11/01/2023
TYPES OF FASTS THE BIBLE RECORDS:
1. The absolute fast,
2.The normal fast, and
3.The partial fast.
KEY ELEMENTS TO ADDRESS;
1. How Much?
2. How Long?
3. How Healthy?
The lack to dethrone King Stomach led to the downfall of Several Bible personalities like Adam and Eve, Esau, etc ,But God's Word is full of marvelous testimonies of those who succeeded.
It was during a forty-day fast that Moses received the Ten Commandments
(Exodus 34:27-28).
When Haman ordered the annihilation and plunder of all Jews, Esther called for all the Jews of her city to join her on a three-day fast from all food and water.
As a result, the Jews were spared, Haman's vile plan was exposed, and he was hanged on the very gallows he built! (See Esther 4-7.)
Hannah, greatly distressed over not being able to bear a child, "wept and did not eat," as recorded in 1 Samuel 1:7.
God heard her plea, and the prophet Samuel was soon born.
Judah, Ezra, the people of Nineveh, Nehemiah, David, and Anna are also among those whose fasts are noted in the Word.
TYPES OF FASTS:
The Bible records many different circumstances, types, and lengths of fasts.
In addition to those I just mentioned, Joshua fasted forty days, and Daniel partially fasted twenty-one days.
It is recorded that the apostle Paul was on at least two fasts: one for three days and one for fourteen days.
Peter fasted three days, and,of course, we know that Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness.
THE THREE TYPES OF FASTS FOUND IN SCRIPTURE ARE:
1. The absolute fast,
2.The normal fast, and
3.The partial fast.
1.THE ABSOLUTE FAST:
First, an absolute fast is extreme and should be done only for very short periods of time.
On an absolute fast, you take in nothing—no food, no water.
Depending on your health, this fast should be attempted only withmedical consultation and supervision.
2. THE NORMAL FAST:
On a normal fast, you typically go without food of any kind for a certain number of days.
You do drink water, and plenty of it!
Depending on the length of the normal fast, you may also choose to take clear broth and juices in order to maintain your strength.
3. THE PARTIAL FAST:
A partial fast can be interpreted many ways. The way it cannot be interpreted is to include that time between about 11:00 pm. and 6:00 am.—when you're sleeping!
A partial fast usually involves giving up particular foods and drink for an extended period of time.
The most commonly used example of a partial fast is found in the Book of Daniel.
In the beginning of his captivity in Babylon, Daniel and his three companions refused to eat the choice meats and sweets from the king's table, asking instead to have only vegetables and water.
They did this for ten days to prove that they would be just as healthy as the king's men. Later, in chapter 10, grieved over the plight of Israel, Daniel began another partial fast,taking no sweets, no meat, and no wine for three weeks, during which time he was focused in prayer.
At the end, his prayer was answered by an angel.
The duration of fasts can vary.
There are significant numbers we find in the Bible, which include THREE days, SEVEN days, TWENTY-ONE days, and FORTY days.
But there are also references to HALF-DAY fasts and TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR fasts.
There is no real formula that I can give you to help you determine which type or length of fast is right for you.
The length of time that you choose to fast should depend on your circumstances, but don't get bogged down in the details.
Begin with one day from sunrise to sunset. You will be amazed at the difference even a one-day partial or normal fast will make in your life.
Don't bite off more than you can handle.
There is no need to be heroic and attempt a forty-day fast if you have never fasted a day in your life .
Just start. Once you discover the benefits, you'll be on your way to making it a life practice.
There are times when the Lord may impress you to go on a longer fast, but for most folks, a three-day fast is very practical.
A "Daniel fast," eliminating meat, bread, and sweets for twenty-one days, is a fast just about anyone can handle as well.
Some may think eliminating only those three foods from your diet for three weeks is no big deal. But if it means something to you, it will mean something to God. After all, when was the last time angels were released to speak mysteries to you like the archangel Michael spoke to Daniel?
If it doesn't mean anything to you, it won't mean anything to God.
On longer fasts, I drink water, juice, and even broth when I feel I need a little extra strength.
