THE NINE FASTS IN SCRIPTURE
(Isaiah 58: 6-8)
Not Eating & Drinking
v. 6 “Is this not the fast which I chose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free,
And break every yoke?
v. 7 Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry,
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
v. 8 Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your righteousness will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear
guard.”
(Isaiah 58: 6-8)
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
1. to loosen the bonds of wickedness,
- v.6
2. to undo the bands of the yoke, and
- v.6
3. to let the oppressed go free and
- v.6
4. to break every yoke?
- v.6
5. Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and
bring the homeless poor into the house; When you
see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide
yourself from your own flesh?
- v.7
6. Then your light break out like the dawn
- v.8
7. And our recovery will spring forth speedily; - v.8
8. And your righteousness will go before you; - v.8
9. The glory of the LORD will be your reward.” - v.8
(Isaiah 58: 6-8)
A biblical definition of fasting:
A Christian’s
voluntary abstinence
from
food
for
spiritual purposes.
FASTING IS TO BE DONE FOR A PURPOSE
 Without a purpose fasting can be a miserable,
self-centered experience.
 There are many purposes for fasting given in
Scripture.
 Whenever you fast, you should do so for at
least one of these purposes.
 Notice that none of the purposes is to earn
God’s favor.
 We cannot use fasting as a way to impress
God and earn His acceptance.
 We are made acceptable to God through the
work of Christ Jesus, not our work.
 Fasting has no eternal benefit for us until we
have come to God thru repentance & faith.
(See Ephesians 2: 1 – 10 & Titus 3: 5 – 7)
Types of Fast
1. The Apostle’s Fast
(Matthew 17:21 KJV)
To free oneself from addiction to sin
Verse: “This kind goes not out but by prayer and
fasting”
Types of Fast
2.The Ezra Fast
(Ezra 8:22)
To solve problems
Verse: “So we fasted and entreated our God for this,
and He answered our prayer”
Types of Fast
3.The Samuel Fast
(1 Samuel 7:6)
To bring evangelism
Verse: “So they gathered together at Mizpah drew
water and poured it out before the Lord. And there
they fasted that day.”
Types of Fast
4.The Elijah Fast
(1 Kings 19:8)
To solve emotional & mental burn-out
Verse: “He (Elijah) . . . went in the strength of that
meat forty days”
Types of Fast
5.The Widow’s Fast
(Isaiah 58:7)
To provide for physical needs of others
Verse: “Is it (the fast) not to share your bread with
the hungry . . . ?”
Types of Fast
6.The Apostle Paul’s Fast
(Acts 9:9)
To make decisions with insight & wisdom
Verse: “He was three days without sight and either
ate nor drank”
Types of Fast
7. The Daniel Fast
(Daniel 1:12)
For physical health or healing
Verse: “Test your servants for ten days, . . . water
give us vegetables to eat and to drink”
Types of Fast
8. The John The Baptist Fast
(Luke 1:15)
For your testimony & influence
Verse: “He will be great in the sight of the Lord, and
shall drink neither wine nor strong drink”
Types of Fast
9. The Esther Fast
(Esther 4:16)
For spiritual protection from the evil one.
Verse: “Gather all the Jews . . . fast for me; neither
eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My
maiden and I will fast likewise.”
WHY FAST?
HISTORICAL – Biblical (Old Testament)
1. One Mandatory Day (Day of Atonement)
The only day of sacrifice for sin. Fasting on that
day was for cleansing from sin & the affliction
of the soul (Leviticus 16:1-34; 23:26-32;
Numbers 29: 9-11).
a. Nehemiah fasted upon hearing the
conditions of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 9)
b. Ezra fasted & received God’s protection &
power for God’s people (Ezra 8)
c. Jehosephat proclaimed a fast to seek God’s
direction and protection.
d. David humbled himself before God thru
fast.
WHY FAST?
HISTORICAL – Biblical (New Testament)
1. John the Baptist’s fasting thru a prayer
relationship (Luke 1:15)
2. Jesus
a. The difference between Jesus’ concept & the
practice of the Pharisees (Matthew 6: 16 – 18)
Read Luke 5: 33 – 35; Matthew 6: 16 – 18; 9:14
– 17; 17: 20 – 21.
b. Other references: Acts 13: 2; 14: 23;
2 Corinthians 6: 5; 11: 27
Biblically Fasting is Appropriate
It is relevant for today as guided by scriptures
 When mourning and grieving over sin and there
is need for repentance
(Sorrowful/ Deep Contrition)
(Nehemiah 9: 1 -3; Joel 2: 12 – 15; Jeremiah 36:
6 – 9; Jonah 3: 5)
 When mourning in death (1 Samuel 31: 11 – 13)
 When humbling self before God for intervention
in certain circumstances.
 When seeking God’s favor (Ezra 8: 21 – 23 . . .
seeking God’s protection & Blessing on members
of the church)
Biblically Fasting is Appropriate
It is relevant for today as guided by scriptures
 When we need God’s deliverance over our
enemies. (Psalm 35: 13; 69: 10; 109: 24; 2
Chronicles 20: 3)
 When we need to hear from God, need direction
from God. (Exodus 34: 27 – 28; 1 Kings 19: 8;
Acts 13: 2 -3; 14: 23)
 When God calls the heart to do it to do His will.
(Read portions of Isaiah 58; and Matthew 17:21)
 To allow the Holy Spirit full control.
It brings revelation by the Holy Spirit of our true
spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness,
repentance and change. Give the Holy Spirit
absolute control of body, soul, and spirit.
“Self-indulgence is the enemy of gratitude &
self-discipline usually its friend and generator.
That is why gluttony is a deadly sin. The early
desert fathers believed that a person’s appetites
are linked: full stomachs and jaded palates take
the edge from our hunger and thirst for
righteousness. They spoil the appetite for God.”
- Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.,
Dean, Calvin Theological
Seminary & Professor of
Systematic Theology
The Reformed Journal
(Nov. 1988)
 Scripture mentioned fasting 77 times & 75 times
for baptism.
 In a gluttonous, denial-less, self-indulgent
society, Christians may struggle to accept and to
begin the practice of fasting.
 Few Disciplines go so radically against the flesh
and the mainstream of culture as this one.
 We cannot overlook its biblical significance.
 Of course, some people, for medical reasons,
cannot fast.
 But most of us should not overlook fasting’s
benefits in the disciplined pursuit of a Christlike
life.
Fasting
 It is to be God-centered.
 It is voluntary - fasting is not to be coerced.
 A broader view of fasting does not always deal
with abstinence from food.
Sometimes we may need to fast:
- from involvement with other people, or
- from the mass media –i.e.- T.V., DVDs, Movies,
Printed magazines, books and journals;
- from the telephone/ internet/ social media
- from talking, from sleep, etc.,
in order to become more absorbed in a time of
spiritual activity.
 The Bible only refers to fasting in terms of its
primary sense, that is, abstinence from food.
Biblical Fasting is Accompanied By:
(Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4; Psalm 35:13;
Daniel 9:3 and Luke 5:33)
 Confession of Sin (1 Samuel 7:6; Nehemiah 9: 1-3)
 Humility (Deuteronomy 9:18; Psalm 35:13; 69:10;
1 Kings 21:27; Nehemiah 9:1)
 Prayer
 Abstinence from Sexual Relationship
(1 Corinthians 7:5)
 Personal Demeanor (Matthew 6:17)
 Reading the Scriptures (Nehemiah 9: 1-3;
Jeremiah 36:6; 36: 10)
 Weeping (2 Samuel 1:12; Nehemiah 1:4; Esther 4:3;
Psalm 69:10; Joel 2: 12)
 Worship (Nehemiah 9: 1-3)
Fasting is to be Done for the following Purposes:
1. To Strengthen Prayer
(Ezra 8:23)
2. To Seek God’s Guidance
(Judges 20; Acts 14:23)
3. To Express Grief
(Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel
1:11-12; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 1:9)
4. To Seek Deliverance or Protection
(2 Chronicles 20:3-4; Ezra 8:21-23; Esther
4:16; Psalm 109)
5. To Express Repentance & Return to God
(1 Samuel 7:6; Joel 2:12; Jonah 3:5-6)
Fasting is to be Done for the following Purposes:
6.
To Humble Oneself Before God
7.
To Express Concern for the Work of God
8.
To Minister to the Needs of Others
9.
To Overcome Temptation & Dedicate Yourself
to God
(1 Kings 21:27-20; Psalm 35:13; Luke 18:12)
(Nehemiah 1:3-4; Daniel 9:3)
(Isaiah 58: 6-7)
(Matthew 4: 1-11)
10. To express Love & Worship to God
(Luke 2:37; Zechariah 7:5)
PRAYER PREPARES FOR FASTING
a. Praying and fasting are linked together in the
Scriptures and in the life-patterns of many
saints of God.
1) Praying is of more importance than eating.
2) The nature and purpose of prayer begins with
God. (Luke 11: 2ff)
3) Prayer is a dialogue between God & His people.
4) Prayer elements on the part of the believer:
worship and adoration, thanksgiving, confession,
petition and intercession.
b. Prayer is Biblically mandated.
1) Acts 4: 23 - Prayer for Boldness
2) Verse 24 - Prayer of Praise
3) Verse 29 - Petition = Enable Boldness
PRAYER PRACTICED DURING & AFTER FASTING
1. Prayer is a continual part of the growing
believer’s life. Jesus took for granted the believer
would always pray.
2. “When you pray . . .” Matthew 6: 5.
3. It is essential during fasting. It has been said
that fasting is praying with intensity.
4. When the period of fast is concluded, praying
becomes more intense and precious to continue
the joyous communion with God.
PRAYER POWER THROUGH FASTING
 God is Honored.
 God answers prayer through provision.
 Miracles are experienced.
 Save souls
 Heals
 Believer’s become victorious over enemies.
(1 Corinthians 15)
 Believer’s are kept save and secure.
 Unbelievers are being saved
 There is a movement of the Holy Spirit.
APPLICATION: 9 Types of Biblical Kind of Fasting
1. Normal Fast – Abstaining from all Food but not
from water. (Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2)
2. Partial Fast – A limitation of the diet but not
abstention from all food. (Dan. 1:12; Matt. 3:4)
3. Absolute Fast – Avoidance of all food & liquid,
even water (Ezra 10:6; Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9)
4. Supernatural Fast – Not repeatable apart from
the Lord’s specific calling & Miraculous Provision
(Deut. 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8)
5. Private Fast – Should fast in a way not to be
noticed by others (Matt. 6: 16-18)
APPLICATION: 9 Types of Biblical Kind of Fasting
6. Congregational Fast – Call for a sacred
assembly to gather the people and consecrate
the assembly in worshipping God. (Joel 2:15-16;
Nehemiah 9:1; Esther 4:16; Acts 13:2)
7. National Fast – Calls for the entire country to
fast. During the early days of our nation,
Congress proclaimed 3 national fasts
(2 Chronicles 20:3; Acts 13:2)
8. Regular Fast – Every Jew was to fast on the
Day of Atonement, an annual fast.
(Leviticus 16:29-31; Zechariah 8:19)
9. Occasional Fast – Occur on special occasions on
an as needed basis (Matthew 9:15)
APPLICATION:
WHAT TO DO IN FASTING?
PHYSICALLY
1. Use our brains – consult a doctor as to
participation and length
2. Exercise discipline – An option
3. Be willing to physically sacrifice my wants.
(Denying physical for spiritual; pray when
hunger pain comes)
4. Check to see if your body can handle a
fast; take reasonable precautions.
5. Set appropriate length of time.
APPLICATION:
WHAT TO DO IN FASTING?
SPIRITUALLY
1. Prepare spiritually.
a. Prepare with prayer.
b. Enter with positive faith.
c. Give plenty of time for Bible reading.
2. Enter with a purpose.
a. Are your motives right?
b. Make a fasting covenant with God.
c. Intend to glorify God.
d. Express your own personal
transgression.
e. Expect purifying grace.
APPLICATION:
WHAT TO DO IN FASTING?
SPIRITUALLY
3. Some cautions when going into a fast.
a. Do not use it to cover up a crime
(1 Kings 21:9)
b. Do not make it a religious ritual
(Matthew 6: 16 – 18) An Option
c. Do not use it to appear pious or religious
(Matthew 6: 5)
d. Do not fast to impress or coerce God.
e. Do not fast to lose weight.
APPLICATION: WHAT TO DO IN FASTING?
SPIRITUALLY
4. Make the fasting experience a time of prayer.
a. Focus on prayer.
b. Get into serious communion with God.
5. Some things we can pray for when fasting.
a. For ourselves personally, to find God, to
tear down strongholds
b. For personal needs in God’s will;
c. For intervention for others (their salvation
and their pressing circumstances.
d. For our church;
e. For the community & state governments;
f. For the conditions of our nations.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING & AFTER THE FAST?
A. There is a conscious presence of the Holy Spirit.
B. A Brokenness comes to you that is not explained.
C. There is a sense of God’s presence and God’s
power.
CONCLUSION
 when we have exhausted our energy,
 watched our plans crumble & attempt every
escape and remedy,
 the frailty of our fleshy existence confronts us,
true spiritual revival takes place in the heart of
the one who fasts.
 God is honored. His presence is experienced.
 His will is clearly known.
 Healing of the heart and land takes place.
 And, the Holy Spirit takes over!
Summary
 Fasting is denial of self for a period of
time in order to devote oneself to prayer.
 Normally it is food.
 It can be other items, which affect the
body, such as sex, or the mind, such as
television; or anything that keeps a person
from placing concentrated attention on
God.
Summary
 It is one’s willingness to set aside
legitimate appetites of the body and mind
 to concentrate on the work of praying and
shows willingness to demonstrate
 that we are intensely seeking with all the
heart and will not to let God go unless God
answers.
It is a discipline. By the act of fasting you
are voluntarily denying yourself for
spiritual reasons.
Why it make sense for the
Spiritual Discipline on Fasting & Prayer ?
F
–
Forsake our
A –
Appetite for a
S -
Specific
T -
Timeframe for
I
Intimacy with & Spiritual
-
N - Nourishment from
G - God
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