Here Are Some Basics on Fasting
Fasting can be:
Complete abstinence of food:
Partial Fast
The purpose of the fast enjoined with prayer is to seek to know God in a deeper experience. God tells us to fast for these reasons:
Isaiah 58:6-9 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk.
In summary God is saying fasting then includes:
God promises he will reward these acts of generous love for others.
I encourage you also to read of Jesus’ healings, for example:
Mark 1:30-31 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Matthew 8:2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
Jesus healed all who came to him. Let’s have faith Jesus is willing to heal Arvo as we bring Arvo to him in prayer.
Complete abstinence of food:
- Luke 4:2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
- Acts 9:9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
- Esther 4:16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
Partial Fast
- Daniel 10:3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
- You determine to not eat certain foods that you normally enjoy each day.
The purpose of the fast enjoined with prayer is to seek to know God in a deeper experience. God tells us to fast for these reasons:
Isaiah 58:6-9 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk.
In summary God is saying fasting then includes:
- To be humble before God and confess your sins.
- To forgive.
- To provide food for others – some suggest donating to a food pantry.
- To give shelter to someone.
- To clothe those in need.
God promises he will reward these acts of generous love for others.
I encourage you also to read of Jesus’ healings, for example:
Mark 1:30-31 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Matthew 8:2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
Jesus healed all who came to him. Let’s have faith Jesus is willing to heal Arvo as we bring Arvo to him in prayer.