CENTRAL THOUGHT Fasting brings the believer closer to God in prayers.
HYMN: I AM THINE O’ LORD.
TEXT: Isaiah 58, Matthew 6:16-18
INTRODUCTION
Fasting is the deliberate, temporary keeping away from food for spiritual reasons. It denies the fleshly body while it reaches out spiritually in seeking a special request from God or for seeking a closer relationship with Him.
Although it is almost always combined with prayer, it should be considered a spiritual exercise on its own. It is usually done on a voluntary basis, but in Jewish history, the Day of Atonement (Lev.16:29; 23:32), was the only annual fast demanded by Law. At times, fasting was also called for during special times of repenting as found in 1 Sam. 14:24, 1 Kings 21:9, 2 Chron.20:3, Jer. 36:9, Joel 1:14.
In the New Testament there is approval of widespread fasting as an act of devotion toward God. In the early church, after the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, fasting was often combined with fervent prayer. In Luke 2:36, 37 we find a classic example of the sincere devotion of an 84 year old widow, whom Scripture says “departed not from the temple but served God with fasting and prayers night and day”. Apostle Paul in 1 Corin. 7:5 advised the married believers not to defraud their partners “except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again”. This shows that fasting is usually found in communion with prayer as a personal “one-on- one” time with God.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1.) To identify the forms of fasting.
2.) To know how to properly fast and how not to.
3.) To answer if fasting is for today or just a “thing of the past”. 4.) To identify some purposes for fasting with prayer.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1.) WHAT ARE THE FORMS OF FASTING?
Three forms of fasting seen in the Bible include:
a.) Absolute fast. (Esther 4:16, Acts 9:8-9).
This involves abstaining completely from food and water, as was done by Paul, Mordecai, and other Jews. Normally, this fast should not last more than three days, because the body then begins to dehydrate. The Lord Jesus reinforced this thought in Matt. 15:32 where He “…called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way”. Moses and Elijah undertook the absolute fast for 40 days (Exo. 34:28, Deut. 9:9,18, 1 Kings 19:8) but only under divine order.
b.) Normal fast.
This abstaining from all food, solid, or liquid, but not from water.
c.) Partial Fast (Dan. 10:3)
This is a restriction of diet rather than complete abstention.
Q2.) HOW ARE WE TO PROPERLY FAST?
Matt. 6:16-18
The Lord Jesus told His followers to “let your light shine before men”. Fasting (going without food in order to spend time in prayer) is a very personal holy action that is between an individual and God- It is not something done to impress others. The Lord Jesus said, “when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face…”. Our outward appearance should never reflect a tortured or sad demeanor, but as Scripture says “…let your light shine”. We are told, “do not appear to be fasting before mankind, but unto your Father which is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly”. The purpose of fasting is to draw the individual closer to God, not to impress those around him/her, not to gain public approval. It is a sign of humbleness on our part, as we express a genuine sorrow for sin and sincerely seek God’s face in prayer. The fast that God accepts is that which reforms our lives through and seeking His righteousness and perfect will in our lives.
But Matt. 6:16 describes the attitude of some people who fast in self-righteousness, “they are of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast”. Isaiah 58:3 describes the disobedient Israelites, who actually did fast but did not stop their sinful habits nor turn away from their evil ways.
They claimed “we have fasted and afflicted our souls”.
Q3.) IS FASTING FOR TODAY OR JUST A “THING OF THE PAST”?
Fasting is just as important and beneficial today as it was in the time of Christ, and as powerful as it was in the time of Moses. The Lord Jesus did not immediately begin His ministry once the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (Matt. 3:16) but separated Himself from the world and was in close communion with the Father through fasting (Matt. 4:1-2). In Matt. 9, some of the followers of John the Baptist confronted the Lord with the topic of fasting. The Lord acknowledged that after His return to glory with the Father in Heaven, His followers then shall fast (Matt. 9:15). Apostle Paul instructed believers in 2 Cor. 6:4-8, that “… in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings…”.
Some people currently consider fasting as not relevant or even needed for today. But for those who desire a “closer walk in Christ”, fasting will remain a vital tool in seeking the will of God as well as reaping the power from His Throne. As Paul suffered greatly in his service to Christ, he also greatly realized the importance of fasting as a source of strength and revelation from God. Fasting is valid for today, it serves as a means of drawing closer to God, enabling one to have greater authority and power. Mk. 9:14-29 alludes to the fact that prayer and fasting gets great results. From Acts 13:1- 3, we see that power and revelation also come through fasting.
Q4.) EXAMINE SOME BIBLICAL PURPOSES FOR FASTING WITH PRAYER.
Some purposes for fasting with prayer include:-
a.) To honor God. Zech. 7:5, Matt. 6:16-18, Luke 2:37, Acts 13:2.
b.) To humble one’s soul. Ezra 8:21, Ps. 69:10, Isaiah 58:3
c.) Mourn over personal sin and failure. 1 Sam. 7:6, Neh. 9:1-2
d.) Mourn over sins of the church, nation, and world. 1 Sam. 7:6, Neh. 9:1-2
e.) Draw closer to God and oppose spiritual evil forces. Judges 20:26, Joel 2:12, Acts 9:9-19
f.) Repent and ask God to change His intended judgement. 2 Sam. 12:16,
22, 1 Kings 21:27-29, Jonah 3:5,10, Joel 2:12-14.
g.) Save souls from bondage of evils. Isaiah 58:6, Matt. 17:14-21.
h.) Receive close presence/consecration to God. Isaiah 58:6-9, Matt. 4:2
i.) Gain revelation and knowledge of God’s will. Isaiah 58:5, 6,11, Dan. 9:3,
21,22, Acts 13:2-3.
j.) Help during severe trials. Acts 27:1-38.
Fasting is a source of power/benefit when used in combination with prayer and faith. This act humbles the soul, as it crucifies and denies the appetite, allowing us to devote our entire time to prayer. It is a time to meet out compassion and total forgiveness. Believers should therefore fast; with the individual desire and need regulating how often or for how long.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
When we as believers fast and pray to God for a specific issue, we cast away physical bread and cling to the spiritual Bread- Jesus Christ (John 6:35). We temporarily give up our substance (food) for our fleshly body and desire a closer communion or relationship with God. Scripture details the importance as well as benefits of fasting, as it brings us closer to the Throne of God. Fasting is beneficial spiritually, and physically, but at its best fasting helps only the person doing it. True fasting is more than what we don’t eat; it is pleasing God by applying His word to our society. (Isaiah 58:6-12). The Lord Jesus spoke to His disciples and to those who desired to follow Him.
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 6:16
“Moreover, when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Moses fasted.
Deut. 9:9-10:10
Tuesday: Ezra, Nehemiah fasted.
Ezra 10:6-17, Neh. 1:4
Wednesday: Esther-the Queen, and Mordecai fasted.
Esther 4:16-5:8
Thursday: Daniel fasted.
Dan. 10:3-13
Friday: The Lord Jesus fasted.
Matt. 4:1-11
Saturday: Apostle Paul fasted.
Acts 9:9, 27:9-11, 33-34