FASTING

Lesson 2

When And Why You Should Fast

(Three Biblical Reasons To Fast)

As with anything putting a demand on the flesh, we must often answer the “Why?” “Why should we fast?” Or perhaps, “When should we fast?” The Bible very clearly spells out three unique situations requiring fasting. This lesson will look at each of those three scenarios. We will begin with the least obvious reason to fast.

1. Fasting During A Time Of Loss And Sorrow

This may be the least known and least used reason to fast. Fasting can provide spiritual help in a time of mourning. We know that often during a time of emotional trauma one may lose their appetite. This is not what we are referring to. The Bible teaches fasting as an intended affliction of soul, meaning, something you purpose to do. Fasting during a time of mourning can help you speed this season up and cause you to quickly find joy again.

The men of Jabesh-Gilead fasted for seven days at the news of King Saul’s death. This time length might have been in honor of King Saul’s seven-day victory he fought for them (1 Samuel 31:11-13).
David and his men fasted for a day at the news of King Saul’s death (2 Samuel 1:1- 12).
Nehemiah fasted when he received the news of Jerusalem’s fallen and desolate condition (Nehemiah 1:2-5).
When the Jews received the word that Haman had tricked King Ahasuerus into issuing a death sentence to all Jews in the kingdom, there was great mourning and fasting (Esther 4:3).
Daniel mourned and fasted pleasant bread over a divine revelation he had received from God Almighty (Daniel 10:1-9).
Isaiah 58:6 teaches us fasting can “loose the bands of wickedness,” and “let the oppressed go free.” The original Hebrew gives us better insight. It says, “to loose the pangs and grief of injustice and harm,” and “lets the grievously oppressed, discouraged, and bruised go free.”

Fasting appears to provide a supernatural way to speed up what some would call “the healing process” in times of emotional anguish and mourning. Amazingly, when sad, the flesh would choose to gorge itself on ice cream and chocolates in an attempt to comfort itself, rather than act on the biblical answer of fasting.

2. Fasting As A Sign Of True Repentance Or To Find Repentance

Since fasting is a time to “afflict your soul,” fasting can often coincide with repentance from sin. Fasting reflects the anguish you feel for the particular sin you have committed and can also work to deliver you from the bonds of this sin. Fasting can help you get truly delivered from this old familiar sin.

Israel repented from Baal worship with fasting (1 Samuel 7:3-8).
Ahab repented for being a perverse king with fasting. God took note of it and changed His judgment (1 Kings 21:17-29).
In Nehemiah’s day, Israel repented for neglecting the Law with fasting (Nehemiah 9:1).
David corrected his soul with fasting (Psalm 69:7-13).
After Jonah’s turn-or-burn message to Nineveh, everyone, including the cattle fasted because of their sin. God saw it and had mercy (Jonah 3:5-10).
Daniel repented for the sins of Israel with fasting (Daniel 9:3-15).
In Joel, the LORD commanded Israel to turn to the Him with all of their heart and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning (Joel 2:12).
Isaiah 58:8 teaches us fasting will allow our light (fellowship with Jesus) to break forth as the morning. Healing shall come and our righteousness (clean living) will go before us. This is a picture of true repentance.

3. Fasting To Seek God Or When You Need An Answer

This may be the best-known reason for fasting: to seek God. There seems to be a spiritual law—fasting amplifies your cry unto God and allows you to seek Him, find Him, and be heard of Him in a stronger manner than is afforded in normal prayer or prayer apart from fasting.

Israel fasted and sought God when they needed military help against their brother- tribe Benjamin in a rape case (Judges 20:1-48).
David fasted and sought God for the life of his infant son (2 Samuel 12:14-23).
Jehoshaphat declared a fast for military victory (2 Chronicles 20:1-15).
Ezra and his group of men fasted and sought God for direction and protection for their journey back to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:21-23).
Esther prayed and fasted for three days in hopes of obtaining favor from her husband the king (Esther 4:15-17).
God told Jeremiah concerning sinful Israel, “When they fast, I will not hear their cry.” So fasting affects how you are heard in Heaven (Jeremiah 14:10-12).
Cornelius fasted and sought God, and an angel appeared to him and gave him directions on how to get saved (Acts 10:1-8, 30).
The early Church’s prophets and teachers sought God with prayers and fasting. The Holy Ghost would speak causing people to be set in their proper positions in the Church (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23).
Isaiah 58:4 states fasting will cause your voice to be heard on high.
Isaiah 58:9 teaches us fasting will allow you to call out to God and He will answer you and say, “Here I am.”
Isaiah 58:11 teaches fasting will allow the LORD to guide you continually.

So, whether you are seeking God, you’re mourning, sad, or depressed, or you’re sinful and dirty, fasting can aid you in your need for help. When do you need to fast? We should rather ask, “When do you want help?”

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FASTING

Lesson 2

When And Why You Should Fast

(Three Biblical Reasons To Fast)

1. Fasting During A Time Of Loss And Sorrow

The men of Jabesh-Gilead fasted for seven days at the news of King Saul’s death. This time length might have been in honor of King Saul’s seven-day victory he fought for them (1 Samuel 31:11-13).

David and his men fasted for a day at the news of King Saul’s death (2 Samuel 1:1- 12).

Nehemiah fasted when he received the news of Jerusalem’s fallen and desolate condition (Nehemiah 1:2-5).

When the Jews received the word that Haman had tricked King Ahasuerus into issuing a death sentence to all Jews in the kingdom, there was great mourning and fasting (Esther 4:3).

Daniel mourned and fasted pleasant bread over a divine revelation he had received from God Almighty (Daniel 10:1-9).

Isaiah 58:6 teaches us fasting can “loose the bands of wickedness,” and “let the oppressed go free.” The original Hebrew gives us better insight. It says, “to loose the pangs and grief of injustice and harm,” and “lets the grievously oppressed, discouraged, and bruised go free.”

2. Fasting As A Sign Of True Repentance Or To Find Repentance

Israel repented from Baal worship with fasting (1 Samuel 7:3-8).

Ahab repented for being a perverse king with fasting. God took note of it and changed His judgment (1 Kings 21:17-29).

In Nehemiah’s day, Israel repented for neglecting the Law with fasting (Nehemiah 9:1).

David corrected his soul with fasting (Psalm 69:7-13).

After Jonah’s turn-or-burn message to Nineveh, everyone, including the cattle fasted because of their sin. God saw it and had mercy (Jonah 3:5-10).

Daniel repented for the sins of Israel with fasting (Daniel 9:3-15).

In Joel, the LORD commanded Israel to turn to the Him with all of their heart and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning (Joel 2:12).

Isaiah 58:8 teaches us fasting will allow our light (fellowship with Jesus) to break forth as the morning. Healing shall come and our righteousness (clean living) will go before us. This is a picture of true repentance.

3. Fasting To Seek God Or When You Need An Answer

This may be the best-known reason for fasting: to seek God. There seems to be a spiritual law—fasting amplifies your cry unto God and allows you to seek Him, find Him, and be heard of Him in a stronger manner than is afforded in normal prayer or prayer apart from fasting.

Israel fasted and sought God when they needed military help against their brother- tribe Benjamin in a rape case (Judges 20:1-48).

David fasted and sought God for the life of his infant son (2 Samuel 12:14-23).

Jehoshaphat declared a fast for military victory (2 Chronicles 20:1-15).

Ezra and his group of men fasted and sought God for direction and protection for their journey back to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:21-23).

Esther prayed and fasted for three days in hopes of obtaining favor from her husband the king (Esther 4:15-17).

God told Jeremiah concerning sinful Israel, “When they fast, I will not hear their cry.” So fasting affects how you are heard in Heaven (Jeremiah 14:10-12).

Cornelius fasted and sought God, and an angel appeared to him and gave him directions on how to get saved (Acts 10:1-8, 30).

The early Church’s prophets and teachers sought God with prayers and fasting. The Holy Ghost would speak causing people to be set in their proper positions in the Church (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23).

Isaiah 58:4 states fasting will cause your voice to be heard on high.

Isaiah 58:9 teaches us fasting will allow you to call out to God and He will answer you and say, “Here I am.”

Isaiah 58:11 teaches fasting will allow the LORD to guide you continually.

So, whether you are seeking God, you’re mourning, sad, or depressed, or you’re sinful and dirty, fasting can aid you in your need for help. When do you need to fast? We should rather ask, “When do you want help?”

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