There are also absolute fasts recorded in the Bible. He doesn’t say “if,” but “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16). Occasionally, fasts in Bible times were three days (Esther 4:16) or even seven days (1 Samuel 31:13). In a sense, everyone fasts. i noticed somewhere in Matthew it mentioned something like "When you fast, dont be like the hypocrites..." but what does the bible say about how or when we should fast… Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, Zondervan Publishing House. As Paul amplified in Romans, fasting is an individual concern between us and Jesus Christ, who is our judge. The Bible has only one command regarding fasting: God's people are commanded to fast on the Day of Atonement from sundown to sundown (Leviticus 23:27-32 Leviticus 23:27-32 [27] Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation to you; and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. Christian fasting - what does the Bible say? While early Christians were not required to fast, many practiced prayer and fasting regularly. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaia... it might depend on what youre fasting for. Ezra 10:6 does not say specifically how long his fast was (though there is indication that it lasted 3 days while waiting for the people to gather). A healthy person who is not perspiring much can go without food and water for about three days before the body begins to be stressed. People in the Bible fasted and prayed because they wanted something specific to happen. and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? This rule has two exceptions: First, if a priest celebrated more than one Mass on the same day, as oftentimes happens on Sunday, he is only bound to the one hour fast before the first Mass. Matthew 6:16-18 “And when you fast , do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Implicit in the words “And whenever you fast” is the assumption that fasting would be a part of the religious life of the disciples, but Jesus never commanded the disciples to fast. Jesus expects us to fast. Matthew 6:16 humility reward Be careful not to fast too frequently; allow your body sufficient time to rebuild nutritional reserves. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial. It is not explicitly commanded in the New Testament that we must fast, but it is inferred that we will. © 1995–2021 All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@ucg.org. Being forty days tempted of the devil. [30] And whatever soul it be that does any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. The Bible mentions three kinds of fasts: Absolute Fast: No food or water. Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in to the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. Thoughts ? “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: Is it not to share your food with the hungry, and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—. God does not require or demand it of Christians. Fasting of any length should be approached as an all important tool to draw closer to God. The Bible does tell us that he did not eat any bread and only drank water during this fast. A popular diet is the Daniel diet of "pulse.". Also, fasting should have a clear purpose. Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow | Learn more... With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! 16:29; 23:29). Very nice article, I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this to my followers. The difference is that he spoke on our appearance when we fast. When we are in bed asleep, we go without any food or drink. Some can't fast at all because of medical issues. Normal Fast: Abstaining from food. Upon Sauls conversion in Acts 9:9, he immediately went on an absolute fast for three days, having neither food nor water. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. ? When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I stayed in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water: And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. Thus, the amazingly long 40-day fasts by Moses, Elijah and Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 9:9 Deuteronomy 9:9When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I stayed in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:American King James Version×; 1 Kings 19:8 1 Kings 19:8And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.American King James Version×; Luke 4:2 Luke 4:2Being forty days tempted of the devil. What does the Bible say about how to fast? [29] For whatever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. Fasting is for one's spiritual health, which involves abstaining from food and drink while spending a lot of extra time in prayer and Bible study. Still have questions? How long we might safely fast depends on our individual health. The Septuagint With Apocrypha, Henrickson Publishers. Answer: The New Testament nowhere commands followers of Jesus Christ to fast.In fact, even in the Old Testament, the Jews were only commanded to fast on one day out of the year, the Day of … Should All Christians Fast? Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. The passage comes to mind about what is the fast that the Lord desires! Get answers by asking now. The body can go for a number of days without food, but cannot go for long periods without water. Another option is a partial fast such as that mentioned in Daniel 10:3 Daniel 10:3I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.American King James Version×. [34] And he said to them, Can you make the children of the bridal chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? The passage comes to mind about what is the fast that the Lord desires! This page is also available in: العربية (Arabic) Français (French) हिन्दी (Hindi) Angels can fly faster than the speed of light. To learn about the meaning of the Day of Atonement and its accompanying fasting, please request our free booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. But Jesus fasted forty days and nights so that we could feast with him in heaven. When deciding how long to fast, consider when the time is right and you can be truly devoted to the process, instead of trying to squeeze them into a too-busy life. Atheists and Christians. Most of my fasts are private, extended water-only fasts. 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. Fasting is not an end unto itself, but a means of focusing our minds and bodies for a spiritual reason. It is not something that God requires or demands of Christians. What he had to say about fasting was very similar to prayer. To fast does not require any specific period of time. The following article is recommended, “What does the Bible say about foreplay and sex in marriage?” Also, check out the suggested links below. Often a person will work up the period of time that can be endured with out loss of health. There is no NT Christian command to fast. American King James Version×), but He did not specify how long or how often. God may be calling you to fast. Both types offer great spiritual … Here one takes in only as much food and/or water as necessary to be safe and spends extra time in prayer, Bible study and meditation. i think its different for each circumstance. Are Palestinians the same race as the Jewish people? black people have up to 19-percent genomic contribution from unidentified archaic hominids making them less human than non-blacks. That is fasting. Severe pain and discomfort may mean you have attempted too much, too soon. Jesus assumes his followers will fast, and even promises it will happen. Prior to 1964, the Eucharistic fast began at midnight. However, the Bible does say that fasting is a profitable and beneficial spiritual discipline. 1982. p. 37 2. New King James Version “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. Zechariah 8:19: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. Answer: Scripture does not command Christians to fast. Then Google "types of fasts" to find one suitable for you. Helpful Bible Verses about Fasting Both the Old Testament and New Testament teach the value of fasting, which is abstaining from food or drink in order to focus on prayer and seeking God's will. Fast Days in the Bible God commanded His people to fast one day a year, on the Day of Atonement. The length of time that someone fasts should always be the length that is right for them at the time. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). To fast does not require any specific period of time. (And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.) A partial fast is … And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungry. While a 24-hour period is the most common length for fasting, any amount of time can be chosen, depending on your particular situation. That is why the first meal of the day is called breakfast. Of course you'll have a goal in mind when you begin, but don't be too inflexible to end the fast should your body signal. Although the Bible doesn’t give a direct command on this issue, examples of fasting appear in both the Old and the New Testaments. Matthew 6:16a, “and when you fast…” (ESV) At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and expected. He simply assumed that they would do so. Before you fast, decide the following up front: How long you will fast—one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.) When we fast, others should not know that we are fasting unless we are doing so with corporate body. and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. The early Christians fasted because they were Jews as well. It is biblical; Jesus did it (Matthew 4:2). Well, if you want to follow the Bible literalistically your going to have to fast for 40 days and 40 nights. If you've never fasted before, a commitment of a day may be easier to accomplish and will familiarize you with the process. In the book of Acts, believers in the new church fasted together before making important decisions (Acts 13:2, 14:23), and fasting is often combined with prayer, especially prayers of particular import (Luke 2:37, 5:33). And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungry.American King James Version×) were possible only by God's supernatural intervention. So how often we fast closely relates to how long we fast. However, when people speak of fasting, they usually mean a longer period of time of deliberately choosing not to eat and drink. Can someone explain to me the thought process of Atheist trolls? Jesus gave some instructions for fasting when He taught that we should do it secretly and not for the praise or admiration of others (Matthew 6:16–18; Mark 2:20). [35] But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. There is no biblical instruction. What does the Bible say about how to fast? Gleason L. Archer. Those interested in longer-term fasts are advised to break their fast if and when “true hunger” appears. This, too, can be very profitable spiritually. Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away. Privacy Policy  Terms of Use. Question: "Christian fasting - what does the Bible say?" And he wrote on the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. And on three occasions, fasts lasted 40 days: Moses receiving the 10 Commandments (Exodus 34:28), Elijah encountering God (1 Kings 19:8), and Jesus being tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4). Some people fast religiously, almost without direction. Why should we fast? And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. King James Bible 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. You can sign in to give your opinion on the answer. Then, the concern will not be whether we fast, but when. Fasting is not a question of if but when. Fasting is mentioned over 70 times throughout Scripture. Sir Lancelot Brenton. [31] You shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. United Church of God is a 501(c)3 organization. Scripture does not command Christians to fast. Remember, fasting is for one's spiritual health, which involves abstaining from food and drink while spending a lot of extra time in prayer and Bible study (Exodus 34:28 Exodus 34:28And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. References: 1. If that’s the case, then check your motive. For New Testament believers, fasting was neither commanded nor forbidden in the Bible. While a 24-hour period is the most common length for fasting, any amount of time can be chosen, depending on your particular situation. In his article, What Christians Need to Know about Fasting, Sam Storms talks about the different ways Christians fast from food or drink: There is a regular fast which consists of abstaining from all food and drink except for water (Matthew 4:2–3; Luke 4:2).Apart from supernatural enablement, the body can function only three days without water. If you still choose to fast then make certain you are healthy enough. Jesus said, “ when you fast” not “if you fast” (Matthew 6:16-18). The ability to fast is learned and is not to be done with out training. (17) Since the time of Moses the Israelites had been required to fast annually on the Day of Atonement (Lev. It's up to the individual. Remember, fasting is for one's spiritual health, which involves abstaining from food and drink while spending a lot of extra time in prayer and Bible study ( Exodus 34:28. What do you think of the answers? Jesus makes the assumption that we will fast. The ability to fast is learned and is not to be done with out training. Remain flexible. We encourage those with health problems to consult a qualified medical practitioner before fasting. American King James Version×). Fasting is voluntarily going without food — or any other regularly enjoyed, good gift from God — for the sake of some spiritual purpose. This is the most demanding type of fast and is therefore likely to be the most effective. Why do Christians celebrate Jesus birthday on December 25th, when he was born in Spring? Setting a time frame seems to be the biblical approach (Esther 4:16). And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. When Does the Bible Say to Fast? Thanks!. Always ask God for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to how and for how long He wants you to fast. And he wrote on the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.American King James Version×; Ezra 10:6 Ezra 10:6Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.American King James Version×; Esther 4:16 Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in to the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.American King James Version×; Acts 9:9 Acts 9:9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.American King James Version×). 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