God’s Love in Fasting: Biblical Fasting Practices

Introduction

We are all familiar with the word fasting, right? Maybe you recognize that the word breakfast comes from stopping the overnight fast we do in our sleep. Perhaps, you have fasted for a medical or physical reason. Some of us have even fasted as part of a diet. But what if I told you that Biblical fasting can radically change your life?

What Are Sin Strongholds?

• Sin struggles or strongholds are negative patterns that are repeated or recurring in your life.
• They can be caused by incorrect thinking, past trauma, or lies you believe.
• Sin strongholds may also be generational. New studies in Epigenetics (Behaviors passed down through DNA) confirms Biblical wisdom. Many verses discuss the “sins of their fathers” and things passed down to the nth generation.

Types of Biblical Fasting

• Intermittent fasting: alternating periods of eating and fasting
• Extended fasting (24+ hours) (Exodus 34:28, Luke 4)
• Partial fasting (restricting certain foods like sugar or processed foods) Daniel 10:3
• Dopamine fasting (abstaining from stimulating activities like social media)
• Dry fasting: A period of time with no food or water (Esther 4:16)

What the Bible Teaches About Fasting

Fasting, like other spiritual disciplines or soul exercises are talked about extensively in the Bible. Jesus didn’t say if you fast, but when you fast. Matthew 6:16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.” There are countless stories in the Bible that include fasting. Daniel fasted several times, including a 3 week period as he grieved a vision he received. Ezra fasted as he begged the Lord to protect him from his enemies. Several times in Acts the early church modeled a lifestyle of prayer and fasting as they sought wisdom from God.

Esther implored others to fast with her on behalf of her conversations with the King. She asked them to not eat or drink for three days, night or day. This was to prepare her heart as she begged the King to save the Jews from persecution. King David and his household mourned and wept and fasted for Saul and Jonathan after their death. There are many examples of fasting to learn from, so let’s take a look at why people should fast.

Knowing the Why Behind Fasting

I believe it is very important to know your why. You should do things with a purpose and not just blindly scuttle about in the dark. The first time I fasted, it was in preparation for a journey across the world. But that isn’t always the reason I fast. Biblical fasting includes:

• Your soul’s response to grief, mourning, or sadness (2 Samuel 1:12)
• Preparing for a next step of obedience in the Lord (Esther 4:16)
• Drawing nearer to our Lord through self-denial (Joel 2:12-13)
• Repentance for sin (Daniel 9:3-5)
• Seeking divine wisdom (Acts 14:23)
• Asking the Lord for protection, provision, or favor (Ezra 8:23)
• Consecration as you enter ministry (Luke 4:1-13)

What Biblical Fasting Is Not

Fasting is a soul’s response to a divine encounter. It is not a method to attain greatness or riches. Fasting is not a get-skinny-quick scheme. While some people use fasting as a method of weight loss or control, Biblical fasting is not for that purpose. Biblical fasting should have the right heart behind it. Do you want to seek the face of God? Do you desire to have an intimate encounter with the Lord? Are you so sorry for the sin you continue to commit, that you must repent? Furthermore, would you like to learn how to replace fleshly desires with the Lord’s provision? In other words, are you looking to show God that He is the only Lord of your life? Then Fasting may be for you.

What You Can Expect When Biblical Fasting

The most amazing and wonderful benefit from fasting is a deepened connection with the Lord. When you turn to Jesus through prayer instead of food, He comforts you like only He can. I have heard the Lord speak my name in the moments when I am most hungry and irritable. He speaks to me in my inner-most being, and offers me comfort while imparting wisdom.

Sometimes God will place on your heart that you need to fast to repent. I discuss this in greater detail in another post. However, I have grown in self-control through fasting. I once did a 3 day fast to repent from a common lie that many believe. “I deserve things because I work hard, and I try hard, and I do this and that.” In my head, it was a way to justify sinful behavior. As I cried out to the Lord in my hunger, he taught me that I don’t deserve anything. And thank God that He doesn’t give us what we deserve!

Fasting will break you free from sin patterns, change your thinking, and destroy lies from the enemy. After two years of living a fasted life, I am no longer a slave to the physical addiction of pornography. I am able to have a deep intimacy with my Lord, my wife, and my family like never before. Fasting has helped me encourage others, pray big prayers, and make radical life changes.

Other times, you’ll get absolutely nothing from a fast. It doesn’t always mean that you did something wrong, or had an impure motive. Sometimes you just fast and it was okay, but there wasn’t any spiritual breakthrough. That’s okay. You have to realize that not everything we do is going to yield earth-shattering results.

Fasting Is Hard

Fasting is difficult, that’s why many people today have fallen away from the early-church practice. When you set out to begin to live a “fasted” life, just know you’re going to need a lot of grace. Definitely a lot of grace from your family and friends because you’re probably going to be a cranky jerk. You also need to give yourself a lot of grace. You may accidentally eat too early. Sometimes, you will intentionally eat too early because you’ll lose heart. Either way, it’s okay. Our God will forgive you if you ask. I have found that in those cases, I just shift a little. Maybe I say to God “I’m sorry I didn’t keep my intention today. Tomorrow I’ll try again.” Either way, don’t beat yourself up – no one is perfect!

Don’t be too hard, but also, don’t be so quick to give up. You can do so much more than you think you can. A lot of fasting is learning to understand what your body’s limits are vs. what God can do in and through you. We tend to think too little of our physical capabilities and tell God that He surely can’t sustain us for that long. Don’t be too quick to give up on what God want’s to transform in you. He might surprise you if you let him.

Final Thoughts

Breaking the chains of emotional, spiritual, and mental bondage is a power the Lord has. He will change in you the things that are no good if you let him. Sometimes, you have to let Him know you’re serious – fasting can help. Other times, you need to let Him tear down layers of roadblocks standing in your way. Jesus is the ultimate lover, protector, provider, and friend. Fasting will bring you into a whole new level of experiencing the power and wonder of Jesus. I also recommend keeping a journal handy to write down things the Lord teaches you along the way. It can be really powerful to go back through and read old entries and see the way that God moved in your life.

My Fasting Stories:

• God’s Love in Fasting: How God Broke My Addiction
• God’s Love in Fasting: Corporate Prayer and Fasting
• 40 Days of Fasting: How God Prepared Me for Ministry