Week 7 – The Holy Habit of Fasting

Biblical Fasting Definition – Abstinence from food for spiritual purposes

Designed to root you in the Lord for the purpose of becoming more like Him 

It should be voluntary 

Types of fasting in scripture:

Normal – No food, but still drinking water (Matthew 4:2) 

Partial – Not eating certain types of food (Daniel 1) 

Absolute – No food, no water (Ezra 10:6) 

Supernatural – extended time frame (Deuteronomy 9:9) 

Private - Unobservable (Matthew 6:16-18) 

National Fast (2 Chronicles 2:3) 

Regular Scheduled – Like the Day of Atonement for the Jews 

Fasting should have a Biblical purpose or it is just a dietary fast.

Biblical Purposes for Fasting:

Strengthen Prayers (Ezra 8:23) 

Seeking God’s guidance 

Expressing Grief (1 Samuel 20:34) 

For Deliverance or Protection 

Expressing repentance and return to God (Joel 2) 

Humbling ourselves before God (1 Kings 21) 

Expressing concern for the work of God 

Ministering to the needs of others (Isaiah 58:6-7) 

To overcome temptation 

To express worship and love to God (Luke 2)