Fasting
A theme kept popping up during my daily devotions. This time it was the “Daniel Fast.” What is the ‘Daniel Fast?’ Why was it trending in my social media? Before exploring this particular fast, I researched the Biblical purpose for fasting.
“Even now,” declares the Lord,
Joel 2:12-13 (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Fasting Trends
To fast means to go without, to abstain from something. There are weight-loss fasting trends, such as intermittent fasting or time-restricted fasting. Some fasts are designed for mental reset, such as a social media fast. Some are medically required for lab work or pre-surgery prep. But what does God say about fasting?
Fasting Defined by Scripture
In the Bible, a fast pertained specifically to not eating or drinking something. Unless otherwise directed, a fast lasted from sunrise to sunset. The purpose of this self-denial was to humble oneself to be nearer to God.
But simply not eating is not Godly fasting. Joel 2:12-13 shows that God wants more from me when I fast. To humble myself before God during my fast requires me to:
- offer whole heart.
- rip open my heart to Him—an inward sign of my belief, trust, reliance, and faith in Him.
- focus on the characteristics of God.
This humbling allows me to petition the Lord with urgency.
Why Fast
In the Scriptures, there are numerous reasons for cultivating that deeper relationship through fasting.
| To seek favor | The prophet Ezra led the second group of returning exiles in a fast, seeking a safe river crossing. (Ezra 8:21) |
| To express despair | When King Xerxes yielded to Haman’s desire to exterminate the Jews, the Jews fasted, despairing of their impending demise. (Esther 4:3) |
| To receive support | Esther decreed that all the Jews fast as she prepared to petition King Xerxes, supporting her as she undertook a risky task. (Esther 4:16) |
| To confess sin | The prophet Samuel led the Israelites in a fast, confessing their idolatry and backsliding. (1 Samuel 7:6) |
| To express grief | David and the men with him in battle fasted, mourning the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan. (2 Samuel 1:12) |
| To humble self | David fasted as he sought relief from persecution. (Psalm 69:10) |
| To intercede for others | David fasted for those who were sick even though they had ridiculed him. (Psalm 35:13) |
Types of Fasts
Communal or Individual: A fast can be communal or individual. A communal fast includes a community united on one purposeful accord. The examples from Ezra and Esther above are communal fasts. An individual fast involves God and one person. Moses on Mount Sinai and Jesus in the wilderness had a 40-day fast.
Absolute or Partial: An absolute fast requires abstention from all food and drink. A partial fast can either restrict the times of eating, such as no food until sundown or abstention from certain foods, such as royal foods[1].
How NOT to Fast
Isaiah 58 warns that if I am fasting to show God that I am righteous, God is not fooled. If I fast and humble myself before God, seeking His intervention, yet I still do evil in God’s eye, my fasting was for naught. My fasting should bring me to a state of mercy towards others. Of sharing. Of compassion. Of justice. Of love.
Fasting should not be an outward demonstration to others of my righteousness. Both Joel and Jesus (in the Sermon on the Mount[2]) exhort that my fast should not be a public display. Even during my period of abstaining, my demeanor should not betray that. Jesus tells me that during my fast I should look as hearty and hale as if I were not fasting.
Know Your Why
Fasting to seek God is a humbling experience. You are denying yourself sustenance, and if eating is a joy, fasting is hard. So, if you are not eating, what are you doing? You focus on your why—your purpose for fasting. You are spending time with God. Seeking answers. Rending your heart and soul. Relinquishing burdens. Confessing your sins. Worshipping and praising. You are in fervent prayer with God.
Reflection
Are you considering a fast? Have you determined your why? Moreover, are you willing to institute a God-inspired change once the fast is over?
[1] Daniel 1:8
[2] Matthew 16:16-18
Let’s Discuss
What type of fast did Jesus partake in when He spent 40 days in the wilderness after His baptism (Matthew 4:1-11)? Choose either ABSOLUTE or PARTIAL.
This question is now closed. Read the comments for an explanation of this choice.
God bless you! This is wonderful. I will be back to see the next installment.
Thank you
I so enjoyed this. It’s very timely. Our church is about to begin a 40 day fast that begins on January 20 and ends on February 28. It’s simply called SEEK.
Thanks Lynda.
For those who want to learn more about SEEK, visit this URL: https://seek.alfredstreet.org/. This link is provided for information only; it is not an endorsement.
Thank you for all of the different ways and the different meanings to fast. I appreciate this too help me to understand and realize the importance of fasting and giving it all to Him and to get closer to Him. Thank You for the help that I need to learn.
I am humbled that you found usefulness in this post. Thank you for reading and commenting.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED. 100% of the voters chose ABSOLUTE. An absolute fast means Jesus went without food and water for 40 days. I too thought it was an absolute fast until I read Bible commentaries which gave me a different perspective. Let’s look at the Scripture. Matthew 4:2 says Jesus was hungry. Some Bible versions say that He “went without food,” “went without eating,” or “was famished.” No versions state that He went without water or was thirsty. Further, look at Matthew 4:3. Here the Devil (Satan, the Tempter) goads Jesus with a way to ease His hunger. Never does he tempt Jesus with a means to quench thirst. Because the Scriptures only indicate that Jesus went without food, I propose that Jesus’ fast was partial.
Thanks Sabrina, I throughly enjoyed the readings and was so excited I read deeper into it. Luke 4:2, stated “he did eat nothing” and when his 40 days ended, he afterwards hungered. I’m waiting to discuss because you are doing a marvelous job. May God continue to bless you.
Yes, all of the Synoptic Gospels talk about Jesus’ time in the wilderness, but only Matthew and Luke provide details about what occurred during that time. As you mention Janet, both Matthew and Luke state that he ATE nothing during that time.