“Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored].” Joel 2:12

When a Churchgoer hears the word “Fast” (when not in reference to speed) they tend to commend those brave souls who participate, but Praise The Lord, they don’t have to…

In spite of popular opinion, Fasting in the literal sense has absolutely nothing to do with limiting Facebook, Twitter, or Social Media. ‘Abstinence’ is the word we are looking for here, but to “Fast” requires a combination of Prayer with a refusal to eat… for a time.

It is surprising how many Fasts are illustrated throughout Scriptures. Here are just a handful for your review:

• The Jesus Fast (Matthew 4:1-11): For SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT & VICTORY OVER THE FLESH & THE DEVIL. Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to do a 40 Day Fast. He was alone there and at the end of the Fast, the devil came to tempt His hungry flesh. When tempted, He simply fought back with The Word of God- (the only way to Fight temptation) and commanded that the devil leave!

• The Disciples Fast (Matthew 17:21): When the disciples fail to heal a boy with epilepsy, Jesus explains to them that certain demons can only leave a person through “Prayer and Fasting.” The “theme” of this Fast is to target an area in your life where you need DELIVERANCE from a bondage that has become a stronghold in your life.

• The Ezra Fast (Ezra 8:23): Ezra was given the treasure to build the Temple in Jerusalem, so he Prayed and Fasted that God would guard him and his riches along the journey… This Fast is often done when someone is facing a financial struggle. It does not have an outline of specific foods to eat while Fasting, rather, one main purpose of this Fast is to request God’s FINANCIAL PROTECTION.

• The Samuel Fast (1 Samuel 7): A Fast for REVIVAL- in your community, your nation, your world… In the midst of the Israelite people worshipping idols, Samuel charges them to seek the Lord, and to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem. The Israelites come together in Mizpah and Fast for one day as Samuel and the people plead for God’s forgiveness.

• The Elijah Fast (1 Kings 19): 40 Days and Nights of Fasting for NEGATIVE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HABITS. After Elijah flees Queen Jezebel, who threatened his life for killing all the 450 prophets of Baal, he is so mentally distressed from this one woman’s determination to kill him, he ironically asks the Lord to let him die. This Fast might be a good idea for someone struggling with a serious case of Depression or Bipolar Personality Disorder. These issues are very real and it may take an earnest Fast to break their hold on your life!

• The Widow’s Fast (1 Kings 17): God sent the prophet Elijah to a needy, starving widow and her son — ironically, so the widow could provide food for Elijah. Because she was obedient to Elijah’s request and then gave the last of what she had to take care of the Prophet, the Lord allowed this widow of Zarephath’s food to last throughout the entire famine. Today, the purpose of the Widow’s Fast is simply to give something up, in order to use that resource to PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDY.

• The Paul Fast (Acts 9:1-18): God made Himself known to Paul, formerly Saul, and gave Him DIRECTION on the Road to Damascus. Paul did not eat or drink for three days after his magnificent experience with God in which his sight was taken from him. During his Fast, Paul had a VISION of the man who would come and heal his eyes.

• The Esther Fast (Esther 4:16, 5:2): A Fast for PROTECTION From the EVIL ONE-Esther was told that her people would die because of a decree made by the king, if God did not do a miracle. To request their lives be saved would mean to come to the King without his summoning her; this was against the law and punishable by death. So Esther had the people Fast and Pray for 3 Days and 3 Nights to seek The Lord on her behalf that she may be accepted into the presence of the King and gain favor in His sight.

• The Daniel Fast (Daniel 10): The Daniel Fast is a Partial Fast found in Daniel 10 when Daniel mourns for his people Israel 21 Days -eating no meat or desirable foods, and drinking no wine. Many people combine the Daniel Fast with limitations given during a “competition” from Daniel 1, in which Daniel ate nothing but vegetables and drank nothing but water for 10 Days. You can do the 21 Day Fast or combine the two, the choice is up to you… During Daniel’s Fast God revealed many things to him through visions of future events to come. One reason many people choose this Fast is if they are seeking The Lord for PHYSICAL HEALTH.

These are Scriptural Fasts outlined for your prayerful consideration; however as you seek The Lord, He will lead you specifically. Fasting is a very powerful time as you separate yourself to focus all your attention on the Audience of One. May God reveal Himself to you in a unique and powerful way as you humble yourself, quiet your heart, and seek His face.

Catch the Wave,

Victoria