I hope you are building up your expectations for our time of prayer and fasting, January 11th- 14th, 6pm nightly. 

In preparation to our time of prayer and fasting, here are some options that may help you decide how you will engage in this time of corporate prayer and fasting we are doing as a Church. 

Interestingly enough, in the New Testament, there is no required length of time to fast or frequency of fasting. But we are expected to fast, for Jesus said when not if! So this leaves a lot of liberty around fasting. I list below some different ways to fast. Please keep in mind, what matters is what you DO when you fast. 

Three types of Fasts in the Bible

  • The Absolute Fast – No Food, No Water.
    • There are four instances of this type of fast.
      • Esther and the Jews facing execution at the hand of Haman. – Esther 4:16
      • Moses on Mount Sinai when receiving the Law. – Exodus 34:28
      • Ezra for the remainder of a day when seeing how the priests and leaders had allowed Israel to forsake the Law during his absence. – Ezra 10:6
      • Paul after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and is confronted with the fact that in his zeal he has been fighting against God. – Acts 9:9 
    • I don’t suggest this type of fast and have never done it! Neither did Jesus, so think about that. 
  • The Normal Fast – No Food. 
    • In Scripture, this is the most commonly occurring fast.
    • It’s what Jesus did for 40 days as described in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. 
    • This is the type of fast the Nation of Israel engaged in on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29) and the the Prophet Isaiah speaks of in Isaiah 58. 
    • This is the fast I have done many, many times. You can too!
  • The Partial Fast – Certain foods. 
    • This is the type of fast Daniel did in the later part of his life as described in Daniel 10:3 
    • Concerning this type of fast, I think it’s important to remember a few key points:
      • It’s the only one of it’s kind in the entire Bible. 
      • Daniel did not set out to pray and fast for 21 days – the answer to his prayer and fasting came on the 21st day. Daniel was entering into this time of prayer and fasting with the intentions of not breaking it until he got understanding, revelation, and an answer -21 days or 21 years. 
      • Daniel was in the later stages of his life, probably mid-80s. 
    • I usually do not suggest this type of fast. Oftentimes, people become more consume with meal planning and recipes of what they can eat than spending more time in prayer and the Word! Which is the entire point of fasting. 

Having listed the types of fasts that we see in the Bible, here are some suggestions of ways you can pray and fast!

  1. Normal Fast a meal.
  2. Normal Fast for one or more days. 
  3. Normal Fast from 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. (After 6 p.m. eat as normal.)

Again, there is much liberty around this spiritual discipline of fasting. What is most important is that YOU make the decision, stick to it, and give the Lord something to bless! 

Please remember, if you’re pregnant, nursing, under 18, over 70, or sick you are “exempt” from fasting. As mentioned previously, I borrowed these guidelines. The first two are obvious. But as far as age, again it is up to you. You know your current state of health and walk with God – I don’t.

And of course everyone is expected to pray! Please attend the services regardless of how or when you’re fasting, to join us for church-wide prayer!

God Bless!

Pastor A.J.