Why Fast?
(continued)

Has the Holy Spirit Called You?

Fasting should be a response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and a desire for obedience. It is not to be practiced as a current fad and certainly not to please others or to meet a goal. It will most likely come because the Holy Spirit has shown you a specific need that calls for intense, focused and uninterrupted praying on your part.

What is Your Physical Condition?

There are some people who should not fast (diabetics and those with other problems, as advised by a physician). But a healthy person of any age should be able to fast. What we call “hunger” is really appetite. The healthy body can withstand long periods without solid food; however, liquids — water and juices — should be available. There are books, such as Dr. Brights’s The Coming Revival, that contain information on the physical aspects of fasting.

What Kind of Fast Should You Do?

There is no better time than now, both personally and corporately as a church, to fast on a regular basis. If you have never fasted, below are several options that you can consider. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to a decision as to which fast might be best for you to practice.

Option 1 — You can choose to fast (abstain from solid food but drink fruit or vegetable juices as well as water) for one day. This could mean you would eat dinner one day, then not eat solid food again until dinner the next day. You would be missing two meals. You could also fast from lunch one day until lunch the next day.

Option 2 — You can choose to do a 24-hour fast. This usually does involve some hunger pains or discomfort before the time is up, but the spiritual benefits can be wonderful.

Option 3 — Another option is a three-day fast. A three-day fast is an acceptable way for a Christian to demonstrate the seriousness of purpose and depth of commitment that responds to a serious challenge.

Option 4 — Longer fasts of a week, two weeks, a month or 40 days have proven to lift the participant to a very high level of spiritual awareness and responsiveness to God. The longer fasts should generally be undertaken only by those who have first engaged in shorter periods of fasting and have learned how their bodies react to the process of fasting.

Option 5 — Consider a “hindrance fast” of the distractions of the world. Following Hebrews 12:1-2, which states we should lay aside that which so easily ensnares us, you may want to pick several activities to abstain from, and use that time to seek God. Even good activities can distract us from the best. You can consider a time away from television, leisure reading, sports, shopping, computers or anything else you find taking up time in your schedule, and use that time in prayer.

If this is your first time to fast, or it has been some time since you last fasted, you are encouraged to start with a shorter time period of fasting. This will give your body an opportunity to adjust to the experience of a fast. Also, if you have never fasted and attempt a twoor three-day fast and fail to go the whole time without food, you may feel depressed and discouraged from attempting another fast. What is important is your motive and dedication to the fast, not how long you fast. Begin with a shorter time period of fasting, then, as you become more experienced, you can increase the number of days of your fast.

What Should You Do On the Day You Fast?

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a said countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father…” —Matthew 6:16-18

On the day you fast, you should put yourself on a schedule that will allow you to receive the maximum spiritual benefit. Set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be. A suggested schedule for your day of fasting could be as follows:

Morning

Begin your day in prayer and fasting.

Read and meditate on God’s Word, preferably on your knees.

Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you and to do His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your family, your church, your work, your community and beyond.

Pray for His vision for your life, for our church and for empowerment to do His will.

Spend the morning outwardly performing the regular duties of your day. Inwardly, you will be in prayer and adoration, song and worship. Cause every task to be done as “unto the Lord,” as beautiful service and ministry to Him.

Noon

Return to prayer and God’s Word.

Take a short prayer walk.

Spend time in intercessory prayer for our church, our city, our nation and our world. Pray for the leaders of our nation, our Pastor and our staff. Pray for the lost, for the Gospel to go forth in every nation. Pray for your family and any special needs.

Evening

Seek a quite place alone with the Lord.

If others in your Bible Fellowship class are fasting, you may want to meet together for a time of prayer.

Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus.

Another good suggestion:

When possible, begin and end each day on your knees with your spouse for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to God. Longer periods of time with our Lord in prayer and Bible study are better spent alone.

Can You Confuse Fasting and Dieting?

Fasting is not dieting. Though you will experience some physical benefits from fasting, the focus of the fast is on God and not on any benefits that may be derived from the fast. In fact, if our fast is not unto the Lord, then it has failed. The center of the fast must be God. If anything replaces God as the center of the fast, then we have missed the purpose. Our focus and our attention during a fast must be fixed on God. That is the only way we will be saved from seeking and loving the blessing more than the One who blesses.

What Are the Results of Fasting?

Fasting allows us to experience God through a more intense and productive prayer life. This is true of the individual and the church. The fast will have no purpose if it is seen as only an interlude in an otherwise worldly-centered lifestyle. It must be a step toward a deeper commitment to know God and His will for our lives.

Fasting results in our being more attentive to God and the things of God.

Fasting results in our being more aware of our inadequacies and His adequacy.

Fasting results in believers being changed in ways so they are empowered to change the world!

Fasting results in God moving powerfully in our lives and in the church in ways that allow Him to show Himself to this generation.

Fasting brings results. When believers fasted in the Bible, things happened. For example:

The fast released people from the bondage of sin and addiction. (Matthew 17:21)

The fast answered problems and gave godly wisdom and direction. (Ezra 8:21-23)

The fast broke negative mental and emotional habits. (1 Kings 19)

The fast brought about healing and wholeness. (Daniel 1:1-21)

The fast can expand and increase our witness and testimony for Christ. (Isaiah 58:6,8; Matthew 5:14-16)

The fast can provide unusual power and protection from the evil one. (Esther 4:16)

The fast brought revival for the saved and salvation for the unsaved. (1 Samuel 7:2-11)

Fasting will result in God doing something supernatural in our lives. God will also do something supernatural in the lives of others, in the life of our church and in our world. Fasting will allow the Spirit of God to take us from our present state of spiritual awareness and responsiveness and lift us to a higher level. Only then can He do with us, in us and through us what He desires to do.