March 31, 2020March 31, 2020
by in Focus on Christ E-Books

FASTING AND PRAYER

WRITTEN BY JACO VAN AS

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What is fasting and prayer?

Going into a period of fasting and prayer is a set period we decide to give up something we really enjoy and struggle to stay without, and while in this period, we constantly pray, asking for the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fasting is not about us, but about Him, showing and supporting our faith in God.

Do I have to fast?

There is no scripture saying that we MUST fast, but in the times we live today, it certainly is very much needed and can add great value to our relationship with Jesus.

Why Fast?

Fasting and prayer have been one of the biggest tools ever used to call in the presence of our Lord. This practice has been in use since the days of Moses, all the way through to the disciples of Jesus, therefore making it such a powerful tool to use for all Christians. Jesus Himself also went into a period of fasting and prayer, in fact for 40 days.

When we read about the story of the disciples struggling to drive out a demon in Matthew 17, we clearly see that Jesus said that it can only be done by fasting and prayer. Fasting and prayer is indeed the most powerful weapon we received to use against the enemy in these final days.

Here are a few well-known reasons why we go into a period of fasting and prayer:

  • To get direction in life
  • Get answers about specific issues
  • Have intimacy with Jesus
  • Show our commitment to Jesus Christ
  • Enter a spiritual realm with the presence of the Holy Spirit
  • Show discipline for our faith in Christ
  • Show our dependency to Jesus
  • A call for healing
  • Seek a breakthrough in our lives
  • Overcome specific challenges
  • Focus on a period of worship and fellowship
  • Bring forth victory over our lives
  • To please God
  • Fasting creates an opportunity for great testimonies

There are lots more reasons, but why not give it a try and see what it does for you! Many people experience great wonders, signs and breakthroughs when in a period of fasting and prayer, you should too.

How to fast

Matt 6:16-18: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others 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 others 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.

While fasting, it is very important that you are focused. Go into fasting with an expectation, spend enough QUALITY time in the Word of God, listen to worship as much as possible and make sure that you yourself worship constantly. In your period of fasting, pray as much as possible, talk to Jesus, share your thoughts and feelings with Him.

It is important that you spend as much alone time with God as possible, since we need to focus on listening to what God wants to share with us. We cannot get answers if the noise of world keeps us from hearing the voice of God! It is also important to rather put our focus on GIVING and not RECEIVING. Also, don’t look at it as losing something, you are not losing anything, you are GAINING.

When we are new to fasting, we do sometimes fail, but don’t let this put you off. Remember, fasting is not a law, it is voluntary. If you fail, look at what you can do differently the next time and try again.

Different types of fasts

  1. Liquid – Full Fast (Matt 4:2)
  2. Sunrise to sunset – Day fast (1 Sam 14:24)
  3. Cutting out luxury foods – Partial fast (Dan 1)
  4. Fruit and Vegetables – Daniel fast (Dan 10)
  1. Liquid Fast

Doing a full fast means to eat nothing and only take in water. This fast is not a good idea for someone that has never done fasting before and should also not be for a long period. The idea of fasting is NOT to do harm to our bodies. Remember, our bodies are temples of God. It is not recommended to do a full fast for more than a day or two.

Do not take part in any physical activities during a full fast and make sure that you take in as much water as possible. If you are in this fast and struggle to much, rather stop and try one of the other types of fasting.

  1. Sunrise to Sunset

This is a big favorite for many. Here you do not eat during the time the sun is up, but still take in as much water as possible during this time. It is however very important that when we do eat after the sun has set, that we do not over eat, as this defeats the whole purchase of the fast.

  1. Cutting out luxury foods

This fast is also called a partial fast and the is a great fast for someone that has never done fasting before. The idea of this fast is to give up something, a luxury, that we love to eat/drink daily. This will be different for everyone, but a few ideas would be to give up coffee, tea, juice, chocolates, meat, etc. It must be something you consume daily.

  1. Fruit and Vegetable

The fruit and vegetable fast are also known as the Daniel Fast and have been a very successful fast for thousands of years and is one that is mentioned the most in the Bible. This fast last for 21 days or a full 3 weeks and you are only allowed to eat fruit and vegetables. This also means no junk foods! It is also important to take in as much water as possible. If you are someone that only live on fruit and vegetables, then it will not work for you and you would need to find something that you can cut out of your daily diet.

Dan 10:3: I ate no pleasant or desirable food, nor did any meat or wine come into my mouth; and I did not anoint myself at all for the full three weeks.

Here are a few examples of what you can eat during your Daniel fast, as given by Elmer Towns:

  • Whole Grains: brown rice, oats, rolled oats, oatmeal, barley, corn, popcorn, wheat
  • Legumes: dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, green beans, green peas, peanuts, etc. Grain legumes include beans, lentils, lupins, peas and peanuts (includes natural peanut butter).
  • Fruits: apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, berries, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, breadfruit, cantaloupe, cherries, coconuts, cranberries, dates, figs, grapefruit, grapes, grenadine, guava, honeydew melons, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, melons, mulberries, nectarines, oats, olives, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon, etc.
  • Vegetables: artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, any peppers, any potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, etc.
  • Seeds: all nuts, natural peanut butter, natural almond butter, sprouts, ground flax, all whole grain products, etc.
  • Liquids: spring water, distilled water, filtered water, 100% natural fruit or vegetable juices

Food to avoid 

  • Meat, because Daniel didn’t want to take the chance of eating non-kosher food and/or meat that was offered to idols.
  • white flour and all products using it
  • white rice, white bread, hominy and pasta
  • fried foods
  • foods or drinks with caffeine
  • carbonated beverages, including diet sodas
  • Wine, beer or any other alcoholic drinks
  • foods containing preservatives or additives
  • refined sugar
  • high fructose corn syrup
  • chemical sugar substitutes
  • margarine, shortening, animal fat, high fat products
  1. Fasting with technology

Many people are so hooked on social media, making it a powerful fasting tool. One can decide not to go on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram for a set period of time, not watch TV or simply stay away from any technology altogether.

How long should I fast

You can fast for 1 to 21 days or even longer if that is what you feel the Lord wants from you. As long as you do not do any harm to your body while fasting, there is no specific right or wrong, and remember, fasting is completely voluntary. Nobody can force you or tell you that you must do it, over wise it defeats the purpose. Remember that while you fast, do not do it with a long face, in fact, people should not even notice that you are fasting.

Biblical examples

Esther 4:3: In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. 

Esther 4:16: Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. 

Psalm 35:13: Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered. 

Daniel 9:3: So, I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. 

Joel 2:12: “Even now,” declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. 

Matthew 17:21: this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. 

Acts 10:30: So, Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing. 

People from the Bible who fasted

Jesus (Luke 4:1-2)

Moses (Ex 34:27-28)

Esther (Est 4-7)

Hannah (1 Sam 1:7)

Ezra (Ezra 8:21-23)

Nehemiah (Neh 1:4)

David (2 Sam 12:16)

Joshua (Ex 24:13-18)

Elijah (1 Kings 19:7-18)

Paul and Peter (Acts 27:9-11)

Anna (Luke 2:36-37)

Apostles (Acts 14:23)

Cornelius (Acts 10:30)