A. INTRODUCTION TO FASTING
1. Christian fasting is a non-required discipline that:
a. Alters your diet,
b. Eliminates food and/or drink,
c. For a biblical purpose,
d. Accompanied with prayer.
B. KINDS OF FASTS
1. The Normal fast is going without food for a certain period of time, drinking only liquid (water and/or juice).
2. The Absolute fast, no water or food at all. Should be short.
3. The Partial fast, omitting certain foods on a schedule of limited eating, i.e., only one meal a day, only vegetables, etc.
4. The Wesley fast is eating only bread (whole grains) and water.
5. The Rotation fast is eating or omitting certain families of food for a designated time. Some food is eaten every day. The Mayo Clinic fast is eating only one food group a day, omitting the other food groups, used as medical research to determine reaction (allergies) to a particular food group.
6. The Supernatural fast.
C. THE NINE FASTS IN SCRIPTURES
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard” (Isa. 58:6-8).
D. WHAT FASTS ACCOMPLISH
1. The Apostle’s Fast:
? Issue: To free oneself from addiction to sin.
? Verse: “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21, KJV).
2. The Ezra Fast:
? Issue: To solve problems.
? Verse: “So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer” (Ezra 8:22).
3. The Samuel Fast:
? Issue: To bring evangelism and revival.
? Verse: “So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. And they fasted that day” (1 Samuel 7:6).
4. The Elijah Fast:
? Issue: To solve emotional and mental problems.
? Verse: “He (Elijah) . . . went in the strength of that meat forty days” (1 Kings 19:8).
5. The Widow’s Fast:
? Issue: To provide for physical needs of others.
? Verse: “Is it (the fast) not to share your bread with the hungry?” (Isaiah 58:7).
6. The Saint Paul Fast:
? Issue: To make life-changing decisions.
? Verse: “He was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank” (Acts 9:9).
7. The Daniel Fast:
? Issue: For physical health or healing.
? Verse: “Test your servants ten days . . . give us vegetables to eat and water to drink” (Daniel 1:12).
8. The John the Baptist Fast:
? Issue: For your testimony.
? Verse: “He will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink” (Luke 1:15).
9. The Esther Fast:
? Issue: For protection from the evil one.
? Verse: “Gather all the Jews . . . fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maiden and I will fast likewise” (Esther 4:16).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc.
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Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com.
