A Study Guide on the Spiritual Discipline of Fasting

Fasting is God-Centered.

Throughout Scripture fasting refers to abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. Unlike a Hunger Strike (political power) or health dieting (physical not spiritual).

Biblical fasting always centers on spiritual purposes. Always God-focused.

“First, let it [fasting] be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on Him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in Heaven” – John Wesley

Fasting can bring breakthroughs in the spiritual realm that will never happen in any other way.

It is a means for God’s grace and blessing that should not be neglected.

Keep God at the center of your fasting rather than the physical benefits, success in prayer, the enduring of power, and spiritual insight. See fasting as worshiping the Lord!

Types of Biblical Fasts:

“Normal Fast” – abstain from all food (solid or liquid), but NOT from water. [Luke 4:2]
“Partial Fast” – restriction of diet but not complete abstention. [Dan 10:3]
“Absolute Fast” – abstaining from food AND water. In dire emergencies for a direct spiritual need*. In the natural, not more than 3 days but supernatural forty day fasts are recorded in the bible. *Note, should never engaged in unless clear command from God and for no more than 3 days. [Esth 4:16, Acts 9:9, Deut 9:9, 1 Kings 19:8}
“Corporate/Public Fast” – during Mosaic law they held a public on day fast during the day of atonement and in instances of group or national emergency. [Lev23:27, Joel 2:15, 2 Chron 20:1-4, Ezra 8:21-23]. Serious problems and relationships can be healed through unified group prayer and fasting in a church our close group.
“Regular Fast” – participating in “normal fast” on set days of the week. {Zech 8:19, Luke 18:12}

Jesus on Fasting

Jesus himself fasted [Luke 4:2] and he taught correction on how to do it on the Sermon on the Mount [Matt 6:16] and he explained to the disciples of John the Baptists why, Jesus and his disciples were not currently fasting:

¹⁴Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

¹⁵Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” Matt 9:14-15

The point here being that while Jesus, the bridegroom was present, it was a time for feasting not fasting, but there would be a time when they would fast.

We find that time for fasting among the disciples occurs after Jesus ascended in Acts 13:2-3 (Setting apart of Saul and Barnabas) and was a common practice in the founding of the early church Acts 14:23 (ordained elders in every church).

Discipline brings freedom.

“Our human cravings and desires are like rivers that tend to overflow their banks; fasting helps keep them in their proper channels” – Richard Foster

More than any other Disciple, fasting reveals the things that control us. Often the good food and lack of discipline covers up what is inside us – fasting allows it to come to the surface and be seen. This revelation leads to transformation and freedom.

“I humbled my soul with fasting” David (psalm 69:10)

If you are struggling with pride, fear, anger, bitterness, jealously, etc those things will surface and we can then receive healing on those things through the power of Jesus Christ.

Seeking God.

Fasting reminds us that we are sustained “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4). In fasting, we are not so much abstaining on food as we are feasting on the word of God. Fasting is feasting!

Benefits include personal transformation, healing, increased effectiveness in intercessory prayer, guidance in decisions, increased concentration, deliverance for those in bondage, physical well-being, revelation, and more.

Fast for greater and deeper rewards rather than to impress those around you. Do it in secret and only tell those that must know. Otherwise you will impress others and that will be your reward.

God knows our heart and is happy to reward us with his riches in heaven.

Applying it. Progressing into Fasting.

Starter fast.

If you are uneasy initially, try a partial fast for 24 hours. Initially it is easier to do a Lunch to Lunch fast, so start there. Drink water and fruit juice as you “try” this partial fast. Break your fast with a light meal of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Be mindful of the inner attitude of your heart. Work as normal, but inwardly you will be in prayer and adoration, song, and worship. In a new way, with new awareness apply your daily tasks as ministry to the lord.

Normal fast.

Do a full 24 hour fast with only water – drinking lots of water. You can add lemon juice to your water to add flavor if desired. With success here, move to 36 hour fast (essentially starting your fast directly after dinner then thru all 3 meals the entire next day and then breaking fast the following morning).

Drink water when you have hunger pangs. You are the master of your stomach, not its slave. If you can, dedicated your normal meal time to meditation and prayer. Listen for the Lord to speak to your and provide revelation.

Directed longer fast.

After several normal fasting sessions with spiritual success, seek the Lord for guidance on if he wants you to go on a longer fast such as a three to seven day fast. Some have chosen to go ten days, 21 days, and even 40 days.

Things to consider.

This is God focused. Look to God, praise Him and seek him during your fast.
This can guide and direct your spiritual life and lead to healing and transformation.
Look for what bubbles up and seek to give it over to the Lord.
This is a way to learn your spirit is stronger than your flesh. You are the master over your stomach. And can apply that to other areas of your life such as anger, bitterness, jealousy etc.
Expect and listen for God to speak to you and share revelation.

Deep Dive / Extended Study:

If you want to dig into scripture and see how fasting was applied biblically, as well as when and what situations to fast for, you’ll find a wonderfully deep and well organized outline with distinct situations and specific scriptures here: http://www.dianedew.com/fasting.htm

About this article:

Disclaimer/Source Material – I wrote this as a study guide for the “Fasting” chapter in Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Disciplines. Most of the contents of this article are verbatim excerpts and quotes from the book focusing on core messages from the chapter but arranged in a different order for the purposes of teaching the lesson on fasting to a small group at church. I highly recommend this book for anyone studying spiritual disciplines in pursuit of becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.