By Mfortaw, Ewang Nelson
Copyright © 2014 by Mfortaw, Ewang Nelson.
Fasting means denying yourself certain pleasures as a freewill offering to God. It involves “burning fat” as an offering to God. Every human being is different in terms of the ability to burn fat. Christians are also human beings. Christianity is a Spiritual Body with distinct and unique members: My strength may be your weakness and vice versa. That is why fasting is not about imitation, copying other people, or competing. So, discover your strength in fasting, and have fellowship with God by fasting regularly.
Christianity is a Body. Every member has different roles. Although our roles differ, we are all equally important because the Body is a team (Team Jesus). I may have more strength to fast, while you have more ability to pray. So, I will not complain nor compare my grace with others; instead, I will discover my uniqueness
The different types of fasts recorded in the Bible are:
Dry fast: We don’t eat food or drink water for a period of time.
Example: Moses (Exodus 34:28 NIV) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:5–9 NIV)
Wet fast: We avoid solid food but consume only liquids like water, juice, or milk.
Example: The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 4:1–2 NIV)
Partial fast: We eat only certain types of food such as fruits, vegetables, and cereals, along with liquids.
Example: This is the well-known Daniel fast (Daniel 10:2–3 NIV)
Depending on your choice, fasting can last one day, one week, three weeks, or forty days. No Christian fasts for more than forty days: Forty is symbolic. You are afflicting yourself as a fellowship with God, but it should not be more than forty lashes. (Deuteronomy 25:3 NIV) That is why no Old and New Testament people fasted for more than forty days. Fasting can also be intermittent, where someone fasts only during the day, breaks at night, and continues the next morning.
We have studied the various types of fasts and possible fasting durations. God did not ask you to fast in a particular way: He simply wants you to fellowship with Him and consecrate yourself for a given period.
You are not competing with anyone but yourself. Therefore, if you cannot do a dry fast, do a wet fast. If you can’t do a wet fast, take a partial fast. God wants us to fast and do so regularly. Fast alone or in groups. He does not look at the number of days or the type of fast but at your faith (just like with prayers). Fasting improves our physical and spiritual health.
Fasting has many health and spiritual benefits.
Please remember that when a group decides to fast for a specific prayer topic, it’s important to consider each person’s uniqueness. For example, if the scheduled fast is a forty-days fast, individuals should fast according to what they are comfortable with, whether fourteen days, twenty-one days, thirty days, or the whole forty days. Sometimes, the church leader may fast for seven days, while those in the prayer and fasting ministry may complete the forty days. However, if you have found a fasting type that works well with your body, you should be able to complete the full forty days as long as you are committed and not lazy.
In a group fast, some people may choose to do a dry fast, while others take a partial fast. The decision depends on what works best for my body and helps my spirit glow. I am choosing the fasting routine that allows me to give my all and brings out the best in me.
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