The following are tips on how to fast according to the Bible:
Help the Less Fortunate
God asked the
Israelites, Is this not the fast that I
have chosen … To share your food with those who are hungry? … That you invite to your home the poor who
are cast out … That when you see a person who is naked you cover them …. That
you do not hide yourself from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:7)
Therefore ensure that
when you are abstaining from food for spiritual reasons that you also provide food for those who do
not have something to eat, provide shelter for those who do not have somewhere
to live and provide clothing for those who
do not have something to wear.
You can do this by
physically taking food and clothing to shelters for the homeless or giving
money to organizations that support the less fortunate in your society.
God reiterates
the importance of helping those who are suffering because He says, If you extend yourself to help the hungry
and satisfy the needs of those who are afflicted, then your light shall arise
in the darkness. (Isaiah 58:10)
Do Not Engage in Pleasurable Activities
When the Israelites
asked God “Why have we fasted and You do
not see? (Isaiah 58:3), He told them, “On
the day you fast, you engage in pleasure.”
(Isaiah 58:3)
Therefore if you want
God to acknowledge your fast,
do not engage in pleasurable activities like reading your favorite magazines or
watching your favorite TV shows.
In addition, if you are
married, abstain from sexual pleasure for the Bible advices, Do not deprive one another except if you agree
to refrain from sexual relations for a limited time so that you can devote
yourselves to prayer. (1 Corinthians 7:5)
Do Not Publicize your Fast
When the Israelites
asked God “Why have we fasted and You do
not see? (Isaiah 58:3), He asked them if the day for fasting was A day for a person to only afflict his
soul, to bow his head like a bulrush and lie on sackcloth and ashes?
(Isaiah 58:4)
Therefore if you want
God to acknowledge your fast,
heed Jesus’ advice for He said, When you
fast, do not be like the hypocrites who put on a sad countenance for they
disfigure their faces to show other people that they are fasting. Surely I tell
you that they have received their reward.
But you, when you fast, apply oil to your head
and wash your face so that you do not look like you are fasting to other people
but only to your Father who is in the secret place. And, your Father who sees
what you do in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:16-18)
So when you abstain from
food, abstain also from putting on a sad face, carrying yourself with a
miserable demeanor and wearing sackcloth to show people that you are suffering.
Instead, take a shower and anoint
yourself with oils so that only God can see that you are denying yourself and
He will reward your publicly for your private fasting.
To learn more about how to fast according to the Bible, read How to Fast Effectively.
How to Fast Effectively uses examples from the Bible to teach
you how to abstain from food and achieve great results. This Christian fasting book
also teaches you the different types of fasts according to the Bible and
explains the spiritual benefits of not eating food.
Topics covered in this Biblical fasting book include:
* How to fast for answered prayers
* How to fast for breakthroughs
* How to fast for God’s guidance
* How to fast for favor
* How to fast for forgiveness
* How to fast for healing
* How to fast for journey protection
* How to fast for provision
* How to fast for restoration
* How to fast for victory
* How to fast for restoration
* How to fast for your ministry
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