Lesson 11 ~ May Second Week \
LOOKING AT FOUR TYPES OF FASTS
Background Reading:
2 Samuel 12:21; Zechariah 7:5; Jeremiah 14:12; Matthew 9:15
Devotional Reading:
Matthew 6:16-18
Central Verse:
“Therefore, also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”
Joel 2:12, KJV
“That is why the Lord says, turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping and mourning.”
Joel 2:12, NLT
Key Terms:
Hypoglycemia – Abnormal decrease of sugar in the blood.
Health issues – A condition or occurrence traceable to a cause in the general condition of the body.
Rotational– A state of rapid turning about on an axis or central point.
Introduction:
The believers know that fasting brings about a spiritual breakthrough for us, but we also understand that fasting is not as important as doing the will of God. We are aware that within ourselves, we can’t find answers to a desperate world that is seeking and crying out for people of character and integrity. We are crying out for answers on how to overcome the hurts, the sinful and destructive habits that have us in bondage. We are able to go to the Word of God and find the answers we need. Isaiah 58 has the answers. God’s fast will do several things; it loses the bands of wickedness, undoes heavy burdens, lets the oppressor go free, and breaks every yoke.
It provides food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, clothes for the naked, personal benefits, health, and worship on all levels.
The believers discovered that following God’s Word leads to good results and great success. We also realized that there are several different ways to fast when praying, so in this lesson, we will examine four types of fasts that lead to results.
Discussion:
The Bible gives many examples of men and women fasting, and each one gives the believer something to model our fast after. What works for one may not be the way that God will work for another person, but we know that God is not a respecter of persons, and when the believer follows the Word, it will work. The examples given in the Bible suggest different ways to practice helpful fasting.
The disciples saw a difference when they fasted, but Jesus had not given them any guidelines concerning fasting. In Matthew 6, Jesus told us not to fast for show, as the hypocrites did. He instructed us to put on a happy face, get rid of the sad face, anoint our heads, and wash our faces. He told us not to let the entire world know that we were fasting, to do it in privacy, and then let God reward us openly.
The four ways of fasting discussed in this lesson will provide very good guidelines for each believer to follow. Sometimes, it becomes necessary to make a few changes to fit each person’s lifestyle. But as believers pursue a greater walk with our Savior, these guidelines will help us
Fast number one is the normal fast, the most common and usual fast. This fast is going without food for a definite period during which the person takes in only liquids (water and or juice). It can be done in 1 day, three days, one week, one month, or 40 days. Extreme care must be taken with longer fasts, which should be attempted only after medical advice from one’s physician. This type of fast is not advised for people with underlying health problems and who have not sought the Lord concerning fasting.
The next fast is the absolute fast, which is the fast that allows no food or water at all and is usually kept short. It was typically all day Tuesday, Friday, or most, for three days. This is the fast that my generation grew up doing.
We were not allowed to eat or drink anything the entire fast. Moses and Jesus fasted for 40 days, but a supernatural power led these fasts, and we should never be attempted except by the Spirit of God. I have heard of people who tried to fast this length without good results. Unless the Spirit of the Lord speaks and leads you, do not attempt to do so.
The next fast is the partial fast, a fast that omits certain foods or is on a schedule with limited eating. This fast may consist of omitting one meal a day. Another partial fast may include eating only fresh vegetables for several days, sometimes called a Daniel Fast. Elijah practiced partial fast at least twice in the Bible. John the Baptist, Daniel, and the three Hebrew boys participated in partial fasts. Many people do this fast yearly for health benefits, especially hypoglycemia, but again, if a person has specific health issues, he should consult his physician. This fast has also been used to gain weight loss.
The final fast is a rotational fast, which consists of eating or omitting certain food families for designated periods. For example, grains may be eaten only every fourth day. The various families are rotated so that some food is available daily. The focus must be on ensuring that the person is fasting while getting healthy daily food. There must not be a day when the body is robbed of all nutrition, hence the rotation.
Conclusion:
The Spirit and the Body are so interrelated in God’s creative design that fasting has both spiritual as well as physical benefits. If every believer would fast, it would shake the very core of the society we are a part of. It would show the world that our faith is imperative and that God Almighty rules in this world. This world would see a mighty move forward in evangelism and outreach in communities we have never seen before.
God is yet asking His children to turn to Him with all our hearts fasting as He did in the days of the Prophet Joel. God wants the effects of the believers’ fasting to be evidenced beyond the mere private and personal lives. He desires a supernatural move that will speak and move unbelievers and believers. He reminded Zechariah that just as they fasted during captivity during the fifth and seventh month, He is the same God, and if it worked then, it would continue to work now.
Questions:
1. Why does God delight in the people fasting?
2. What are some of the ways to fast?
3. How does fasting affect believers? affect believers?
Essential Thought:
Fasting with a pure heart bring pure results.