Beyond Hunger: 4 Tips for a Meaningful and Proper Biblical Fast

Fasting is a biblical principle which involves abstaining from food for a specific period of time. So, how do you do a proper biblical fast?

While postponing activities like social media; cutting out sugar; taking a break from movies, etc. are noble acts, they can be thought more of being acts of consecration to accompany biblical fasting.

In Matthew 4, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, went on a 40-day fast by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Later on in Matthew 6, Jesus gave us instructions on how to do proper biblical fast privately. It was a matter of when you fast, not if you fast.

The reason for fasting varies. We see in scriptures that:

• Esther called a corporate fast in hopes of receiving favour from the king on behalf of her people. Neither were they to eat nor to drink for three days.

• Then, in Jonah 3:5-9, the king called for a public fast where even the animals were not permitted to eat or drink as an act of repentance and asking for God’s mercy upon them.

• Fasting can be done also to receive breakthroughs in stubborn areas in your life. Matthew 17: 21 clearly says that certain obstacles/kind won’t be moved except by prayer and fasting. 

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. – Esther 4:15-17 (ESV)

And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” – Jonah 3:5-9 (ESV)

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” – Matthew 17:21 (KJV)

Perhaps the reason you may be considering a fast is to receive a breakthrough to get married; to improve your finances; to strengthen your walk with God; or to fast on someone else’s behalf. Regardless of the reason, these tips can surely help.

Here are 4 Tips to Doing a Proper Biblical Fast:

1) Pray to God for the strength to endure.

Listen carefully. Fasting is NOT for the weak.🤣 Your flesh will indeed cry out for food because it is used to eating. You may even experience a great deal of discomfort. Don’t worry though. Your flesh is simply dying and coming into subjection to the Word of God. Your flesh will become weak, but your spirit-(wo)man will become strong in the Lord. Therefore, it is important to pray and ask God that while you participate in this act of obedience, He gives you the strength and sustenance to finish well. You can surely do a proper biblical fast!

While fasting, you may experience:

• Headaches/dizziness
• Bad breath
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Body odours

In addition to the multitude of spiritual benefits to fasting, scientists also encourage fasting a few days of the week to aid your body with natural resetting procedures that cannot take place while actively eating.

2) Solidify your reason(s).

I went on several fasts while I was single. It was a tool I utilized to assist me in the preparation for my husband to whom I am now married.  I would clearly fast for this reason to ensure I was as ready as possible. I solidified my relationship with God first, then worked on myself. Then, I began to pray for my future husband without even knowing or meeting him.

So, it is very important to know the reasons you are fasting in the first place. Consider your motives and present your requests to the Lord. 

3) Determine the length of the fast.

While you pray, ask God for how long you should fast. I’ll put some suggestions below, but for now, knowing how long you will go without food is crucial. That’s why you must be inclined to the voice of God. Some people can go for a longer time while others cannot. Needless to say that you should not compete nor compare yourself to others. Rather, hear the specific instructions God is saying to you in your quiet time.

If you are fasting with a group, it would mean you came into agreement with the stipulations of that fast for a corporate benefit. Otherwise, talk with God about what to do for your private time of submission. You can even fast for a number of hours out of the day or a full 24 hours.

Suggested fasting times:

• 6:00am-6:00pm
• 12:00pm-3:00pm
• 1 day
• 3 days
• 7 days
• 10 days
• 14 days
• 21 days, etc.

4) Select your meal time.

Woah! Woah! Woah! Do not get too excited. LOL ^_^ 

In order for fasting to be truly effective, you must be reading the Word of God. If not, you would just be voluntarily starving yourself. I boldly say that every single issue you are facing has a truth to counter it in scripture. These scriptures are what you will be “eating” during the times when you would normally be having physical food.

For example, if you would regularly have breakfast at 7:00am and you’re fasting to get closer to God, then a scripture like Matthew 6:11 is perfect. During the Lord’s prayer that Jesus outlined, He asked for daily bread. John 4:10-14 describes Jesus as “living water”. To me, those scriptures are perfect because you won’t be eating nor drinking, but the very Word of God points to the Messiah as food and drink. 

Summary

In the end, proper biblical fasting is a principle that believers in Jesus Christ should partake in regularly. It is an honourable act to God which He absolutely rewards. Even if we don’t see those very rewards in this life, we will surely see them in the next. 

To recap,

Here are 4 tips to doing a proper biblical fast.

1. Pray to God for the strength to endure.
2. Solidify your reason(s).
3. Determine the length of the fast.
4. Select your meal time.

Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

Richest blessings,

Monique Glasgow

Other Helpful Resources:

How to Steadily Grow in Your Relationship With God

How to Build a Better Quiet Time: 4 Tools to Help You Focus 

How to Spend Time with God Every Day AND Enjoy It!

Recommended Books:

“How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth” by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart

“The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: An easy-to-use one-volume library for Bible study and lesson preparation” by Thomas Nelson

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