin, you will feel a tremendous freedom.
3. Repentance is often accompanied by tears. Crying serves as a therapeutic cleansing of your soul.
4. Repentance is not a process of condemnation, but of liberation. The Holy Spirit is not trying to make you feel bad for all the things you have done wrong, instead he desires to heal your scars. When a nurse cleans a wound, she carefully removes all foreign debris, pours on antiseptic to kill the germs, and carefully sews the injury shut. This process of cleaning may be painful, but it is essential for the long-term health of the patient. If you have a thorn in your foot, you want the thorn removed even if the process is painful. In the same way, you want sin pulled from your heart, because the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term discomfort of your flesh.  The good news is that once the spiritual pus is cleaned from your wound, you will be free from the pain of that sin. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Biblical examples of people who repented while fasting.          

1. Fasting for Repentance on the Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement (also known as Yom Kippur) was the most important day in the life of the Israelites. The word “atonement” means to cover over, to purge, to cleanse, and to make reconciliation. The Day of Atonement was a consecrated time of asking God for forgiveness. Only on this day was the High Priest allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. All the Israelites were commanded to fast as a sign of their repentance.

“The LORD said to Moses, “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves and fast, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire. Do no work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God. Anyone who does not deny himself and fast on that day must be cut off from his people. I will destroy from among his people anyone who does any work on that day. You shall do no work at all. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. It is a Sabbath of rest for you, and you must deny yourselves and fast. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your Sabbath” (Leviticus 23:26-32).

Let us watch the Israelites as they solemnly celebrate the Day of Atonement. (Read Leviticus 16). Since the night before, the entire nation has been fasting. At the break of dawn, thousands gather around the Tabernacle as the High Priest prepares to atone for their sins for another year.

The High Priest begins the day by washing himself. Then he dresses in a plain white robe. Normally, he wears luxurious blue robes embroidered in beautiful colors, a jeweled breastplate, and a golden headpiece, but on this day, he puts on the simplest of clothing. When he is ready, the priest sacrifices a bull as a sin offering for his own sin. Before he can represent the nation, he must offer atonement for his own mistakes.

He carries some of the blood from the bull and enters the holiest place, where God dwells. He passes the Holy place (which contains the golden candlestick, the table of shewbread, and the altar of incense) and enters the Holy of Holies that only contains the Ark of the Covenant. This is a small chest with a lid made of solid gold. This lid is called “The Mercy Seat” or “Throne of Mercy.” Attached to the lid are golden statues of two cherubim (angels).

Hovering above the Mercy Seat is the tangible presence of the living God. The priest sprinkles the blood on the mercy seat seven times to make atonement for his sins. If God forgives him, he can walk out a clean man but if God refuses to accept his atonement he will drop dead where he stands (Remember the movie Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark?). Because of this a long rope is tied to his ankle so his dead body can be pulled from the tabernacle for burial.

After he finishes atoning for his own sins, the priest prepares to atone for the sins of the entire nation. Two goats are chosen to provide a sin offering for the people. The priest places his hands on the head of one of the goats (symbolically transferring the sins of the nation onto the goat) then he kills the goat. The blood is taken into the Holy Place and sprinkled on the Mercy Seat.

Underneath the Mercy Seat are the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses. These are the commandments the people have broken. God sees their sin and His justice demands punishment. The priest sprinkles the blood of a substitute, innocent sacrifice in order to cover the sins of the people. Now, God does not see their sin, instead He sees the blood of the sacrifice which was killed in their place. “On this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins” (Leviticus 16:30). The second goat is set free in the wilderness symbolizing another year of freedom from God’s wrath for the nation of Israel.

All of this was a foreshadow of Christ’s work on the cross. Every human being has sinned and God’s justice demands payment. Jesus served as a substitute, as an innocent sacrifice when he died on the cross. He became our High Priest when he sprinkled His own blood once and for all time on the Mercy Seat. Now, our Day of Atonement comes when we accept Jesus as our Savior.

How does this ancient day and its rituals relate to our lives today? We still sin and we still need our flaws covered by the blood of Jesus. On the Day of Atonement the people fasted as a symbol of their humbleness before God as they waited for their sins to be forgiven. Fasting serves as a powerful sign of our dependence upon Christ for the forgiveness of sins. So, if there is a sin in your life that you want to repent for, fasting helps prepare your heart for the process

I recommend a personal day of atonement. Set aside a day to fast specifically for the forgiveness of your sins. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any hidden sins in your heart. This can be a wonderful time of release and cleansing.

2. Samuel led Israel in a day of repentance.“When they had assembled…they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel was leader…”(1 Samuel 7:6).

3. Evil king Ahab adverted judgment because of his fasting.“When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day…”(1 Kings 21:27-29).

4. The Ninevites repented because of Jonah’s preaching.

After Jonah preached to the evil city of Nineveh, the King of the Ninevites declared one of the greatest fasts in history. Not only did he command his people to fast, he also decreed that every animal (dogs, cats, sheep, horses, oxen) should fast (Jonah 3:7). The purpose of the fast was to repent of the city’s wickedness. From the least to the greatest in the city, everyone put on sackcloth and ashes and stopped eating in order to cry out in repentance for all of their sins. God heard their cries and forgave the entire city.

5. Jeremiah encouraged people to repent while they were fasting(Jeremiah 36:6-10).

6. The prophet Joel encouraged the sinful nation to fast and repent.“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning…Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. ”(Joel 2:12,15).

7. Daniel fasted for the sins of his people.Daniel“turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. [Daniel] prayed to the Lord…God and confessed: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws…O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive!”…while [Daniel] was still in prayer, Gabriel…came to [him] in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He…said… “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed” (Daniel 9:3-23). When we fast and repent, God listens, forgives, and answers our prayers!
8. Ezra fasted because the people had been unfaithful.“…Ezra withdrew from before the house of God…he ate no food and drank no water, because he continued to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles”(Ezra 10:6).

9. Nehemiah confessed the sins of Israel while fasting.He says,“…I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses” (Nehemiah 1:4-7).

During a crusade in Africa, I was approached by the chairman of the Prayer and Fasting Committee. He told me, “The Fasting Committee refuses to pray for your crusade unless you pay us one dollar every day.” In that country, a dollar is a large sum of money. I was taken aback by the question and I explained that they should be praying, not because I was paying them, but because they were Christians who wanted the lost to be saved. I do not think God is impressed with purchased prayer.

I asked the chairman, “Why does the fasting committee want to be paid?” He explained they needed money in order to buy food to eat. I laughed, “But, you are the fasting committee, you are not supposed to be eating food.” He did not have much of an answer for that. Fasting is not something to be done casually; it is a tool for shaking the heavens and increasing your spiritual authority.

The first thing Paul did after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus was to go on a three day fast (Acts 9:9).  Later, before the Antioch church ordained Paul and Barnabas as ministers, they all fasted and prayed. After they heard God’s voice, they laid hands on them and sent them out as missionaries “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:3). As Paul traveled to churches, he followed the same pattern before ordaining elders (Acts 14:23).

Here are Paul’s instructions to ministers, “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned” (2 Corinthians 6:4‑6 – KJV).

Paul also said, “…when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Fasting makes us physically weak, but this causes us to lean on God for strength. When we are physically weak, we become spiritually strong! When fasting is added to prayer, spiritual power increases!

God will turn your physical fast into a spiritual feast. “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah…’” (Zechariah 8:19).

The world is not a safe place. On the news every night, we see stories of kidnaping, murder, theft, and rape. In modern times, we need God’s protection like never before. Fasting is one way to ask God for protection.

After Ezra rebuilt the temple when the seventy year captivity of the Jews ended, Artaxerxes, the king of Babylon decided to honor God by giving Ezra tens of thousands of dollars worth of gold and silver to provide for the temple’s needs. Ezra faced a problem. In between Babylon and Jerusalem were many bandits and enemies who would be delighted to steal the gold. Ezra did not want to ask the king to provide soldiers for defense because he had explained to the king about how God protects His children.

So, Ezra decided to fast in order to ask God for protection during a journey. In his words, “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer” (Ezra 8:21‑23). During the journey, God did protect them and they arrived in Jerusalem safely.

When I travel overseas, I often face unsafe conditions. I visit countries where Christians are hated, where theft is common, and where sickness is a constant threat. Before I go, I do my best to make sure I am spiritually prepared to face the challenges. Often I will spend time fasting, praying, and confessing Psalm 91 over my life. It is a great comfort to know God’s angels are watching over me.

Behind the scenes of everyday normal life, there is a huge spiritual battle being fought. As Paul said, “…our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Our prayers can make the difference between spiritual victory and spiritual defeat.

Prayer and fasting on this earth has tremendous effect on the spiritual battlefield. Jesus said,  “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18). Martin Luther said, “None can believe how powerful prayer is, and what it is able to effect, but those who have learned it by experience.” Even if we do not see the effects of our prayers, we can be assured that our prayers are helping win the victory.

Five minutes of prayer is like a hand-grenade launched in the devil’s direction. An hour of prayer is like an artillery shell aimed at Satan’s camp. But, fasting is our top-secret weapon for defeating the enemy. Bill Bright says “[Fasting] is the spiritual atomic bomb that our Lord has given us to destroy the strongholds of evil and usher in a great revival and spiritual harvest around the world.”

Have you ever wondered what God’s will is for your life? Every day we ask ourselves questions like: Who should I marry? What school should I go to? Should I become a missionary or get a secular job? Where should I live? What is the next step for my life? A fast can help bring clarity when making these decisions.

One of my friends was trying to decide if he should romantically pursue a particular girl. He decided to go on a three day fast in order to seek God’s council. While God did not speak to him audibly, he did feel peace at the end of the fast about dating her. When I asked him why he felt he needed to fast, my friend explained, “I needed to hear from God. I did not know how to hear God’s voice and I knew I needed to have a few days of quiet so I could become sensitive to what He was saying.”

One occasion when fasting was used to seek direction was when the Israelites were at war. For two days, they had gone to battle and lost thousands of lives and now they are wondering if they should turn and run or stay to fight one more day. “Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening…And the Israelites inquired of the LORD…They asked, “Shall we go up again to battle…?” The LORD responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands” (Judges 20:26-28). On the third day, they completely defeated the enemy. Perhaps you have suffered a defeat in your business or job and you are wondering if you should throw in the towel or keep trying. A fast can help answer your questions

A similar situation occurred when “…Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast…” (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). In response to this fast, God gave King Jehoshaphat precise instructions on how to win the war he was facing. A time of quiet before God will silence the conflicting voices in our heads and amplify God’s voice. This makes God’s will easier to discover and follow. God often speaks during times of fasting.

For example, in the fifth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, a day of fasting was proclaimed for Judah. Throughout the fast, the people came to the temple with their petitions for God. It was during this time of fasting that Jeremiah the prophet finished dictating the word of the Lord to his scribe Baruch and sent him to read the divine revelation in the temple. Jeremiah told him, “…go to the house of the Lord on a day of fasting and read to the people from the scroll the words of the Lord that you wrote as I dictated” (Jeremiah 36:6). The day of fasting was the day God chose to reveal His will. Unfortunately, neither the king nor the people listened to what God was saying. They fasted and came to the temple with prayer requests, but when God began to speak, they did not listen. Sometimes, God may say what we do not want to hear, but before embarking on a fast we should make a commitment to hearing and obeying what God says.

For several years, I have made a habit of setting aside time in January for fasting. This gives me the opportunity to seek direction for the New Year and it serves as a “first-fruits” offering of my time to God.

The first purpose for fasting is to spend time with God. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is often difficult to set aside quality time with our Creator. During the daily grind there are people to see, places to go, and things to do. An amazing amount of time is spent doing mundane things like eating. By fasting, we carve out extra time in our schedules to read the Bible, pray, and to worship God. This directly enhances our spiritual life by putting us in contact with the Heavenly Father. The best steaks are marinated for hours in seasoning sauces. A fast allows you to spend time soaking in God’s presence.

Here are three examples of how fasting allowed Biblical characters to meet God.

1. When Moses fasted for forty days on top of the mountain, he experienced the tangible glory of God. For forty days he met with God and never even thought about eating. When he came back down the mountain, his face was radiant because of the presence of God (Exodus 34:29). Fasting allows us to spend time in God’s presence and to experience the glory of God.
2. Anna the prophetess prayed and fasted regularly for eighty-four years, she never left the temple but worshiped day and night. Simeon the prophet was righteous and devout. Together, these two ancient people looked for the coming of the Messiah. God told Simeon he would not die until after he laid eyes on the one who would save Israel. For many years, they fasted and prayed for the opportunity to see the Christ, until one day Mary and Joseph arrived at the temple with the baby Jesus. Simeon, led by the Spirit of God, recognized the baby and praised God that he had seen“the salvation of the world.”  When Anna saw the baby, she also gave thanks to God.  (Luke 2:25-39).

            What were these old people praying for? They wanted to see the Messiah. Because of their prayers, they had the opportunity to meet Jesus. Spending time in fasting and prayer is also a way for you to meet God.

3. Cornelius was a Roman centurion, a Gentile, who wanted to meet the God of Israel in a time when only Jews were allowed to know God. Cornelius and his family were known as to be devout and God-fearing. Because he wanted to meet God he regularly fasted, prayed, and gave money to the poor.

            One day, at about three o’clock in the afternoon, an angel appeared to him and said, “Cornelius, your prayers and your giving have caught God’s attention. Send for the Apostle Peter who is staying in Joppa.” The angel proceeded to give precise instructions where to find Peter. Cornelius immediately sent his servants to find Peter.

            Meanwhile, God showed Peter a vision to convince him Gentiles could be saved. When the servant arrived, Peter returned with them to visit the centurion. Cornelius had gathered all his friends and relatives to listen to Peter. When Peter began preaching to them, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They were the first Gentiles in history to be saved (Acts 10:1-48). The centurion’s combination of fasting, prayer, and giving impressed God and allowed him to become the first Gentile to meet God. Your fasting will help you meet God too.

The best passage in the Bible on fasting is Isaiah 58:6-12. God says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen…” Then, He lists many of the benefits of fasting. Here they are:

1. Fasting sets those in captivity free.

“…to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?…” If you, or a member of your family, has been bound by the oppression of Satan, fasting is a powerful tool to set them free! It is particularly powerful at setting people free from addictions, from sexual sins like adultery and pornography, and from sins of the imagination. By denying the body a basic necessity like food, we can be set free from sins that have held the flesh captive.

2. Fasting sets abundance in the proper perspective.

“…Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter‑ when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?…” There are millions of people around the globe who are forced to regularly skip meals because they are too poor to buy food. By skipping a meal and sending the money we would have spent on that meal to a needy person, we use our wealth unselfishly.

3. Fasting produces revelation.

“…Then your light will break forth like the dawn…” If you need God’s help in a dark situation, fasting will reveal the light at the end of the tunnel!

4. Fasting causes healing.

“…and your healing will quickly appear…” If you, or a friend, are fighting a disease, fasting puts you in direct contact with God’s healing power. (Note: Make sure you ask your doctor before going on a fast, especially if you are sick).

5. Fasting is a sign of righteousness.

“…then your righteousness will go before you…” God makes us righteous because of our faith, but faith without works is dead. Fasting is a physical indication of a desire to be more righteous. As we fast, God will notice our sacrifice and answer our prayers.

6. Fasting allows you to experience the glory of God.

“…and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard…” If you want God’s glory to follow you everywhere you go, fasting is a great way to press into the presence of God. After Moses fasted on the mountain for forty days, he was forced to cover his face when he spoke with the Israelites because God’s glory on his face was too strong for them to look at him. Once you have spent time in the throne room, God’s glory will follow you.

7. Fasting gets prayers answered.

“…Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I…” When you call on God, He will answer you. When you ask Him for help, He will provide the answer.

8. Fasting helps us focus on solutions instead of pointing at problems.

            “…If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed…” All too often, we point fingers and gossip instead of helping. Fasting will allow you to be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem.

9. Fasting provides guidance.

            “…then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday… The Lord will guide you always…” When you do not know which way to turn, fasting will provide direction. As you have time to listen to God’s voice, you will receive the guidance you need.

10. Fasting releases provision.

            “…[The Lord] will satisfy your needs in a sun‑scorched land…” We serve Jehovah Jirah, the God who provides.

11. Fasting gives you strength.

            “…[The Lord] will strengthen your frame…” Fasting initially makes you physically weak, but ultimately you will be stronger, both spiritually and physically.

12. Fasting unlocks spiritual refreshment.

            “…You will be like a well‑watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail…” Fasting help you sink deep roots that allow you to tap into rivers of living water.

13. Fasting leads to restoration of what has been lost and to a new period of building.

            “…Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age‑old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Fasting closes the doorways of the past and releases new vision for the future.

             After creating the world in six days, God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). Fasting is symbolic of this day of rest.      

            In early Christian teachings, believers are told to “fast for those who persecute you” (Didache 1:3). Traditionally, the early church fasted every Wednesday (to remember Christ’s betrayal) and Friday (to remember his crucifixion). Of course, after fasting the church members ate the Lord’s Supper together on Sunday morning to celebrate Christ’s resurrection!

            Tertullian in his book On Fasting which was written during a time when Christians were being persecuted said, “…an over-fed Christian will be more [pleasing] to bears and lions, perchance, than to God…”

            St. Augustine wrote, “When a man imposes on himself the burden of fasting, he shows that he really wants what he is asking for.”

            Martin Luther fasted frequently. Much of his translation of the Bible into German was completed during his times of fasting.

            John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement refused to ordain anyone who did not fast at least two days each week. He believed no one is worthy to rule the body of Christ if he cannot rule his own belly.

            The first settlers in America often declared days of fasting to pray for their crops and animals. In the summer of 1623, the Pilgrim’s crop was failing. They “set apart a solemn day of humiliation to seek the Lord by humble and fervent prayer…And he was pleased to give a gracious and speedy answer, both to their own and the Indian’s admiration.”

            Jonathan Edwards whose preaching sparked the “Great Awakening” is often depicted holding onto his pulpit while preaching his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of Angry God” because his body was weak from much fasting.

            When England declared an embargo on the port of Boston, the Assembly of Virginia passed a resolution calling for a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer on June 1, 1774. According to his diary, George Washington joined in the fast.

            John Adams, the second president of the United States, declared May 9, 1798 a day of fasting for the nation when the country was in danger of going to war with France. He said, “As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depends on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God…and as the United States of America are at present, placed in a hazardous and afflictive situation…under these considerations it has appeared to me that the duty of imploring the mercy and benediction of Heaven on our country, demands, at this time, a special attention from its inhabitants”

            Under the fourth president of the United States, James Madison, the United States was in a war with Great Britain. The Senate and the House of Representatives passed a joint resolution declaring a day of fasting on January 12, 1815.

            Abraham Lincoln declared three days of fasting during the time of the Civil War. He wrote, “…We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God…we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own…It behooves us, then to humble ourselves before the Offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

            Charles Spurgeon writes, “Our seasons of fasting and prayer at the Tabernacle have been high days indeed; never has Heaven’s gate stood wider; never have our hearts been nearer the central Glory.”

Who fasted in the Bible? Why did they fast? Here are some of the reasons people fasted in the Bible.

1. The Eliezer Fast…to Complete a Task (Genesis 24:33)
2. The Moses Fast…to Receive Instructions from God (Exodus 24:28)
3. The Wave Offering Fast…for Giving to God (Leviticus 23:10-14)
4. The Day of Atonement Fast…for Repentance (Leviticus 23:26-32)
5. The Nazirite Fast…to Fulfill a Vow (Numbers 6:3-4)
6. The Hannah Fast…for Answer to Prayer (1 Samuel 1:7)
7. The Samuel Fast…for Confession of Sins (1 Samuel 7:6)
8. The David Fast… to Humble Yourself (Psalm 35:13)
9. The Widow’s Fast…as a Seed Toward Your Future Need (1 Kings 17:15)
10. The Elijah Fast…To Cure Depression and Discouragement (1 Kings 19:8)
11. The Jehoshaphat Fast…for Deliverance From an Enemy (2 Chronicles 20:1‑4)
12. The Esther Fast…for the Salvation of a People (Esther 4:15‑16)
13. The Ezra Fast…for Protection (Ezra 8:21‑23)
14. The Nehemiah Fast…to Prepare for Rebuilding (Nehemiah 1:4)
15. The Isaiah Fast…God’s Chosen Fast (Isaiah 58:6-12)
16. The Jeremiah Fast…to Hear God’s Word (Jeremiah 36:6,9)
17. The Daniel Fast…To Obey God’s Law (Daniel 1:8)
18. The Gabriel Fast…for Spiritual Break-through (Daniel 9:3, 21)
19. The Joel Fast…to turn to God with all your heart (Joel 2:12)
20. The Jonah Fast…for the Repentance of a Nation (Jonah 3:5-9)
21. The Zechariah Fast…during Times of Mourning (Zechariah 3:5-9)
22. The Anna Fast…the Fasted Lifestyle (Luke 2:36-37)
23. The John the Baptist Fast…to Prepare the Way for Jesus (Luke 7:33)
24. The Jesus Fast…for Consecration (Matthew 4:2)
25. The Disciple’s Fast…to Cast Out Demons (Matthew 17:21)
26. The Pharisee Fast…to Impress People rather then God (Luke 18:12)
27. The Wedding Party’s Fast…to Wait for the Bridegroom (Luke 5:34-35)
28. The Saul Fast…for Light in the Midst of Darkness (Acts 9:9)
29. The Cornelius Fast…to Catch God’s Attention (Acts 10:30)
30. The Paul and Barnabas Fast…for Ordination into Ministry (Acts 13:2-3)
31. The Paul Fast…during Times of Hardship (2 Corinthians 6:4‑6)

          Do you want more intimacy with God? Do you desire spiritual breakthrough? Would you like more supernatural power in your life? One key to activating these in your life is a time of fasting and prayer.

            A fast is any length of time when you abstain from eating food. The Hebrew word for fasting is tsom. It literally means “not to eat.” The Greek word for fasting is nesteuo. This word comes from a combination of a prefix of negation ne and the word edo meaning “to eat.” So, the word nesteuo means “to not eat.”

            For example, most of us do not eat in the middle of the night while sleeping. This is why we call the first meal of the day “Break-fast.”  When you eat in the morning, you break your all-night fast.

            But fasting is far more than abstaining from food. It is a spiritual discipline. One pastor said, “Fasting is choosing to set aside something natural in pursuit of something supernatural.” Fasting gives us a continual physical reminder to seek God’s presence. Fasting is a sign that you are so passionate about God that you would deny your physical body in pursuit of greater spiritual intimacy with God.

            Unfortunately, fasting has become a neglected spiritual discipline. In place of corporate fasting, many churches host prayer breakfasts, church picnics, mission’s banquets, and potluck suppers. We could have overwhelming power, instead we are overweight. It seems the only acceptable sin in most Christian circles is gluttony. Rather than balancing the scales of justice, we are breaking the scales in our bathrooms. Why do our knees bend because of weight instead of bending for prayer? Do we rule our stomachs or do our stomachs rule us? Is food a servant or a master?

            Many Christians pay lip service to fasting, but they continue to service their lips with food. Jesus prophesied that in the last days people would be eating and drinking (Matthew 24:38). Is the world’s feasting (instead of fasting) a sign of the end times?

            Fasting was frequently practiced during Bible times, it was practiced by church fathers down through the centuries, and it should be practiced today. There are a number of significant benefits and blessings that come when we spend time in fasting and prayer. Fasting should be restored to its proper place in the arsenal of Christian weapons. In this book, I will show you how to release the power of fasting in your life.