Fasting - Seeking God's Favor
The Elements of Biblical Fasting and Prayer for Pertinent Matters
Daniel, David, Esther, Moses, Jesus, King Saul and a host of other Biblical characters resolved to fast to receive divine intervention/assistance. There are a few types of Biblical fasts.
Why Fast?
When current circumstances become overwhelming and divine intervention is sought after, fasting was and is a method of seeking out favor from God, as this entity is understood within the Old and New Testaments. Some examples of seeking God's special favor are:
- A method of seeking God with sincerity: "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13;
- Protection, Repentance and Blessing: Joel 2:12 to the end of the chapter, Ezra 8:21-23,31;
- Direction and Guidance: Acts 13:1-3;
- Illness/Severe Illness/Grief: 2 Samuel 12:15-19;
- Humility: Psalm 35:13, 1 Kings 21: 25 - 27;
- Communication With God and the Holy Spirit: Exodus 34:28, Acts 13:1-3; and, [1].
- Fighting Evil - Casting Out Demons: "Mark 9:27-29...His disciples asked Him [Jesus] privately, 'Why could we not cast it out?'...So He said to them, 'This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.' (NKJV)."
Prayer Requests and God's Will
Scripture teaches that God only answers prayer according to His will. Therefore, asking something that does not align itself along with God's will, even during fasting, will end up with an unanswered petition.
Fasting Time
Additionally, the length of time varies regarding a fast. Moses (while receiving the Ten Commandments) and Jesus (before his temptations with Satan), ate nothing for 40 days, Exodus 34:38 and Luke 4:2.
Daniel limited his foods for 10 days, Daniel 1:11-14 and for 21 days (" ...did not partake of tasty food..meat or wine.") Daniel 10:3. Evidently, there is not a strict rule of thumb for the time element. [2].
Types of Fasting
According to Scripture, there are a few different styles of fasting:
- Without food, but water is allowed, Matthew 4:1-2, Luke 4:2;
- No food and no water for three days, Esther 4:16, Ezra 10:6, and Acts 9:9 (the apostle Paul); and,
- Some food items are eliminated for the period of the fast, Daniel 1:15,10:2-3. [3].
Purity of Motive
Fasting with the intention of seeking divine favor must be done with purity of motive. The God of the Old and New Testaments will not honor a fast that is vain, contrary to His will or manipulative. Additionally, He will not honor a fast that seeks to obtain favor with mankind, Matthew 6:16. However, fasting for spiritual purposes between oneself and God will be seen by God and honored, Matthew 6:18.
Isaiah Chapter 58:1-5 describes an unacceptable fasting which includes:
- Inappropriate behaviors and attitudes (hurting others),
- Failure to humble oneself before God; and,
- Failure to seek the betterment of others.
This chapter further describes the benefits of God-ordained fasting: "Then you will call, and the Lord will answer, you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'...And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places..." Isaiah 58:8-14.
Caution
The body cannot live beyond three days without fluids. Abstinence from liquids should not be attempted without a trained guide, especially if the petitioner is new to a highly restrictive spiritual fast.
If suffering from an eating disorder, a spiritual fast should be absolutely avoided. Additionally, because of some physical reactions to fasting, such as feeling faint or dizziness, driving and operating machinery should be avoided as well. If the fast is of the more restrictive nature, foods should be introduced slowly as to not upset the system.
Sources
[1,2] New American Standard Bible, Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee 37234, no date of publication, pgs.326, 376, 485, 565, 782, 1095.
[3] Biblical Fasting
www.crossroads.ca, written for a website, no author, no date.
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