Fasting for a reason
What is fasting?
going without food and/or drink for a predetermined amount of time
The Bible has 2 types of fasts, generally lasted from morning to evening.
Normal – No food
Absolute – No food & drink (max 3 day)
Why did people in the Bible Fast?
Repentance - Jonah 3:4-9 – Absolute fast
This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
Grieving
- 2 Samuel 1:12 – 1 day fast
They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan…
Danger
- Esther 4:16 – Absolute fast for 3 days
“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 attendants 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.”
Worship
- Luke 2:37
She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
Direction
- Acts 13:2-3
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.”
Preparation
- Matthew 4:1-2
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Fasting is a serious response to a serious need for God
When I fast I'm saying that I need God more than I need food
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Bible Study
Read
Look up the above scriptures and read them in context.
Reflect
What experience have you had with fasting?
What words or phrases stand out to you?
What is something new to you from the text?
Respond
What is the reason you would fast?