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FASTING.docx 6 May 2023

FASTING

What is a fast? Going without food or drink voluntarily, generally for religious purposes.

Abstaining from food and liquid either completely or partially.

Others include any from of temporary self denial as being a fast.

Self denial may not be fasting but may simply be a method of self discipline.

To include all forms and instances of self denial as fasting weakens the purpose and meaning of fasting in our thoughts.

Fasting is not an extreme form of 'dieting'.

A fast is between God and you.

A fast has a specific spiritual purpose behind it; intended to achieve a spiritual goal.

It is to focus on God, his word, to worship, glorify and/or minister to God.

It is one part of God's plan for an "Abundant life" - victorious Christian living - achieving a Spirit led walk

Fasting is not intended to replace any other part of God's provision for Christian living.

Fasting cannot be replaced by any other part of God's provision for Christian living. (e.g.: prayer, giving, witnessing, armor, serving, spiritual0 gifts, etc.).

It is not a gimmick cure all

It is not a hunger strike to force God to actionIt is not a magic formula of rules to manipulate God (ie: ritual)

Fasting is a focusing/concentrating of spiritual power to achieve a specific spiritual end.

It realigns our focusIt renews our human spirit

It strengthens and feeds our human spiritsIt focuses intercession


God may direct us to fast to reveal something to us in advance - to get our attention.

Paul - impending shipwreck [Acts 27.20-25]

God disquiets our spirits leading us to fast to focus on and listen to Him to warn us and provide direction.

We may fast to receive a greater anointing with and from God in order to minister and work for his Kingdom on Earth.

Fasting references: Zechariahs day

4th, 5th, 7th and 10th month [Zech 8.19]o in 10th month - Commemorate the siege of Jerusalem

[ 2 Kings 25.1]o in 7th month - the murder of Gedaliah and his Jewso in 5th month - the destruction of the temple

[2 Kings 25.8-9]o in the 4th month - the capture of Jerusalem [Jer 52.6-7]

Anna served God with fasting [Lu 2.37]

Pharisee fasted twice a week [Lu 18.12]

John the Baptists disciples fasted but Jesus disciples did not (while He was with them anyway)

[Mt 9.14-15][Mk 2.18-19][Lu 5.33-35][Acts 13.3][Acts 14.23]

Fasting was proclaimed at/during periods of calamity [Jer 34.9][Joel 1.14]

To chasten the soul [Ps 35.13][Ps 69.10]

To make our voice heard in heaven' [Isa 58.3-4]

Going without food or water was not automatically effective in accomplishing the desires of those who fasted.

In the prophet Isaiah's time, people complained that they had fasted and that God had not responded favorably <Is. 58:3-4>.

Isaiah delivered God’s response declaring that their external show was futile.

The fast that the Lord requires is to loose the bonds of


wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, feed the hungry, shelter the poor, and clothe the naked <Is. 58:5-7>.

Spiritual awareness increases during fasting - both of God's kingdom and Satan's realm

Public fasts signified a load of guilt resting on the people for which they humbled themselves before God [1 Sam 7.6] [1 Kings 21.9-12]

The Fast refers to the Day of Atonement [Lev 16.29]

Voluntary fasting mentioned [Lu 2.37][Acts 14.23]

A common practice among the Jews that was continued among Christians

[MT 4.2][Mt 6.16-18][Mt 9.14-15][Mk 2.18-20][Lu 5.33-35][Lu 18.12][Acts 13.2-3]

Involuntary fasting (perhaps voluntary) - lack of food

[2 Co 6.5][2 Co 11.27][Mt 15.32][Mk 8.3][Acts 27.21]

Kinds of fasts Physical fast - voluntary

Diet - to lose weight - has only physical benefit.Should be done under a doctor’s care if your goal is to lose weight.

May have spiritual impact good and harmful.God's established spiritual truths, the laws of the spiritual realm, His system of operation, can't be neutralized

They work whenever and for whomever they are operated by.

Spiritual fast - voluntary

May be acceptable to God or not.

Done unto God - Focused on Him and his purposesTo minister to the Lord [Acts 13.2-3][Eph 5.18-19]

You minister to God when you go to Him with something to give rather than get


Ways of fasting Normal fast - Abstaining for food and liquid except water

Absolute fast - Abstaining for food and liquid including water

3 days is maximum [Ezra 10.6][Ester 4.16][Acts 9.9]

Exceptions:Moses [Exod 34.28][Deut 9.9, 18]Jesus [Matthew 4:2]Elijah [1 Kings 19.8]

Done only at God's specific leading and prompting

Done only in situations of extreme crisis

Partial fast - Abstaining from certain foods, liquids and/or meals only but not all

Daniel fasted 'pleasant bread' for 21 days

When normal fast is not possible - elderly / due to sickness or other conditions

Caution: Do not offset benefits of a partial fast by increasing intake of other foods or liquids or by eating more at non-fasted mealtimes.

Types of fasts Personal / Individual voluntary fast

Not announced or publicized - done in secretNot cloak and dagger secret, but not shown off

Done for God's viewing and our personal benefit - Spiritual and physical

Fasting was often done by individuals in times of distress.

David fasted after hearing that Saul and Jonathan were dead <2 Sam. 1:12>.

Nehemiah fasted and prayed upon learning that Jerusalem had remained in ruins since its destruction <Neh. 1:4>.

Darius, the king of Persia, fasted all night after placing Daniel in the lions' den <Dan. 6:18>.


Voluntary Proclaimed (Public) fastDone by the church body as a wholeCalled by the church leadership

Voluntary group fasts (not specified in the law) were engaged in during time of war,

such as when the Benjamites defeated the other Israelites <Judg. 20:26>,

and when Samuel gathered the people to Mizpah during the Philistine wars <1 Sam. 7:6>.

It was at a called fast that witnesses accused Naboth, setting the stage for his death <1 Kin. 21:9,12>.

Jehoshaphat called for a fast in all Israel when opposed by the Moabites and Ammonites <2 Chr. 20:3>.

Reacting to Jonah's preaching, the men of Nineveh, at the king's order, fasted and put on sackcloth <Jon. 3:5>.

Those about to return with Ezra from the Captivity fasted at the river of Ahava in the face of the dangers faced on the journey <Ezra 8:21,23>.

Esther and the Jews of Shushan (or Susa) fasted when faced with the destruction planned by Haman <Esth. 4:3,16; 9:31>.

In times of grief, people fasted.

A seven-day fast was held when the bones of Saul and his sons were buried <1 Sam. 31:13; 1 Chr. 10:12>.

Fasting was done during the 70 years of the exilic period on the fifth and the seventh months, the date the siege of Jerusalem began and the date when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians <Zech. 7:5>.

Involuntary fastingWhen there is no desire for foodSick and lost appetite - nourishment upsets your bodyExtreme emotional state - to involved to eatTime of extreme concentration - to busy to eatWhen no food is available

[Ex 34.28][Deut 9.9[]1 Kings 19.7-8][Mt 4.2][Mk 1.13][Lu


4.2][2 Cor 6.5]

Our attitudes and response to these situations will determine the length and result of this fast, if it can truly be considered a fast.

Times to fast Spontaneous fast

Called by God to meet a specific need at the time

Unexpected and unplannedRegular fast

Repeated regularly (e.g. every Monday, every lunch, etc.)

To discipline and control the body and soul or as God directs

May be continual or for a specific period of time (e.g. 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, etc.)

Easily becomes a ritual and not a fast.

Satan then uses guilt and bondage when the fast is stopped or altered

If it has become ritual, don't stop unless God directs - but change it or your attitude toward it

Don't use ritual as an excuse to stop fastingDon’t allow unjustified guilt to alter your actions.

Why fast? - Reasons, benefits, blessing

Not once in the New Testament Epistles is the church told to fast.

Mention is made of fasting by the church but no rules to accomplish it of when it is appropriate are given.

The textual revisers removed references to fasting in the following scriptures:

[Mt 19.21][Mk 9.29][Acts 10.30][1 Co 7.5]

It is expected of us


Trilogy of service in Matthew 6 [Mt 6.2, 5, 16]

When you give - not if you give vs 2 When you pray - not if you pray vs 5 When you fast - not if you fast vs 16

Note the emphasis on the motive for these acts of service.

Great Commission [Mt 28.19-20]Go...Make...Teach ALL things

Fasting is to be done today [Mt 9.15][1 Tim 6.3-4]

Scriptural examplesAfter the ResurrectionAfter the AscensionAfter the Holy Spirit came upon the believers

Done publically and privately [Mt 6.1-18]Singular - ThouPlural - Ye

Separation of these acts of service

Prayer separate from fasting separate from giving

May or may not accompany one another

Each designed to meet a different need/area of life

Prayer - Act affecting the other areas of life - focus on spiritual needs

Fasting – Act affecting the other areas of life - focus on soulish needs

Giving - Act affecting the other areas of life - focus on physical needs

All are both spiritual and physical actions

Fasting must have a purpose. It does not change God, it changes us and our circumstances. It changes people.

Jewish fast - the Day of Atonement [Lev 23.27]

Proclaimed by Moses. A 24 hour fast.

The law of Moses specifically required fasting for only one


occasion-- the DAY OF ATONEMENT.

This custom resulted in calling this day "the day of fasting" <Jer. 36:6> or "the Fast" <Acts 27:9>.

Four 40 day fasts recorded (undertaken under/for special circumstances)

Moses was with God [Ex 34.28]Moses did not eat bread or drink water during the 40 days and 40 nights he was on Mount Sinai receiving the law

Elijah, fed by an angel [1 Kings 19.7-8] Jesus, prior to being tempted in the wilderness.

Was ministered to by angels. [Mt 4.2][Mk 1.13][Lu 4.2] Joshua [Ex 24.13-18][Ex 32.15-17]

Fasting also occurs in the New Testament. Anna at the Temple "served God with fastings and prayers night and day" <Luke 2:37>.

John the Baptist led his disciples to fast <Mark 2:18>.

Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights before His temptation <Matt. 4:2>.

Using a marriage-feast comparison, however, Jesus insisted that fasting was not suitable for His disciples as long as He, the Bridegroom, was with them <Matt. 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35>.

Cornelius was fasting at the time of his vision <Acts 10:30>.

The church in Antioch fasted <Acts 13:2> and sent Paul and Barnabas off on the first missionary journey with fasting and prayer <Acts 13:3>.

Paul and Barnabas prayed with fasting at the appointment of elders in the churches <Acts 14:23>.

Paul suggested that husbands and wives might abstain from sexual intercourse to give themselves to fasting and prayer <1 Cor. 7:5>.

Jesus never instituted any kind of fastHe referred to them, taught about them, said they were


necessary but never commanded his followers to observe them regularly as a ritual service.

Paul fasted but never commanded fasting. [2 Co 6.4-5]

Very little instruction provided other than the scriptural examples given.

No direct instructions are given in the Mosaic law regarding how.

Never used the verb "to fast" or the nouns "fast" or "fasting" in the Pentateuch.

It is mentioned only ambiguously as 'afflict your souls'.. [Lev 16.29][Lev 23.27][Num 29.7]

Also mentioned in

[Ezra 8.21][Neh 9.1][Esther 4.3][Ps 35.13][Ps 69.10][Ps 109.24][Dan 6.18][Dan 9.3]

First mention of a personal voluntary fast was by David over Bathsheba's child. [2 Sam 12.22]

Nowhere in scripture is a fast used to bring about a revival or to generally defeat Satan.

Satan was often defeated as the objective of the fast became reality.

Satan is to be defeated through Jesus name [Mk 16.17][Mt 17][1 Jn 4.4]

Jesus has defeated Satan already. We need to stand in His victory and exercise his authority over Satan.

[Eph 2.2-5][Col 2.15][Eph 6.12][Eph 4.22][Jas 4.7]

We have a name and a profession (confession) with which to defeat Satan. Not a fast.

Fasting doesn't move God - He will accomplish His will just as soon as we get in line with it and let Him do so.


Fasting is done as necessary:

To minister to God Prior to laying on of hands and setting indiviuals apart for

service [Acts 13.2-3][Acts 14.23] To draw us closer to the Lord in time of need or danger Fasting will adjust focus to God To honor God To praise God To glorify God To accomplish God's sovereign will Fasting is a period of lessened physical activity

It increases Spiritual activityBrings natural / physical results

For personal sanctity [Ro 12.1-2] A divine corrective for heart pride Disciplines the body Humbles the soul A sign of distress, grief, or repentance.

Progression God reveals sin

We confess (repent)

We mourn over sin (See the Beatitudes study)

Sins in the churchSins of the nationSins of the world

Results in spiritual forces convicting of sin

We do not fast for forgiveness of personal sin – we confess it

To consecrate self to GodSets aside personal interests and agendas in favor of relationship to God

Focuses (directs and concentrates) Spiritual forceTo make prayer powerful / effectiveTo do spiritual battle / engage in spiritual warfare

Prayer can be warfare


Fasting and prayer show we mean businessBy setting aside physical demands of the body

Drive back oppressing powers of the enemyForces them to loosen their hold on the object of our prayer and fasting

To receive an answer to prayerHeaven waits for us - not us for heaven

We block our answersPrideSelfishnessNot repenting

Intercession for God's messengers (angelic activity)

Fasting adds influence to prayerDemonstrates to God and self 'This is serious and I mean business'

To receive God's revelation and guidanceFasting increases our spiritual awareness

Spirit controls life / is the source of life and the bodyA danger of being deceived

Use God's word as the measuring stick / the gauge

Revelations often come during a fast

Not a swoonA increased time an concentration on the spiritual aspect of life

Visions, Dreams, Etc - All need to be tested against God's word

Do not seek them but they may come - Do not give in to fear.

Fasting (after a time) stops major portion of bodies functionsDigestionElimination

Fasting adjusts our focus to God (Spirit world)Spirit no longer required to control and support bodily functions

Spirit no longer distracted by other (soulish, mental, emotional) concerns

Fasting brings an understanding of God's word and plans


DanielPaul [Acts 27.21]

Fasting develops spiritual fruit (forces) for use in life [Gal 5.23-25]

Galatians 5 discusses the struggle between the human spirit and human flesh / the body

[Prov 4.20-23]

Incline ear to sayings (read, study, listen, understand) Keep in the midst of the heart (make them a part of your

self) Attend to them (put them first) Keep before the eyes (do not forget them)

- Life to those who find them- Health to their flesh

Diligently keep your heart

- Out of it flow the issues (forces / fruits of spirit) of life

Spirit is the source of life

According to the power [Eph 3.20]

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

EG: Spirit like a 1000 Watt generator

Normal life activates require all 1000 W

The spirit must be fed - the generator must be serviced.

if not output drops to less than that neededcomponents begin to fail - burnout - dim

To service the generator quickly and thoroughly, power demand must be stopped - Fasting

Spirit is serviced, renewed, regenerated through and with God's word - Feed the spirit with it.

Holy Spirit pulls repair and maintenance on your Body, Soul and Spirit during a Fast


When power is turned back on - Your output is readjusted and made more efficient - Output increase to 2000 W - enough for your needs as well as those of others to whom you are to minister.

Maintenance is required regularly if electrical output (fruit of the Spirit) is to be kept up to the level of demand.

Fasting can change God's plans

God does not change - men doAs men change (repent, yield, submit), God can respond with mercy and not allow Satanic domination. God can respond to men differently.

God's immediate plans are often conditional, based on mans attitudes and actions

Sin judgmentRepentance mercy

We intercede / stand in the gap and obtain mercy for self, others, church, nation and the world

Fasting can free captives

Happens to Christians and non Christians alike

As individualsIn groups

Many are bound by Satan and cannot break free themselves

PossessedOppressedDepressedObsessed

Being forgiven does not necessarily bring deliverance

Deliverance requires the desire to be deliveredDeliverance requires confession and repentance of sin

We must be ready to deliverNot afraid of spiritual impotence

Know how to deliver - drive Satanic forces away - by using God's word and Jesus authority


We must do it! - Standing in and using the authority we have been given

We must be willing to pay the price of battle

Time and effort in prayerFastingImportunity - insistence

Be unmoved by all senses - sights sounds and actions contrary to God's word and our faith confession

We must do what must be doneWe must be tuned into God and his timing

Live a fasted life

Always ready - at a moment’s notice to respond to Holy Spirit's instruction

We choose to fast at His leading and prompting

Never do these without God's word

FastWitnessFace Satan

What makes a fast acceptable to God? Must balance the fast between attitude and action [2 Tim 3.5]

Overemphasize attitude and we will not perform the act of fasting at all or we will do it in an unacceptable way.

Over emphasize the act and it becomes a ritual - a meaningless exercise

We are not in bondage to rules - anyone’s

There are no rules in scripture concerning fasting

use the examples - check motives, reasons and results

use experience, compared to God's word

Fasting is between you and God (Fasting in any from)

Fast in light of needs, circumstances and God's direction

We are to eliminate and deliver from bondage


Fasting is not intended to place ourselves into added bondage through fasting

Be free to change or stop regular fasts without guilt or fear or condemnation

Our motive – for starting, during and stopping - must be right

Motive for fasting Not having a proper motive may be a proper motive itself.

Fasting is done unto God - with a view toward God, emphasis on His purposes and your relationship to Him [2 Cor 5.15]

Basic motive - To Glorify God, to bring Him glory and honor

God initiates the fastGod ordains the fastThe type of fast is God's choosing [Isa 58]

We must:

Recognize the rightness and need for fastingRecognize the rightness and need for the particular fast undertaken

Show and exercise the proper self discipline

Do what is required:RepentLoose bondsLift yokesEtc. [Isa 58]

Bare ourselves body, soul and spirit before God - hold and hide nothing

Be certain of God's leading

Beware of Satan's inspired doubts and fears and lies

Fasting is not acceptable when it is self centered

Self glorifyingNot ministering to God but to our own prideRegardless of outward correctness or piety


A right act done with the wrong motive or done the wrong way is worthless in God's sight

We fast seeking on behalf of and for the Kingdom of GodTo accomplish God's will on earth - here and nowSet wrongs right

The disease is the target, nor the symptoms

Spiritual issues and God's glory must be primary

Physical benefits or blessings are the major concern or objectivePhysical benefits/blessing come as a result of correct motive and objective

Self discipline is required Self discipline is a spirit controlled body and soul

Fasting both exercises and generates self discipline

Subdues self will of the soul [Rom 12.2]Subdues self gratification of the body

Fine line between: Normal desires and needs of the body and the uncontrolled demands of the soul

What we call 'Natural/Normal/Healthy' appetites (not necessarily food related) is actually no more than an expression of physical/soulish lust.

Food is common example:Live to eat versus eating to live

Common, necessary activity like eating and drinking can be idolatry

Camouflaging it and joking about it do not change it

We live in a body subject to temptation in order to reign and minister in this world

Satan needs our body's cooperation to operate in this world - he has none but those 'loaned/given' to Him to use.

Satan makes strong attacks and advances on us through our stomachs (lusts and desires).


We must learn to discern and then 'Just Say No' to selfish, unnecessary desires

We must keep the body 'under' [keep the body 'under'], keep it the servant of the spirit and not the master

Body is not subject to the soul but the spirit

When not in proper control of this relationship, many other areas of temptation and invasion are opened up to Satan

Discipline must be self imposed God will do His part not yours

Do not impose your limitations on others

We are not to repress natural instincts and drives but control themKeep them within the proper limits that God has established

Do not deny they exist or ignore them

TEST SELF DISCIPLINE Say no to - snacks or at least 'unhealthy' snacksSay not to the second helping without increasing other intakes

See if and how the body protestsSee how hard it protests

JUST SAY NO!

The fast God has chosen

ISA 58:1-141 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and

shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.


4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

This was ritual. Normal activity continued.Evil attitudes were retained:

GreedSelfishnessPrideOppression

Prayer was recited mechanically, were vain repetitions.

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Prayer and fasting may be required:

To loose the bonds of wickednessUndo heavy burdensFree the oppressedBreak every yoke (burden and bondage)

To enjoy the best and the fruit of the Kingdom of God we must live according to the Kingdoms' principles.

These principles have both a natural, physical and super-natural, spiritual application.

LOOSEN THE BONDS OF WICKNESS, THE BANDS THAT BIND, THE YOKE THAT LIMITS.

BOND

An obligation or restraint of any kind. In the Bible, the word is used literally, of the fetters and chains of prisoners <Judg. 15:14>.


In a figurative sense, it refers to the bonds of sin and wickedness <Is. 58:6>, covenant obligation <Ezek. 20:37>, and peace and love <Eph. 4:3>.

YOKE

A type of harness which connected a pair of animals to a plow or similar tool. Oxen were the most common animals used in working the land.

A yoke of oxen was a pair <1 Sam. 11:7; Luke 14:19>. Using a pair to pull a plow required a yoke to link them together so they could work efficiently.

Yokes were usually made of a wooden beam shaped to fit over the necks of the two animals and held in place by wooden or leather fasteners.

The yoke was also used as a symbol of the burden or oppression of heavy responsibility, duty, sin, or punishment <1 Kin. 12:4-14; Jer. 27:8-12; Acts 15:10>.

In New Testament times the phrase take the yoke of was used by the Jewish rabbis to mean, "Become the pupil of a certain teacher." Jesus gave a gentle invitation to His disciples:

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" <Matt. 11:29-30>.

BANDS

Strong's # 2784 chartsubbah (khar-tsoob-baw'); of uncertain derivation; a fetter; figuratively, a pain:

KJV-- band. ***. charits. See 2757. (DIC)

Strong's # 92 'aguddah (ag-ood-daw'); feminine passive participle of an unused root (meaning to bind); a band, bundle, knot, or arch:

KJV-- bunch, burden, troop. (DIC)

Strong's # 5423 nathaq (naw-thak'); a primitive root; to tear off:KJV-- break (off), burst, draw (away), lift up, pluck (away, off), pull (out), root out. (DIC)

Strong's # 4133 mowtah (mo-taw'); feminine of 4132; a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or


figurative):KJV-- bands, heavy, staves, yoke. (DIC)

These are all symbols of domination. They indicate that one is in a position of slavery, under bondage to something of someone.

The difference between a servant and a slave Is one is in the position willingly, by choice. The other is captive being held and forced to serve against his will.

We are to break the bondage that Satan imposes whether it is through systems, other people or ideas.

We are to fight on the spiritual level drawing on the resources of the Kingdom of God and translate the spiritual activity to physical action in line with God's will and direction.

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Fasting must be united with practical charity in material and financial matters.

Personal involvement and service is required

Divide bread, shelter the homeless, cover the nakedThese are not tasks assigned to the government.

God gave these assignments to his people. Actually they are tools for us to use in spreading the gospel.

As we do these things the gospel will be listened to and heard by those who are receiving the bread, clothes and shelter.

If every Christian church 'took in' 7 families needing assistance there would be no poverty in the United States.

These 7 families would be fed, clothed, sheltered, redeemed and would break out of the cycle of bondage they find themselves in.

When the church abdicates it's job to government programs certain


individuals get rich, certain individuals get re-elected but the ones in bondage end up staying in bondage.

This is more than 'personal salvation'.

Salvation is the point at which we enter into the Kingdom of God (come under the rule and authority of God in our lives).

Once in, we must live according the 'Kingdom principles' God has established.

We must live the way He desires, doing the things He directs us to do and not doing the things He tells us to avoid.

This Kingdom living is not a matter of your losing your salvation, that is your being kicked out of the Kingdom of God.

It is a matter of your enjoying the presence of God in your life.

Receiving the benefits of being a citizen of the Kingdom of God.

Having God's promises filed in your life here and now.

The Fast God has Chosen =

LOOSEN BONDS/BANDS/YOKES, FREE THE OPPRESSED, FEED CLOTHE AND HOUSE THOSE WITH NEEDS

8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

'Your light will break out like dawn'Light provides guidance.

You can see where you are going. You avoid obstacles and holes in the path.

Light draws others out of darkness. As you see a light in the dark and move toward it, you do not

lose your sense of direction.

Light chases darkness away. When light is present, darkness is gone.

They cannot coexist.

Light provide security.


Evil and evil things take place in the dark, away from plain view of all to see.

Light reveals evil activity, exposing it.

Light provides heat. Where there is light there is warmth.

Light heals. Just being in the light drives away depression. It actually destroys may forms of bacteria and mold.

Blessings - Health and RighteousnessGod's glory shall (Literally:) be your rear guard - watch your back for those who would sneak up on you; stab you in the back

9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

God will answer your cries quickly and effectively - we will personally experience answered prayer

If we put away from us and our lifestyles:

Yoke = LegalismPutting forth the finger = CriticismSpeaking vanity = Insincerity/Pride

'Pointing the finger'

It is the accuser, the slanderer that points the finger. The devil is the accuser not us.

God doesn't call us to do the devil's work.

To cease the pointing of the finger, stop the accusers and slanderers and particularly stop doing it ourselves, our gloom will be as midday.

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose


waters fail not.Selfishness stops guidance and blessing from being received.

As we meet needs, our personal needs will be met.

Confusion will vanish like darkness disappears at noon day.

We will be CONTINUALLY guided by God.

We will be fruitful - we will be successful in our endeavors and will be effective in our efforts

We will pass through difficult times unaffected, fully satisfied, our needs met and enough to meet others needs.

12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

We will see the old power, the things Satan and men have torn down and destroyed rebuilt.

We will be known as a restorer and repairer of breaches, between men and between men and God.

13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (KJV)

If we take the time to honor and get alone with, focusing on God honoring Him, he will lift us up.

The way to success is not by working harder

- it is by keeping God in front of our efforts, keeping our relationship with Him personal and primary.

God raises up and brings down, men and our work ethic do not


Jacob's heritage

[Deut 32.9-14]9 "For the LORD'S portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment

of His inheritance.10 "He found him in a desert land, And in the howling waste of

a wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.

11 "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, That hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions.

12 "The LORD alone guided him, And there was no foreign god with him.

13 "He made him ride on the high places of the earth, And he ate the produce of the field; And He made him suck honey from the rock, And oil from the flinty rock,

14 Curds of cows, and milk of the flock, With fat of lambs, And rams, the breed of Bashan, and goats, With the finest of the wheat-- And of the blood of grapes you drank wine.

Beginning with verse 6, notice the if's and the then's.

IF -->Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

THEN -->Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.

IF -->If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul;

THEN -->then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy


darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

IF -->If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

THEN -->Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (KJV)

What happens during a fast - Before, During and After Fasting is feared and misunderstood

Failure to completeFailure to see a successful resultFear of physical harm

Eph 5.29 is used as an excuse to not fast

Eph 5:29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,

Do not give advanced notice of your fast to others except those directly involved

Strike a proper balance between your attitude and actionsOver balance the act - it becomes legalistic - a ritualOver balance the attitude - you will not even perform the act at all

Many having the world's greatest attitude of praise never actually praise God

Many having the world's greatest attitude of worship never actually worship God


Many having the world's greatest attitude of gratitude never actually thank God

Attitudes that are not expressed in corresponding actions are worthless self deceptions - only from remains, no doing

Phases of a 'long' fast A normal healthy body can go without food for weeks and months but going without water (liquids) or sleep for only a few days can do harm and bring death.

First phase - You crave food - feel hunger pangs

Last for several days (2-7 typically)

Usually intense at normal meal or snack times

Due to habit - not need. The body is used to receiving at those times whether it needs it or not

Stomach can be fooled temporarily by drinking water

Second phase - You will experience weakness, faintness and dizzyness - feel generally ill

Lasts for several days following the end of Phase 1

Body has begun to feed itself internally by eliminating the fats, grosser wastes and poisons stored within (you aren't feeding it so it feeds itself)

Junk foods storedExcessive intakes that have been stored

You feel awfulMuscles and joints acheNauseated

Third phase - Strengthening

After the worst of the garbage stored in the body is used up

Lasts until you end the fast

Generally feel good.

May occasionally feel weak or hungry but nothing severe.


Can be around food, cook, serve and watch others eat without much difficulty.

Body still feeding off excesses and stored fat.

The body will eliminate the worst first which is why phase 2 is a bad time.

The worse you feel, the more you need it physically.

Body functions slow - some systems may even temporarily shut down as they are not necessary.

Phase four - Starvation

Return of hunger signals the beginning of phase 4.

Body has used its internal excess stores.

It continues to feed internally but now is drawing on healthy tissue and organs.

Usually begins 21-90 days from beginning of the fast.

it is essential that the fast be broken now - very carefully.

During the Fast Stomach shrinks

Digestive and excretory (waste) systems slow (hibernate) - may seem to stop functioning altogether.

Body cleanses itself

Surplus fatWaste storedDecaying/diseased tissueBody heals/repairs itself

Ever notice how when you are sick you lose your appetite?

Body is focusing efforts on restoration and healing processes.

Unpleasant taste in mouthCoated tongueBad breathBody achesLoss of energyHeadaches (increased toxins in system as body cleanses itself -


often caffeine withdrawal)

After the fast Feel good

Bright eyesBreath fresh/pureClear skin

Body works 'like new'

Senses sharpened

Mentally quicker

Noteworthy Do not listen to stomachs/body's demands

It does not need - It wantsIt will complain loudlyIt will be the first and often the primary area of Satan's attack

Do not return to old eating / drinking / and lifestyle habits or the physical benefits will be lost quickly.

Live fasted life – physically and spiritually

Spiritual activity While your body is slowing and its demands on you lessen, you are spiritually active

You are warring with darkness so expect and be prepared to fight

[Jas 4.7][Eph 6]

Use praise and worship, the name of Jesus, God's word, the Gifts of the Spirit to defeat and drive Satan off

[Weapons of our warfare]

Guidelines for fasting Develop a fasted life like you develop a prayer life

Body grows accustomed to fasting gradually - start slow and build up


Partial fast - do not compensate or stock upOne day fast3, 5, 7, more day fast

Always have and obey God's leadingGuard against all legalist bondage imposed by self or others

The longer the fast the more you must be certain of God's leading.

Do a motive check Prepare your heart and mind

Is my desire to fast from God? Is it God inspired?Are my motives right? Is there are hidden desire/agenda? Is it to impress others, self or God?

What is the spiritual objective of the fast?

Personal sanctification/consecration

IntercessionWhat burden?On whose behalf?How will I recognize the answer?

For divine intervention/guidance/blessing?

For the Spirit's fullness for self or others?

To loose captives? - Who and from what?

To deliver? - Who and from what?

To stay divine wrath?

To bring revival?

Are the objectives self centered?For personal benefit?Of concern for others?

Need to be balanced here!

Is the prime goal to minister to God - to accomplish His purposes?

To effect His willTo praise/glorify/exalt HimFurther His kingdom on earth

Beginning the fast


Enter the fast positively in faith

Expect God to honor your faith and provide the answer

Know what you want the result to be like

Proclaim the fast before the Lord

Base your fast on God's word

Expect the Holy Spirit to minister to you and assist you

Keep records

Base your fast on the conviction that God expects it of youIt is a natural. normal Christian activity

You are not earning extra 'brownie points'

It is you duty, when called forDon't wait for an emergency is upon you to fast

Live a fasted life - keep the spiritual power and efficiency highPhysical fasting is fine but God doesn't want us to live fasting but to live a fasted life.

This is more than skipping meals.

Fasting of the body is a work. We are not to live in our relationship based on our works.

Fast those things out of your life that God directs you to fast (give up / put away from you) as he leads.

Normal Christian experience is:

To live from strength to strength not crisis to cirsis [Ps84.7]To live from faith to faith not from fear to faith [Ro 1.17]To live from glory to glory not from battle to battle [2 Cor 3.18]

Check your motive often - be hard on yourself - Judge yourself so you do not need to be judged.

1Co 11:31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.

If required get medical advice before beginning a long fast

Do what God says to do always

Do not make your last meal junk food

Eat normal amounts


Stop all caffeine intake as soon as possible when you believe a fast is probable to avoid the caffeine withdrawal headaches during the fast.

During the fast Minister to the Lord

To - not - About

Do not minister to others except as God directsThis is a time of focus on God and the objective of the fast

Spend much time in God's wordSuggest Psalms - Read, Meditate (Think on it), Memorize it, Apply it

If interceding - identify with the subjectWe - not - Him/Her/ or Them

Do what God says to doRepentConfessPraiseBattleGiveHelpEtc.

Activity will most often be spiritual activity. The physical can usually be dealt with following the fast.

Fast as secretly as possibleNot doing it for man's glory and praiseNot doing it to earn merit badges with God

Take extra/special care of the bodyWash and groom more oftenDo not allow yourself to 'look' downcast or troubledBody is God's temple - treat it like it is

Guard against a complete system shutdown - particularly the bowels

Finish the fast as planned

Hunger is mostly habit not need


Don't become discouraged/stop due to discomfortDon't come under bondage to others theories/ideas/expectations

Expect Satanic conflictPraise God at the first sign that victory is yours in and through Jesus

Read, Understand, Claim and use God's armorArmor is accepting and acting like each piece of armor is ours (they actual are)

It is having a right attitude about who we are in Christ and what he has accomplished for us.

Defeat Satan verbally - out loudHe is real - the battle is real - the weapons are real

It is written - use God's word

Claim, believe and expect victoryDo not stand in your own strength and meritDo not judge the results (of the fast or the battles) by your feelings

God's word - truth - is the measure of victory

Results are being contested - a battle is taking place

Feelings are not reliable in spiritual actionYou may experience a 'spiritual downer'

Again this is a feeling or may be exhaustion due to the battle

It is not a defeat - It is evidence the war is actually occurring

You are usually more Spiritually active during the fast than at any other time

Determine how that activity is done and where it is focused.

Fights are not often pleasant experiences, even when you winVictory is already yours - You are throwing out a bully, a squatter

Fight to win completely - Do not compromise

After the fast BREAK THE FAST AT GOD'S DIRECTION


Beware the temptation to stop early

Short fast - less than 2-3 days - no problem

Break fast slowly - smaller portions, more often if necessary

Breaking Long fasts requires care

Go slow - Body cannot 'turn on' like a light switch

Normal function should be achieved within 7-14 days

Keep it simple and natural

Control appetite now even more than before

Digestive and waste system must get going slowing/gradually

Watch what, how much and how you eat

What to eat as you break the fast Fresh squeezed juicesVegetable/Fruit

Small amounts taken oftenDiluted if necessary

Fresh fruit/vegetables and milk

Add as able:Fresh salad - no dressingSoups - no grease/fatsCooked vegetablesWhole grain breads

Add proteinCheeseEggsNutsFinally fish and/or meat

How much Stop at the first sign of fullness

If distress occurs, note what and how much you ate, eat less, dilute it, eat more frequently if necessary

How


Chew food well - until liquid - use a blender if necessarySmall amounts oftenStop at the first sign of fullnessRest as much as possibleDo not relax spiritually, only physicallyContinue to pray and intercede as ledFollow God's direction

Do not discuss the fast unless directed to do soLengthExperienceObjective/Result

You should now be 'in the power of the Spirit' [Lu 4.1, 14]

Do not become a spiritual spectator

To intercede get involve personally, identify with the problem, act according to God's word and instructions

Advance through foods slowlyIf distress occurs, check what and how much, and how quickly you ate. Back up a step for awhile.

Reconsider your 'normal' eating habits - change them if appropriateGo slowKeep written records

Public - Proclaimed Fasts Holds great a powerful potential and influence

Brings powerful results - dramatic divine interventions

Weapons

Collective fastUnited prayer (Agreement)With othersWith God's wordSpiritual giftsPublic worship and praiseChristians must either put up or shut up

Requirements

Be in one accordPut aside (preferably away)


Individual differences/interestsDenominational differences/interestsGather togetherFocus on objective - do not be side trackedMeet specifically to intercedeStop normal activitiesDo not have another appointmentDo not establish and quiting time - continue until doneObjective will determine the degree / intensity of intercessionLeaders must set the examplePray for each other during intercession

When held

Usually held regularly by scriptural example. (Not all regular fasts are public nor are all public fasts regular)

Exceptions - special proclaimed fastsSelecting church leadersSanctified and consecrated by prayer and fastingIn grave crisis

Prayer

RepentingMourning over sin With weeping

For nations healing [2 Chron 7.14]

If GOD'S people Humble selfPraySeek God's faceTurn from wickednessThen God will heal their land in spite of the others in it.


FASTING (Nave's Topical Bible) - Observed on occasions of public calamities

2 Sam 1:12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. (KJV)

- AfflictionsPsalms 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing

was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. (KJV)

Daniel 6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. (KJV)

- Private afflictions2 Sam 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and

David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. (KJV)

- Approaching dangerEsth 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in

Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. (KJV)

- Ordination of ministersActs 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their

hands on them, they sent them away. (KJV)

Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (KJV)

- Accompanied by prayerDaniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by

prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: (KJV)


- Confession of sin1 Sam 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew

water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. (KJV)

- HumiliationNeh 9:1-21 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of

Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.

2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. (KJV)

- During forty days. Moses

Deut 9:18 And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. (KJV)

Neh 9:1 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. (KJV)

Deut 9:9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water: (KJV)


. JesusMatt 4:1-2


1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. (KJV)

Mark 1:12-1312 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the

wilderness.13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted

of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. (KJV)

Luke 4:1-21 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from

Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days

he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. (KJV)

- Habitual. By John's disciples

Matt 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? (KJV)

. By AnnaLuke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and

four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. (KJV)

. By PhariseesMatt 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying,

Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? (KJV)

Mark 2:18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? (KJV)

Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I


possess. (KJV)

. By CorneliusActs 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting

until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, (KJV)

. By Paul2 Cor 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in

labours, in watchings, in fastings; (KJV)

2 Cor 11:2 7In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (KJV)

- In times of bereavement. Of the people of Jabesh-gilead, for Saul and his sons

1 Sam 31:13 And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. (KJV)

. Of David, at the time of Saul's death1 Chr 10:12 They arose, all the valiant men, and took away

the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days. (KJV)

2 Sam 1:12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. (KJV)

. Of Abner's death2 Sam 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David

to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. (KJV)

- Prolonged. For three weeks, by Daniel

Daniel 10:2-3


2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my

mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. (KJV)

. For forty days, by MosesExodus 24:18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud,

and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. (KJV)

Exodus 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. (KJV)

Deut 9:9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water: (KJV)


. Elijah1 King 19:8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went

in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. (KJV)

. JesusMatt 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty

nights, he was afterward an hungred. (KJV)

- UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO FASTINGEzra 8:21-2321 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we

might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers


and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.

23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. (KJV)

Psalms 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. (KJV)

Psalms 69:10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. (KJV)

Isaiah 58:3-73 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?

wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (KJV)

Jer 14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. (KJV)

Daniel 10:3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. (KJV)

Joel 1:14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the


elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, (KJV)

Joel 2:12-1312 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with

all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. (KJV)

Zech 7:5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? (KJV)

Zech 8:19 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. (KJV)

Matt 6:16-1816 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad

countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. (KJV)

Matt 9:14-1514 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we

and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the

bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. (KJV)

Matt 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (KJV)


Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, (KJV)

Acts 27:33-3433 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to

take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. (KJV)

1 Cor 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. (KJV)

- INSTANCES OF. Of the Israelites. In the conflict between the other tribes with the tribe of Benjamin, on account of the wrong suffered by a Levite's concubine

Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. (KJV)

. When they went to Mizpeh for the ark of the covenant1 Sam 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew

water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. (KJV)

. Of David

. Upon the death of Saul2 Sam 1:12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until

even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel;


because they were fallen by the sword. (KJV)

. During the sickness of the child born to him by Bath-sheba

2 Sam 12:16 -2216 David therefore besought God for the child; and David

fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to

raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. and the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? (KJV)

. While interceding in prayer for his friendsPsalms 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my

clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. (KJV)

. In his zeal for ZionPsalms 69:10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with

fasting, that was to my reproach. (KJV)


. In prayer for himself and his adversariesPsalms 109:4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I

give myself unto prayer. (KJV)

Psalms 109:24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. (KJV)

. Of Ahab, when Elijah prophesied the destruction of himself and his house

1 King 21:27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. (KJV)

. Of Jehoshaphat, at the time of the invasion of the confederated armies ofthe Canaanites and Syrians

1 King 20:29 And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day. (KJV)

2 Chr 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. (KJV)

. Of Ezra, on account of the idolatrous marriages of the Jews

Ezra 10:6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away. (KJV)

. Of Nehemiah, on account of the desolation of Jerusalem and the temple

Neh 1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, (KJV)

. Of the Jews, when Jeremiah prophesied against Judea


and JerusalemJer 36:9 And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim

the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem. (KJV)

. In Babylon, with prayer for divine deliverance and guidance

Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. (KJV)

Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. (KJV)

. Of Darius, when he put Daniel in the lions' denDaniel 6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed

the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. (KJV)

. Of Daniel

. On account of the captivity of the people, with prayer for their deliverance

Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: (KJV)

. At the time of his visionDaniel 10:1-31 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was

revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my

mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. (KJV)


. Ninevites, when Jonah preached to themJonah 3:5-105 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a

fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (KJV)

. By Paul, at the time of his conversionActs 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither

did eat nor drink. (KJV)

. Of the disciples, at the time of the consecration of Barnabas and Saul

Acts 13:2-32 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost

said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (KJV)

. Of the consecration of the eldersActs 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in

every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (KJV)

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