Fasting
A Biblical & Practical Background Paper
Jim Farrer 2011 Moderator of the Redstone Presbytery Healing Prayer Ministry Network
The dictionary defines fasting as voluntary abstaining from food, usually for a particular period of time. Most major world religions recognize its value. In modern times people have realized its political value, as in hunger strikes, its health value, as in abstaining from certain foods, and its value as an aid in weight control. Among the people of God, fasting has specific goals that render it more than merely abstaining from food.
Most experts say that the only public fast day prescribed by the Old Testament is the Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16: 29-31. But many times they held public fasts for mourning, preparation for war and repentance after a big sin or blunder. The true fast for the prophets was to break injustice and to help the hungry and lonely, Isaiah 58. The Pharisees fasted on the two public market days, perhaps to show off. The disciples of John the Baptist fasted to prepare for the Messiah. Jesus fasted 40 days to become attentive to the Holy Spirit, to discern the direction of his life, to develop his mission statement and to facedown the Satan. For Jesus, his fasting was to display his utter dependence upon his heavenly Father. His fasting was feasting on
The Early Church fasted before major decisions. St. John Chrysostom reminds us that abstinence is not only from food but from sins and should be kept by the mouth and all members of the body. John Calvin wrote that we fast to subdue the flesh (not the body), to be better prepared for prayer (and to discern beauty), and to be a means of confessing guilt. Institutes IV, XII, 15fQuaker Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline could not find one single book published on fasting between 1861 and 1954. In some eras it seemed to many that one of the main differences between Roman Catholics and Protestants was that they fasted and we didn't. Oxford Professor Eamon Duffy claims that the Second Vatican Council, 1960's, diminished the importance of Lenten and Friday fasts. But surprisingly, today new magazines, tabloids and Oprah all report on the Fasting Detox Diets that Hollywood actresses increasingly use to look skinny for movie roles.
Mark 9:29 Jesus said to his disciples about an unclean Spirit, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." Only the KJV & NKJV have this rendering, which is not the oldest/best New Testament manuscripts.
What kinds of Fasts are there? The most common are (a) water and (b) diluted juices or vegetable broths. The broth fast probably keeps electrolytes in the safest ranges. (c) Author Richard Foster recommends fasting "20th century style." He expands fasting to include abstaining from the media, from the glut of information, from the telephone (during meals, study, or prayer times), from criticism, etc. Fasting can help us leave the realm of distraction (the many) and center on the essential (the ultimate reality, the original and true God.)
How should one prepare for a Fast? It's mostly a mental thing; deciding to do it. Read about fasting. Pray. Decide if you should undertake one. (Those with special health problems should consult a physician before undertaking any kind of fast.) Decide what type of fast you should do. Mark off some time in your calendar.
Final thoughts
Food is not the most essential ingredient to sustain life. The greatest need is air, then water, then sleep, then food. Victor Frankl's research on prisoners of war would include meaning, purpose, and hope high on the list. Presbyterian Howard Rice says fasting is a method of becoming free from the idolatry of things and a way to discover the central meanings of both the feast of the Lord's Supper and the abundance of God's blessings. Arlo Duba, former worship professor at Princeton Seminary, says that after a 48-hour water fast, the brain releases chemicals that heighten awareness. This is why 2nd Century Church and the Roman Catholic Church had such fasts before the Easter communion services. Those who have practiced fasting as a form of spiritual discipline usually have found it beneficial for prayer as well as personally rewarding spiritually.
