Is Fasting necessary today?
October 22nd, 2009 by Shyju MathewFasting was a very common practice in the Old Testament and of course, our Lord Jesus did the same. But for some reason, it is not much encouraged today and people seem to be very surprised with this subject of fasting. Often, I will come across someone who will raise their eyebrows on this subject of fasting and ask questions like, “So you don’t eat food at all? Like, at all?”
What does Jesus say about fasting?
Once the disciples of John came to Jesus and asked him this question, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus replied to them in Mark 2: 19, 20 ‘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 away from them, and on that day they will fast.’ I believe that now is the time when the children of God, the bride that is the body of Christ must fast from time to time, denying the desires of the flesh. Read on to see what fasting accomplishes.
Fasting comes from humility in God’s presence: In the life of Ezra, we read in Chapter 8: 21 “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.” Fasting, throughout the Bible, is a time when you humble yourselves before God. Do not mistake fasting to be a hunger strike with God. Fasting is not to twist the hands of God to bless you.
Fasting comes from true repentance to God: Throughout the Bible, you will see that God had mercy on those who repented and fasted before God. Read Deuteronomy 9: 18, 19 to see the effects fasting had in the life of Moses. “Then once again I fell prostrate before the LORD for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the LORD’s sight and so provoking him to anger. I feared the anger and wrath of the LORD, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you. But again the LORD listened to me.”
Fasting is a part of intercession: When the enemy planned to wipe off the Jews, it was Mordecai and Esther who joined hands to fast and intercede for their nation and God heard their cry. (Esther 4) When Nehemiah heard about Jerusalem’s walls broken down, the Bible says in Nehemiah 1:4 “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” We see the life of Daniel, 9: 3 “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” And the life of the disciples in Acts 14: 23 “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”
Fasting makes you spiritually sensitive to God: When we fast, away from the carnal desires of the flesh and the world, we become more sensitive to the spiritual things of God. It especially makes you more sensitive to the voice of God. It was while they worshipped God with fasting, that the Holy Spirit gave directions, read Acts 13: 2, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 10: 30 records how Corenlius was directed to call Peter to learn the truth God has stored for him.
So in simple words, Biblical fasting is refraining from food for a certain number of days which helps your spirit to break away from the cluttered things of this world and become amazingly sensitive to the things of God.
Is there a particular duration? Moses fasted 40 days when he received God’s law (Deut. 9:9). Joshua and the elders of Israel fasted for about 12 hours after Israel’s armies were defeated at Ai (Josh. 7:6). Esther fasted for 3 days without food or water. (Esther 4) The apostle Paul fasted 14 days while he was in peril (Acts 27:33-36). Jesus fasted, too – for 40 days before beginning His ministry (Matt. 4:2)
There is no real formula, but find out what the Spirit of the Lord wants you to do and make sure you are led by the Lord. If you are fasting, make sure you spend time in the presence of God and not running around with other work. “Fasting without prayer is called starving.” Make sure you combine your fasting with prayer and the Word
Kinds of Fasting
Esther Fast: When no food and water is taken. Strongly recommend you to hear from God before you try this. Speak to your church elders or leader and take proper guidance before you start.
Normal Fast: This is the kind of fast when you don’t eat any solid foods for a number of days. You do drink water and plenty of it. Depending on how God leads you, you may also choose to drink fresh juices.
Partial Fast: When you are fasting yet eat one or two meal as the Lord leads you to do.
Daniel Fast: In Daniel 1: 11-14, Daniel and his companions fasted from meat and ate vegetables only and drank water for 10days. People today use this to fast form of fasting to fast from something they are addicted to. E.g.: Meats, TV, Facebook, Mobile etc.
Make sure you drink a lot of water during these fasts, except the Esther fast. It is normal to feel sluggish or awake and hungry. I’ve heard some people state that when they fast, the devil gives them a bad headache. It is more likely that it’s simply their body getting rid of the toxins that have built over a period of time.
At times, you might feel as if you’re too weak to even pray. Don’t end up condemning yourself but just try and rest in God. Before long, you will see yourself being more sensitive to what God is doing. We have just one life and let’s give that to the Lord. In the scope of eternity with him what is one life to give up to Him.
I’d like to know: Have you fasted before? How does it work for you?
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Yes I have fasted & the long I have fasted was for 21days.. those were the days I really felt intimate with God than ever before bcoz I was sensitive to His presence.Fasting is necessary for every christian.
This blog will definitely help many!
Very helpful… thank you so much….
Yes I have fasted before for three days, one week,I have quit my breakfast and lunch drinking liquid and being in prayer with God the thing i fasted for i am seeing slowly working in my family i fasted for there salvation as they are still beleiving in hindu relegion. but i beleive as God work in my life he will work in my families life. Glory to God
Hi this is really a good introduction to fasting. People can also listen to Benny hinn’s message on Fasting on a broader note……Trust this helps….
PRAISE THE LORD!!!thank you for the message..I also have the same view point about fasting n am sure that fasting makes us more closer to god but for people who r not into this serious business,who dont understand the value of fasting,I wont recommend this,as without prayers n word they can be easy prey for satan too….FASTING IS NESECCARY FOR TODAYS BELEIVER.FAST IN TRUTH AND SPIRIT N SEE D DIFFERENCE IN SPIRITUAL LIFE!!
Yes , Fasting is a must today. A lot of people dont know the benefit of it . Is a very good habib to Fasting 1 make us more alert towards God 2 Make Us healthy.
hi bro,
very timely mesage. we just had our one day fasting prayer yesterday (22/10/2009) coz we pray for nations every month. our leader spoke about fasting as you have spoken. we thought abt Mathew 6:16 Jesus says “when you fast” it is shown that as christians it is must to fast. we did have a 14 day fast in our church before this and now my friend and i want to go on a 40 days fast with water & drinks. before we start we need to pray about it. fasting is a wounderful experience and i enjoy fasting. God Bless You
Glory to God!!! Day before yesterday something in my spirit urged me to do fasting for 21 days like Daniel and I have started it from yesterday October 22 and its really amazing to see ur blog about fasting on that day itself…Glory to God….Jentzen Franklin, a mighty man of God has written about some great things about fasting, how to fast and stuff like that….http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/….your blog about fasting is really good and its a blessing for me…God Bless U Abudantly!!!
Very useful… yes i had taken a 21day
Normal fasting. Awesome time… dedicate it to God and He honors it! this is what i’ve seen! My dad and i had a discussion last wk about this and the next day he did…
It is like a festival! it Gives u great strength from within…!
And this message was just in time for my next…
Thanks for carrying the message Shyju!
Yes Fasting is very much necessary today, I ahve fasted for 40 days and had an intimate time with my Lord, Enjoying Him more and more daily
I’ve fasted a meal or two… but never fast a day or any such thing… always wanted to but never got the chance or the permission…
Glory to God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the most important in fasting is to know its purpose and motive, if we do it in a wrong way, then we mis use it, i really thank you that you specify in detail and verify in categories,so that we can understand well about fasting and do it the right way and of coz, with God guidience, thank you so much for your time, it really mean to me…..
hi,i’m a single parent with 2 sons and my life is like a roller coaster ride ever since my marriage failed.my children are going the wrong directions in life.i was worried sick with my boys lives.then i decided to fast today for my business to grow.through out morning as i was worshiping n telling d lord how tired n spiritually dried i am,i felt a new strenght flowing thru me.i realize after reading your article we shouldnt fast for the wrong intentions.keep up d good work,your labour is not in vain.
Wow..Its amazing..As i am ending my fast these few days.It was mind boggling to read this revelation given To Shyju mathew.
wow..its was wonderful as it spoke direct to me as i m on a Fast.
Its short, upto the point and beautiful. everything thts written is so true and i personely experienced it whnever i do fasting.GOD bless you dear Bro with more revelations from above.
Dearest Shyju;
This blog has blessed me tremendously. I forwarded this blog to a co-worker of mine who struggles in her fast life. Her relationship with God has now been restored and the intimacy with God that she use to have, has been reinstated. Thank you for letting God use you. Love you loads and continually praying for you and all of your endeavors for the glory of Jesus. Shalom!
Just want to clarify with u,should we fast 40 days before easter ????? Because some says we mustn’t fast instead we must celebrate it because jesus suffered on the cross to wash away our sins….So,i’m quite confused….Thanks…..
As a baby christian, i fasted once for only 1 meal, lunch particularly.. I really prayed hard to the Lord, and He revealed his will to me.. Thanks for sharing, it empowers me to fast, they way we should fast..