Fasting & Praying GuideSample
Let’s start with a definition. What is fasting?
To begin, we should say something about what fasting is not. First, fasting is not the same as simply abstaining. It has become fashionable lately tospeak of “fasting” when we set aside things in our life like social media, video games, or entertainment. While these practices are good and important for Christians to do on a regular basis, they are not the same thing as fasting. Second, fasting is not a diet. It is not an attempt to lose weight or get the body back into shape.
So, what is fasting? Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. Fasting is voluntary because it is a choice. It is something we do after the example of our Lord.
The Bible does not prescribe a specific length of time for fasting. The most common examples are for one day (Lev. 23:32; Judg. 20:26; 2 Sam. 1:12), but other examples include three days (Esther 4:16), seven days (1 Sam. 31:13), twenty-one days (Dan. 10:3), or even forty days (Exod. 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8; Matt. 4:2). Some fasts are corporate fasts, where several people participate in the fast together, but many fasts are performed only by individuals.
REFLECTION
As we read through the entirety of God’s Word, there are so many reasons and examples for fasting: as a rhythm and discipline—weekly, festivals, yearly; as a habit—‘as was His custom’; in mourning, in celebration, in transition, and in preparation. Fasting is practiced for counsel, revelation, inspiration, healing, and preparation for a specific task or new season. It can also be for the needs of loved ones, salvation, the church, or the persecuted.
What’s clear is that fasting is a consistent pattern and discipline throughout the Scriptures.
What is your primary reason for fasting in this particular season?
About this Plan
This fasting guide is meant to accompany a 21-day fast. For each week, we will look first at the example of Jesus’ fasting and temptation in the wilderness. Then we will attempt to draw out important biblical teachings to edify our souls as we fast from food and feast on God. The goal of this is to experience for ourselves what it means to live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).
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We would like to thank OneHope for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://www.onehope.net