Fasting is a spiritual discipline taught in the Bible.  According to the Bible, fasting means to voluntarily reduce or eliminate the intake of food for a specific time and purpose.  Fasting gives us the opportunity to think about what we can add to our daily routine in place of the time we would spend eating.  Fasting allows time for prayer.  Fasting shows God we mean business – that we are serious about our prayer requests.  Fasting releases God's power.  Fasting prepares God's people for blessings!

We find numerous examples of individuals, groups and even whole nations fasting in the Bible.  A few examples include:  Moses fasted before he received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28); Daniel fasted in order to gain guidance from God (Daniel 9:3; 21-2); Nehemiah fasted before beginning a major building project (Nehemiah 1:4); The people of Nineveh fasted when Jonah pronounced God's judgment on them (Jonah 3); Jesus fasted during His victory over temptation (Luke 4:2); the first Christians fasted during decision-making times (Acts 13:2-3).  Whether we fast as individuals, or as a group in the case of our church-wide fast that starts this Sunday, April 3, the key is to remember what we are adding to our lives---prayer and increased time with God, rather than focusing on what we're removing--food!

Just as various people and groups fasted at different times, there are various types of fasts from a practical perspective, and the option selected depends on the health of the person fasting, the length of the fast, the individual's preference, and God’s call in the person’s life.  Here are some examples of various types of fast:

• A total fast – abstain from all food and water.  (This is a special fast and should not be undertaken for more than a day.)
• A water fast – abstain from all food and juices
• A partial fast – eliminate certain foods or specific meals
• A juice fast – drink only fruit or vegetable juices during meal time

 Before starting a time of fasting, consider your personal health.  If you are in doubt about fasting and your health, consult your family physician before starting a fast.  If a food fast is not advisable due to health concerns, try fasting from television, the Internet, sports or other activity.  Add prayer in place of the time usually spent in these activities. Again, remember the reason for the fast--it is not to lose weight or to use our time more wisely (although those can be excellent side benefits of fasting).  Our reason for fasting is to draw closer to God and to invest more time in prayer.  As we see over and over again in the Bible, when God's people (or even a pagan culture such as Nineveh) fasted and prayed, God responded with great grace, blessing and power.  As we pray and fast together from April 3-9, focusing on the Holy Spirit empowering us to live more boldly and faithfully; asking God to bring lost people to Himself in unprecedented numbers in and through New Life, and to provide the breakthrough or deliverance we need in the "dead-end" of finances for the Phase 1 building for our mission outpost, only God knows what the results will be.  We know that we have the promise of His word that He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all we can ask or imagine!

Finally, for today, one additional practical precaution for those who determine God is calling you to a week-long water fast – limit your physical activity.  Exercise only moderately and rest when needed. Particularly, if you will be fasting for the entire week, your energy level will tend to decrease over time, and in the first couple of days of the fast you may notice a mild to moderate headache--especially if you are dependent on caffeine and withdraw from it during your time of fasting.  In fact, it would be a great idea, if you are planning to fast from caffeine next week and you are dependent on it, to wean yourself off of it THIS week! 

Tomorrow:  Preparing Our Hearts for the Fast!