How to fast and what is fasting

1. FASTING
Lesson 8
Key Verses: Matt.6:16-18

2. 16 "Moreover, when you fast, do
not be like the hypocrites, with a
sad countenance. For they
disfigure their faces that they may
appear to men to be fasting.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have
their reward. 17 But you, when you
fast, anoint your head and wash
your face, 18 so that you do not
appear to men to be fasting, but to
your Father who is in the secret
place; and your Father who sees in
secret will reward you openly.”

3. I. FASTING IS A LIFESTYLE
FOR CHRISTIANS
A. Fasting is abstaining from solid
food or nutrients usually
accompanied by prayer.

4. B. Jesus expects every believer to
fast because He says: “When
you fast” (vv.16-17)

5. FASTING IN THE NEW
TESTAMENT
` Fasting is taught and practiced
not only during the Old
Testament times but even during
the New Testament.

6. THE EXAMPLES OF FASTING
Jesus Himself Fasted
1 “Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy
Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2
being tempted for forty days by the devil.
And in those days He ate nothing, and
afterward, when they had ended, He was
hungry.
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the
Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went
out through all the surrounding region.”
(Luke 4:1-2,14)

7. The Early Church Fasted
1“Now in the church that was at Antioch
there were certain prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been
brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and
Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and
fasted, the Holy Spirit said,"Now separate
to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to
which I have called them." 3 Then, having
fasted and prayed, and laid hands on
them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13:1-3)

8. THE PURPOSES OF FASTING
1.Receiving Power
All the miracles of Jesus were done
after His prayer and fasting. So,
“Jesus returned in the power of the
Spirit” (v.14)

9. 2. Receiving Direction
2 “As they ministered to the Lord
and fasted, the Holy Spirit said,
"Now separate to Me Barnabas
and Saul for the work to which I
have called them." 3 Then, having
fasted and prayed, and laid hands
on them, they sent them away.”
(Acts 13:2-3)

10. 21 And when they had preached the
gospel to that city and made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra,
Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting
them to continue in the faith, and
saying, "We must through many
tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
23 So when they had appointed elders
in every church, and prayed with
fasting, they commended them to the
Lord in whom they had believed.
(Acts 14:21-23)
3. Appointing Leaders

11. 4. Deliverance Ministry
“However, this kind does not go out
except by prayer and fasting."
(Matt.17:21)

12. FASTING IN THE OLD
TESTAMENT
Isaiah 58:6,8-9

13. 6 "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?
8 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. 9 Then
you shall call, and the LORD will
answer; You shall cry, and He will say,
'Here I am.…” (Isaiah 58:6,8-9)

14. Benefits of Fasting
A. Loose the bonds of wickedness
Fasting is the best way to discipline
the body
“But I discipline my body and bring it
into subjection, lest, when I have
preached to others, I myself should
become disqualified.” (I Cor. 9:27)
.

15. B. Undo heavy burdens
Some examples of people
under heavy burdens are those
who are depressed or suffer
depression, or those under the
spirit of poverty.

16. C. Let the oppressed go free
Some examples of people who are
under oppression are those who fall
into various temptation because of
harassment of the enemy in the mind.

17. D. Break every yoke
Some examples of people under the
yoke of bondage are those who are
being dragged by the enemy toward
unrighteousness, vices and sins using
their wickedness.

18. E. Healing
“Your healing shall spring forth
speedily” v.8

19. F. Strong Presence of God
“You shall cry and He will say: Here
I am” (v.9)

20. KINDS OF
FASTING

21. A. Ordinary Fasting – abstaining from
solid food or nutrients, but may be
done by drinking water and/or fruit
juices.

22. B. Total Fasting – complete abstinence
from all kinds of food and liquid.

23. C. Partial Fasting – the one fasting does
not eat “pleasant food”. An example
of this is found in Dan.10:3
“I ate no pleasant food, no meat or
wine came into my mouth, nor did I
anoint myself at all, till three whole
weeks were fulfilled.” (Dan 10:3)

24. PRACTICAL THINGS TO
REMEMBER ABOUT FASTING

25. A. Drink plenty of clean water
(8-12 glasses) a day.

26. B. Be very careful in breaking a long
fast by eating only a very small
amount at first.

27. C. Total fasting may be done only upon
clear and express command of the
Lord.

28. FASTING CAN BE DECLARED BY
LEADERS
Queen Esther, for example, asked the
Jews to fast when an order to destroy
them was given by King Ahasuerus
(Esther 4:16-17, 8:1-17).

29. Jonah. The people of Nineveh believed
God because of Jonah’s experience.
They also proclaimed a fast (Jonah 3:5-
10).

30. FAST AND PRAY
“However, this kind does not go out
except by prayer and fasting."
(Matt.17:21)