Q. What is the correct way to fast? How long should I fast? (Submitted by: Valarie) A. Proper fasting requires a person to humble oneself before God. The word for fast in the Hebrew is tsûm, Strong's Concordance #H6684, and means to cover the mouth. Fasting means that NO food or drink enters the mouth. Ezra 10:6 shows this example, "Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and when he came there, he ate no bread and drank no water, for he mourned because of the guilt of those from the captivity." (Ezra 10:6, NKJV throughout) Proper fasting means to afflict the soul so that one can get closer to God and learn to turn to Him for all of our needs. The most common length of time for fasting is one complete day or twenty-four hours. This example comes from Leviticus 23:27: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 'Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. . . . '" (Leviticus 23:26-27, NKJV) Please note the word day in this scripture means a twenty-four hour period. I have known some people that have fasted for three days but this is in extreme cases. One must take caution in this area and consult a doctor before going on a long fast. God wants people to fast periodically so that they will desire, through the hunger brought on by the fast, him to be a part of their life. If we turn to Him with fasting He will respond with spiritual and physical blessings. Here is an example from the scriptures: "'Now, therefore,' says the Lord, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart, and not your garments, return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him — a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?'" (Joel 2:12-14, NKJV) Fasting is a tremendous tool and it is a fantastic way to lay our sins before God and come to repentance. |
