When you fast

Yolandie Mostert, 13 May 2023

This teaching is going to be longer than usual. I’ve tried to compile a fairly complete teaching on fasting. There are so much to share, but this should form a good foundation on the topic. This year (2023), the Holy Spirit has led us into a corporate fasting between Ascension day and Pentecost. Anyone is welcome to join us in fasting and waiting on God. While we are busy preparing for these ten days, we’ve received quite a few questions about fasting. This is basically the reason for the teaching.

The audio version of this message is availalbe on our telegram channel: https://t.me/+1hYU7h46Jj1hZDc8

 

John Piper wrote the following in his book: ‘Hunger for God’: “Christian fasting, at its root, is the hunger of a homesickness for God. Christian fasting is not only the spontaneous effect of superior satisfaction in God, it is also a chosen weapon against every force in the world that would take that satisfaction away.”

 

Introduction

Fasting is a normal church discipline, just like prayer. It’s not supposed to be something strange or unknown, it’s supposed to be our normal lifestyle. Unfortunately this powerful weapon got lost. It’s seldom that you encounter someone with a lifestyle of prayer and fasting.

Fasting played a significant role in previous revivals and fresh outpourings. When we study these movements of God, we can see how it was ignited by prayer and fasting. Whenever you meet someone that truly moves in the power of the Spirit of God, you will find prayer and fasting in their lives. Prayer and fasting go hand in hand and when these two disciplines are combined, there is movement in the spirit.

During the time when Jesus was on earth, it was strange when people didn’t fast. We read of this in Luke 5:33-35. Jesus was asked why His disciples didn’t fast and He answered that a time will come when they will fast. That time started when Jesus ascended to heaven and we are still living in that time.

Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” 

 

What did Jesus say about fasting?

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matt 6:16-18)

Note that Jesus didn’t say IF you fast. He said WHEN you fast. Just like prayer and the sowing of finances, fasting is one of those things that’s expected of disciples of Jesus. These three things didn’t get an IF you do it, but a WHEN we do it.

 

What is fasting?

Like I’ve already mentioned, fasting is a spiritual discipline that is expected of ALL followers of Jesus. Not one of us are excluded. We’ll look at some practical and health issues a bit later.

Fasting in its purest form is the voluntary withholding of food for spiritual purposes. But fasting doesn’t only include food. Our spiritual lives really benefit when we fast social media, cell phones, television, teachings and sermons and even sometimes people and visits.

When we, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, refrain from eating food, it’s a very strong weapon to assist in crucifying our fleshly desires and nature. The sacrifice of the cross always leads to the release of the power of the cross. Fasting is the Bible’s way of humbling ourselves. This principle of humbling yourself through fasting was one the Israelites understood. When they were called to humble themselves, they fasted. Even today, Jews fast on feast days that call for humbling. David did the same in Psalm 35. Fasting is a very effective tool to humble ourselves.

I humbled my soul with fasting, And I prayed with my head bowed on my chest. (Ps 35:13b) 

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time (1 Pet 5:6)

Lastly, fasting is a way of worship. When we are obedient to the principles, instructions and order of God’s kingdom, despite our own inconvenience and fleshly desires, we are busy worshipping Him. I believe that this is one of the reasons why fasting is such a powerful tool in the spirit. But it’s only a powerful tool when our motive is right – obedience and worship.

 

What fasting is not

Biblical fasting is not a hunger strike between you and God. It’s not a way to twist God’s arm to get our way. Many people use fasting as a way of manipulation to receive their own desires and will.

Fasting is really not about how God must react to our prayers, but more about how we bring our prayers before Him. We are the wanting party. Fasting is therefore a humble way of praying.

It’s not a way to make us look holier or more righteous. It’s also not a spiritual ego booster, something that we proclaim to make us look more spiritual in the eyes of the next person.

Fasting is also not a diet. Even though there are many health benefits, losing weight is not the end goal. Anyway, if you will return to an unhealthy lifestyle after a period of fasting, you will pick up whatever you’ve lost and even more.

 

Advantages and results of fasting

The most obvious advantage is that we have more time to spend in His presence. That is now when you replace meal times and times to prepare meals with prayer time.

Fasting makes us more sensitive in the spirit. When fasting and prayer are combined, many times we are able to hear His voice more clearly. When our flesh gets weaker, our spirit becomes more dominant.

Fasting, the right way and with the right motives, assist us to grow towards spiritual maturity. It also teaches us to overcome. Spiritual endurance is an important fruit that all of us must have.

Certain deliverance only succeeds with fasting and prayer. When the disciples were not able to deliver the boy from the demon, Jesus answered that in certain cases prayer and fasting is necessary (Mark 9:28-29). We ministered to a certain person that really struggled to receive breakthrough in deliverance and the Lord gave us this passage in Scripture to give to the person. He was to earnestly pray and fast.

We come closer to God. Our faith becomes stronger and our hearts change. Sometimes a shift in the spirit happens without us even noticing. After a fast, especially a fast that was longer than two or three days, we can start to see changes in our spiritual lives. This morning when I woke up, I heard the words: ‘fasting increases authority’.

While we fast, the Holy Spirit can really show us the true condition of our hears and it leads to repentance. Hidden sin is exposed; things that we are not even aware of.

Fasting helps us to gain spiritual victory over the enemy’s attacks. We can fast for a specific breakthrough or we can fast in general.

 

Fasting in the life of Jesus

We find one of the clearest results of fasting in Luke 4. After the baptism of Jesus He was full of the Holy Spirit. It was the Spirit that drove Him into the desert where He fasted for fourty days and was tempted by the devil. After the fourty days He returned in the power of the Spirit. He moved from a position of being full of the Spirit to the power of the Spirit. This is what happens when we fast.

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. (Luk 4:1-2)

Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. (Luk 4:14) 

 

Examples of fasting in Scripture

I would now like to give different examples of fasting from the Bible. From every situation we can see why they fasted and also the result of it.

Ezra

Ezra testified of God’s protection to the king of Babel. Because of this he realised that it would bring dishonour to God should he request human protection for the journey back to Jerusalem. Still he was deeply aware of their need for God’s protection. His solution to the problem was to fast. We read how the Lord heard and answered.

Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. (Ezr 8:21-23) 

 

Esther

The fast that Esther called for is almost one of the most difficult ways of fasting – three days and three nights without food and water. It was desperate situation that required radical action. During this time the Jewish nation came the closest to complete annihilation. Therefore, this strict and serious fast. It was the fast that put all the events in motion that lead to the victory.

“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Est 4:16) 

 

David

Look at the manner in which David humbled himself before the Lord. He didn’t eat and he spent the night lying on the ground before the Lord.

Then Nathan departed to his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. (2 Sam 12:15-17) 

Another lesson from this story is that fasting doesn’t always result in our desires being fulfilled. The son of David and Bathsheba still died just like the Lord spoke through His prophet Nathan. David’s sin caused the enemies of God to blaspheme. But David’s remorse and humbling before the Lord resulted in a shift in the spirit. Bathsheba fell pregnant again and Solomon was born. Just listen to this beautiful verse. The Lord named Solomon Jedidiah which means the beloved of the Lord.

and He sent word through Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah (beloved of the LORD) for the sake of the LORD [who loved the child]. (2 Sam 12:25 AMP)

 

King Jehoshaphat

The enemies of Judah gathered for a battle and the king realised that they were overwhelmed. What was his solution in this life-threatening danger? A corporate day of fasting to seek help from the Lord. Fasting demonstrates our dependence on God.

Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. (2 Cron 20:2-4) 

 

The city of Nineveh

This evil city’s destruction was announced by the prophet Jonah. We all know the story of Jonah and the fish, but sometimes we miss the reaction of the extremely wicked city to the word of judgement by YHVH. If only people today would react in this manner when the Lord warns them through His prophets. This city and their king fasted in a drastic manner. Even though the judgement was already announced and this wasn’t even the Lord’s chosen people, God still saw their repentance, fasting and remorse and He relented.

So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. (Jon 3:5-10) 

 

Daniel

This passage forms the basis of what many people call the Daniel fast. I will comment a bit later on this way of fasting. When we can move past all the books, recipes and opinions on the fast, we get to crux of the fast. Daniel saw a vision that disturbed him greatly. This led to a three-weeks partial fast. He didn’t eat meat nor drank wine during this period. He also abstained from tasty food. We also read how he humbled himself before the Lord and set his heart to understand the words that he heard. We read of this in verse 12. After the three-week period of fasting, the breakthrough came and the angel broke through the opposition to give him the rest of the information.

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. (Dan 10:1-3)

 

Daniel

Here is another example from Daniel’s life. He read the letter that Jeremiah wrote to the captives in Babylon. We have to pay attention to what happened here. We can be so complacent about the fulfilment of promises and prophecy. It’s almost as if we expect things to happen by itself and that we have no role to play. From this passage in Scripture we can see that Daniel didn’t share this mindset. God has already promised deliverance after seventy years through his prophet Jeremiah. The seventy years were now finished. It was time for the fulfilment of the promise. Daniel’s reaction to this: fasting, prayer, supplications and repentance. I wonder how many times do we miss fulfilment because we haven’t done anything about it and just expected it to happen by itself because God has spoken.

In the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. (Dan 9:2-3)

 

Paul

Paul’s reaction to his encounter with Jesus was a three day long fast – nothing to eat or drink. I believe that he was deeply shocked at the realisation that he could be so very wrong. His journey with the Lord started with a fast while he waited on God. Remember that Jesus sent him to the city to wait on further instructions.

Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:8-9) 

 

The first church

Fasting was not a strange concept for the first church. We can see form the passage below how fasting formed part of every decision and action. They were busy fasting. Note how fasting and the serving of the Lord are mentioned together. While they were fasting, the Holy Spirit gave an instruction. After the instruction, the fasted and prayed again before the laying on of hands.

How far have the church moved away from God’s order. Today people are voted into leadership positions without any prayer of fasting.

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 13:2-3) 

Here is another example. The leaders of congregations were called elders and these people were committed to the Lord after prayer and fasting.

So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23) 

 

The early church and modern examples

We find plenty of examples of fasting in the writings of the early church, but also of more recent preachers. A quick search on the internet and you can read it yourself. Because of time and space I’m only going to mention a few.

According to these old writings the early church fasted twice a week as a minimum. This practice makes sense if you compare it with the Jewish practices of those times. Refer to Luke 18:12. Remember that most of the early believers where Jews. We find this practice of fasting twice a week even the life of John Wesley. He also fasted twice a week from sunrise to late afternoon.

Charles Finney also fasted on a weekly basis and sometimes for three days or more for revival. Whenever he experienced a decrease in power and anointing, he would fast until it was restored again.

Derek Prince wrote of a 21-days fast which resulted in a deepening in his ministry. He also fasted twice a week throughout his life.

 

Different methods of fasting

• Let’s get practical. The section that now follows contains answers to most of the questions that we get regarding fasting.
• A complete fast means the withholding of all types of food and liquids, including water. This type of fast can only be done for a maximum of three days. Because of the exclusion of liquid, this is one of the most difficult ways to fast. We don’t recommend this type of fast for beginners. Only fast this way under direct instruction of the Holy Spirit.
• The most common way of fasting is the withholding of food. During the fast you can drink water and/or water and fruit and vegetable juices. This type of fast can be done for 40 days and shorter. There is not a right or wrong quantity of days that you have to fast. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
• Then we get to what is called a Daniel fast. This is a partial fast where only certain types of food are excluded. Daniel excluded all kinds of tasty food, meat and wine. So many books, recipes and eating plans have been published under the name ‘Daniel fast’. It actually became more of a healthy lifestyle and a diet than a fast. But it’s a good way of fasting for someone that’s new to fasting. Just be careful that all the rules of what you may and may not eat, devour your prayer time. There are tonnes of delicious recipes that fit into the man-made rules. It wastes time and defeats the whole purpose of fasting. Be careful for trends, fads and fleshliness. Just keep it simple and this truth doesn’t only apply to fasting. If you want to do a partial fast, decide for example to only eat fruit and vegetables. Eat it raw or steamed so that you don’t waste too much time on food preparation.
• There are people on chronic medication or that suffers from diabetes as an example. This partial type of fast, makes it possible for all of us, regarding our limitations, to fast. Maybe you can eat more vegetables and nuts to maintain your blood sugar levels. Should you have a medical condition, discuss your plan to fast with a medical person with knowledge of fasting for advice.
• The Jewish way of fasting, actually the Middle-Eastern way, is to fast from morning to sunset (around 6pm). This way of fasting flowed to the church and can be seen in the lives of some early ministers. This is the way that we personally fast most of the time. For example, when we do a seven day fast, we will not eat from morning until after 6pm. However, we will drink water and herbal tea. No coffee or any other drinks that contain stimulants, like black tea that contains a lot of caffeine. After 6pm we’ll maybe make a smoothie or have some soup. Not a large meal and certainly no sugar or treats. I’m only sharing our way as an example, not as a rule.
• Fasting can be personal or corporate. Each person should have his or her own times of fasting. It’s also very beneficial to fast together as a congregation, town or country. We find both ways in Scripture.
• There is no rule or correct way to fast. Some people who like boxes with strict rules and frameworks find it difficult to understand that the Bible doesn’t prescribe a specific way to fast. I’m sharing a few options, but each person has to hear from God themselves. Learn to live by the Spirit – receive personal guidance from the Holy Spirit and not from man.

 

Some practical arrangements

If you’re not used to fasting, a whole day or week without food can sound a bit hectic. But start with one meal only. Use that time to pray. Maybe you can fast dinner when the responsibilities of the day are done. Or maybe over a weekend – a Saturday afternoon. The most important thing that must accompany your fast is to pray and to seek God’s face.

Decide on the reason why you want to fast. Spiritual discipline and worship are also reasons. Fasting doesn’t have to be for something specific.

Before the fast

Decide on the type of fast as well as the timeframe. Establish your rules together with the Holy Spirit – what you will eat and drink and what times you will fast.

Start eating lighter meals. Reduce your caffeine intake and drink more water. Many people are caught unaware of the headaches and withdrawal symptoms during the first three days and may think that they are experiences health issues. It can take time to rid our bodies of caffeine, sugar and chemicals. This is why we get headaches. The greater the addictions, the more severe the headaches and body aches. After three days it normally subsides.

Start to reduce your intake of heavier food like meat. Don’t make the mistake of having one final feast just before the start of your fast. Prepare your stomach and digestive system that less food is coming.

Then, prepare yourself mentally. Fasting is difficult. You are going to be hungry and the enemy will try to resist you. Some fasts are easier than others. But sometimes it’s really hard and your body is going to protest. Be prepared.

During the fast

Focus on God and to worship Him. Make room for time to pray and to read the Bible. Dedicate time for Him; also to simply wait on Him.

It’s a good idea to keep a notebook close by. Write down new insights, dreams, word, ideas and answers. Not every fast come with deep revelation and awesome experiences. Sometimes things move without us even knowing and we might only recognise a change a few weeks after.

Drink plenty of water, rest and get enough sleep.

The first few days are the most difficult, but set your heart to overcome. Fasting is also an extremely good way to test for the fruit of self-control in our lives.

Ending a fast

To end a fast requires a lot of discipline because we want to eat everything our eyes sees. Don’t do that, it will make you sick.

The first meal after a fast must be something light, like fruit juice, soup or a smoothie. Thereafter you can gradually reintroduce solid foods. First things like yoghurt, a thicker soup, fruit, cooked vegetables and then only add meat.

Eat small portions. Remember that your digestive system was in a period of rest. Experts reckon that a seven-day strict fast must be followed by a three-day period of vegetables, fruit and dairy. A fourty day fast requires a seven-day transition period.

Here is a link to a website with some good, practical advice:

https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/fasting/personal-guide-to-fasting.1.html

 

If food our boss? Is our flesh in control?

Derek Prince said the following: ‘Paul realised that he had to bring his carnal nature into subjection if he was going to succeed in his divine calling. This leaves every one of us with a question: Which is the master and which is the servant in each of us? Is the body the master and the spirit just the slave? Or is the spirit the master and the body the servant? I will tell you this: your body makes a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.’

Our flesh can be very strong and fasting truly exposes its power. Our flesh wants us to give up and will cause thoughts like: “just break the fast, it will not be that bad”. Then we really have to endure in order to subject our flesh and not succumb to its temptations. There are times when I will give my stomach a slap and will reprimand it: “you are not my boss, God is my boss”.

 

An extract from a teaching by Pieter Kirstein

Physical abstaining from food, under the guidance and unction of the Holy Spirit, is a very powerful spiritual discipline that can assist in crucifying fleshly passions because the principle of sacrifice releases the power of the cross, by the Spirit’s operation, into our lives.

From the beginning of my personal mentorship of the Holy Spirit in my life 21 years ago, God clearly and distinctly showed me how the power of the cross, operating through the discipline of fasting, destroys the carnal fleshly mind of man.

Here is the link if you want to read the whole teaching. I can really recommend it.

https://www.facebook.com/profile/100004384542553/search/?q=fasting

 

In closing

If we really want to see the power of God working in our lives, we will have to start a lifestyle of fasting combined with prayer.