Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
”
Questions & Answers about
Fasting for Christians
Fasting Everyone has questions about fasting. No one hears about it much in church anymore.
Of all the teachings of Jesus, one of the least talked about is fasting. Consequently,
most people tend to wonder about fasting. They associate it with something weird or
fanatical. Few people view fasting as something that can bring abundant blessings to
the one who participates in it. Included in this booklet are some of the most common
questions people ask about fasting. To answer these questions we began with the Bible.
A Biblical Guide Additional books that help us paint a clearer picture of fasting include – Celebration of
Discipline by Richard J. Foster and The Coming Revival: America’s Call to Fast, Pray, and
“Seek God’s Face” by Bill Bright.
* * * * *
Fasting and prayer were an integral part of the Early Church, but in medieval times,
fasting as a discipline came to be frowned upon. Most people saw it as a harsh, severe
practice, better suited for monks in monasteries than “normal” life. Throughout the
centuries that followed, fasting and prayer were revived periodically, usually during the
great revivals like the First and Second Great Awakenings. Spiritual leaders like John
Wesley, Martin Luther and others all practiced and proclaimed the benefits of fasting.
In the last century, however, fasting has once again become a lost concept in the
church. When author Richard Foster wanted to research it, he could not find one book
on the subject published between 1861 and 1954.
Fasting is mentioned throughout the Bible in personal and corporate settings. For 3,000
years the Jewish people have celebrated Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, as a fast
and a time for humility and repentance before the Lord. In Joel, the Lord commanded
the people to “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourn-
Christian STtudent Fellowship ing… Return to the Lord your God” (Joel 2:12-13). Jesus spoke of fasting in the same
way he spoke of prayer and giving, as part of a natural Christian lifestyle. The question
is not Should I fast?, but Will I fast?
But is fasting a commandment? Where does God make clear that He requires us to
fast today? Will God always answer and give me what I ask if I add fasting to my prayers?
There is no specific commandment in the New Testament that commands us to fast. No. God is not a cosmic vending machine. He only answers prayers that are in
However, most authorities agree that if the command was not specifically made, it harmony with His will and His purpose for our lives. In many ways, fasting is simply
seems to have been assumed. Jesus himself fasted forty days in the wilderness before another way to glorify God. When you fast, you set aside everything and proclaim to
he began his ministry, and spoke of fasting as though it were a normal act that God that you are so serious you are going to focus on nothing but Him. If you are
Christians would perform. The Apostle Paul said he was “in fasting often” and the bringing a specific petition to the Lord, you are indicating to Him that you are serious
Church in Acts fasted and prayed over the appointment of their leaders. As we strive to about going the extra mile to see His will carried out in that matter.
follow Christ’s example, we would do well to take this practice into consideration.
Do I fast for myself or for someone else?
Isn’t fasting practiced by other religions?
The Scripture contains examples for both fasting for personal needs and fasting for
Yes. Fasting is practiced by Hindus, Muslims, and others for a variety of reasons, loved ones, nations, and even enemies. Your fasting is a way to bring your most urgent
including religious piety and improved health. Christians, however, are the only ones and serious requests before God, the focus should always be to glorify Him. Without
who fast to give glory to God, and therefore are the only ones who can know the that focus, fasting deteriorates into little more than trying to bribe God with your
special blessings that come with spiritual fasting. “holiness”. Instead, concentrate on listening to God once you have told Him of your
requests and as you fast, try to worship Him in all You do.
I just don’t feel the need to fast.
I’m thinking about fasting, but how do I know when I’m supposed to do it?
This may be true, but if you are praying for guidance or spiritual discernment, the Holy
Spirit may be leading you to fast. The Bible makes clear that a true spiritual fast, done There will be times in your life when you will feel a specific prompting of the Holy Spirit to
with a humble heart, will change many things. After you have fasted once or twice, fast and pray, but once you understand true spiritual fasting, you are free to proclaim a
you will begin to see a huge difference between before and after your fasting in your season of fasting whenever you sense a desire to draw close to God in a dynamic way.
spiritual walk. Maybe you feel the need to seek special help from Him. As you become more
accustomed to fasting, you will learn to recognize situations that may be helped by the
I just don’t have the time! presence of fasting.
Time is a gift from God that we are free to spend as we choose. If you spend a lot of Is it possible for a Christian to get ‘caught up’ in fasting and go too far with it?
time watching TV, surfing the internet, or doing other non-essential leisure activities,
consider putting that time into prayer while you fast. Also, don’t forget that not eating We need to think of fasting in terms of balance, as we should in all areas of our lives.
meals frees up two or three hours that you can spend with God as you fast. More fasting does not necessarily mean more spiritual benefits. When you begin to
become legalistic about fasting, you’ve gone too far. Fasting is under grace and it is
How does fasting ‘unto the Lord’ benefit me spiritually? only one part of the Christian life.
Fasting with a pure heart and motive will bring you close to God. James 4:8,10 says, Do I need an organized plan or schedule to follow for my fast?
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Humble yourselves before the Lord
and He will lift you up.” Fasting is a way to humble ourselves and concentrate on what In the beginning, a schedule is wise because it will help you plan your day and include
God is saying to us. It helps us tune out distractions, brings personal revival, and adds time with God in your routine activities. As you grow more experienced with fasting, you
power to our prayers. may not need to follow a schedule so rigidly, but instead can listen carefully for the Holy
Spirit’s leading which will direct your fast. However, a simple schedule in the beginning
will enable you to concentrate without numerous distractions and take your mind off
Will fasting ruin my health?
food.
Christian nutritionist Julio C. Ruibol says, “Fasting is a natural physiological process. It is
Should I consult my doctor before I fast? also a Biblical concept that was practiced during difficult times. So, from both the
Scriptural and scientific point of view, we can have confidence that fasting is not
If you have health problems that you think might be increased by fasting, or you plan to harmful, but rather beneficial when properly carried out.” This view is supported by
go on an extended fast, seeing a doctor is recommended. There are certain conditions other experts in the field of fasting and nutrition. Fasting can actually help your body,
that people should not fast with, and one of them is if you do not believe in fasting or because many toxins are flushed from the bloodstream during a time of no eating. This
you have serious doubts about it. However, almost anyone in good health who feels may seem unusual, but people on extended fasts many times have said that after the
called to it can undertake a twenty-four hour fast with few or no ill effects. first week, they actually feel better, had more energy, and could think more clearly.
How does God want me to fast? How can I prepare for a fast?
There are many fasts in the Bible of different lengths. You can set the amount of time 1) Set a specific goal for the fast. Why are you fasting — for spiritual renewal,
you feel is appropriate and honoring to God. However, if you are a beginner in fasts, guidance, healing, resolution of problems, or special grace to handle a difficult
you should begin with shorter fasts before working up to more extended periods of time. situation? Do you seek the salvation of a loved one or some other thing that you
There are three main types of fasts: believe to be in God’s will for you? Are you praying for revival in America or your
community?
Partial Fast—A person abstains from most but not all food and drink. The most popular 2) Prepare yourself spiritually. This means that before you begin, spend some time
fast in this form is the juice fast, which is recommended for beginners in fasting, and getting right with God and confessing your sins. Heart Searching, For Prayer
allows for the drinking of juice and herbal tea in addition to water. Preparation and Personal Revival is a good handbook to guide the confession of
these sins. Be especially aware of specific issues that God may point out in your life
Biblical Fast—A person abstains from all food and drinks nothing but water. This was the as needing to be changed. You may want to include the resolution of these in your
traditional fast in the Bible and is still practiced by the Jews who celebrate Yom Kippur fasting goals.
today. 3) Prepare yourself physically. Don’t rush into a fast, especially an extended one.
Consult your doctor if you think medical concerns may interfere, and on a fast of
Absolute Fast—A person abstains from all food AND water for a short amount of time, more than one or two days begin to wean yourself from food by eating less a day or
usually no more than three days. Fasts like this are generally reserved only for two before you begin.
emergencies and extremely urgent situations. They should not be undertaken without a 4) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the kind of fast He wants you to undertake. Will
direct and clear mandate from the Lord. you fast with juices or only water? Is God calling you to one meal a day, one day a
week, or several days or weeks at a time? Token fasts, such as giving up chocolate
What about work and my normal activities? Should I take time off to fast? for Lent, are good, but not always useful in prayer life. If you decide to drink juices
on your fast, stay away from acidic juices like orange juice and tomato juice
A short fast, composed of one to three days, should not have any ill-effect on the because of their acidic content as well as juices high in sugar content. The best
person fasting, unless they are constantly involved in heavy physical exertion. However, juices are fresh cabbage, beet, celery, carrot, grape, and apple juice. Also, stay
for extended fasts, it is wise to take into consideration what type of work you do, how away from caffeine and do not chew gum, as it will activate the enzymatic
long you will be fasting and what type of fast it will be. You may wish to cut down on processes in your stomach and increase hunger pangs. Plan a schedule for when
your normal activities not only to rest more but to give yourself more time with God. you will drink juices and which types of juice you will drink.
During an extended fast, it is also wise to restrict physical exercise or recreation as well. 5) Limit your activity level. Exercise only moderately and rest often. Expect some
hunger pangs and possibly headaches, nausea, and cotton mouth. These things
will pass, but you must be prepared for them.
6) Consider your medications. Again, consult your doctor if you have any doubts
about your physical ability to fast.
7) Set aside ample time to be with the Lord. This is most important, because it is what
you are fasting for. There is little joy in going without food physically if you are not Important Biblical References to Fasting
replacing it with food spiritually. Let God take care of your hunger, and even think
of stopping to pray over hunger pangs. You will be amazed at the power of God to ** Ezra 8:21-23 ** Nehemiah 9:1-3 ** Esther 4:15-16 **
transform you. ** Psalm 35:13 ** Joel 2:12-17 ** Matthew 6:1618 **