Biblical Answer

#4 Fasting

Fasting is one of the most essential and powerful of all the practices of Jesus and, arguably, the single most neglected in the modern Western church. In fasting, you are literally praying with your body, offering all your senses to God. In the Bible, fasting is often associated with prayer and repentance. For example, in Joel 2:12, God says, "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." In this sense, fasting is a way of saying to God, "I am willing to give up something in order to seek you and follow you more closely." (Lev. 16:29, 31). In the post-exilic period, there were four additional annual fasts (Zech. 8:19), and Esther 9:31 adds another annual fast.

The duration of a fast can vary greatly. Some fasts are short, lasting only a day or two, while others can last for several weeks or even months. A 40-day fast, like the one I personally went on, is an extreme activity and not recommended for most people. In fact, Jesus taught that his disciples should not fast while he was with them, but they would fast in the future (Matthew 9:14-15). Instead, Jesus recommends starting with a one-day fast and seeing how the Lord leads you. He also suggests linking the severity of your crisis to the severity of your fast. For example, if you're facing a major problem, you may want to fast for a longer period of time.

When it comes to the type of fast, there are several options. Some people fast completely, not eating or drinking anything, while others drink liquids only. Others may fast from certain foods or activities for an extended period of time. The key is to find a fast that works for you and that you can sustain for the duration. It's also important to remember that fasting is not just about giving up food, but about praying with your body and seeking God's guidance and strength. As Jesus said, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18)