Fasting and Discernment
by the Rev. Sue Hardman, HealingWay Ministries
The biblical norm is that you can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast without praying. Jesus said to his disciples, "when you fast . . . " (Matthew 6:17). When not if. Jesus expected that his disciples would fast. He expected that they would deny their cravings and reliance on earthly sustenance, and depend on God for their nourish-ment.
In the Bible, fasting is usually referred to as deliberately abstaining from food. In the tradition of the church, fasting may take the form of any type of self-denial of unnecessary foods, entertainment, or other forms of self-indulgence. Andrew Mur-ray says, "Fasting helps to express, to deepen and to confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, to sacrifice ourselves, to attain what we seek for the Kingdom of God."
In order to move closer to God we must give up our own desires and seek the will of God. Pride keeps us from letting go of what we think is good and right. Fast-ing disciplines the body while God humbles the soul. The humbled soul is one that recognizes its sinful self and repents and turns to the Lord.
When the king of Nineveh heard Jonah's prophetic warning, he issued a proclamation to fast and repent: "Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink . . . Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways" (Jonah 3:7-8). God's response: "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threat-ened" (3:10). When God sees people truly humbling themselves, seeking God's mercy, and conforming themselves to God's will, then God may have compassion on them and forego righteous punishment.
Fasting is not meant to force the hand of God; in no way does fasting manipulate God. Rather, as Isaiah chapter 58 makes clear, fasting or self-humiliation in and of itself is meaningless without also pursuing God's will.
Guidelines for fasting from food
- If you have any medical issues (e.g., diabetes, pregnancy, fatigue, etc.), consult your physician before embarking on a fast of any length.
- Do not enter any long-term fast without first consulting a physician.
- Start slow. Fast from one meal. spending the meal time in prayer. Then, if so moved, extend to a longer period without food.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Before starting a fast, answer these questions: Is the Lord calling me to fast at this time? What are the objectives of the fast? Is this fast for the Lord and his glory?
- When beginning or coming off an extended fast, consult your physician.
- Aids for deciding whether and how long to fast
- Ask God to lead you.
- Pray with others.
- Read Scripture.
- Invite a friend to be your prayer partner in your fast.
- Commit to a length of time.
- Journal about what is happening to you, both physically and spiritually; also write down what the Lord is saying to you or your larger group.
Examples of biblical fasts
- 1 night (Daniel 6:18)
- 1 day (1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Sam 1:12, 3:35; Judges 20:26)
- 3 days & nights (Esther 4:16; Acts 9:17-19)
- 7 days (1 Sam 31:13; 2 Sam 12:16-23)
- 14 days (Acts 27:33-34)
- 21 days (Daniel 10:3-13)
- 40 days (Exodus 24:18, 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8; Matthew 4:2/Mark 1:3/Luke 4:2)