Why Fast?

Carla Ludwig, a member of our GR40Days team, has written an article on fasting that I would like to share with the readers of this blog. I likewise submit the second article, "How to Fast", for your edification. Please note her works cited, at the end of each article.


Most of us have a vague idea about what fasting is. We think it’s a religious thing to do, and that we probably should be doing it. But just exactly why and how to fast is something we don’t have a firm handle on. The term “fast” is not biblical or religious, in itself. Fasting, in the religious sense, is not merely abstaining from food. People can choose not to eat for a variety of reasons, such as dieting, but this is not fasting. According to Andrew Wapakala, “fasting is abstaining from anything (in terms of the influence of the body) so that your spirit man can dominate and therefore make you more sensitive to God.” *

Fasting involves prayer, repentance, and searching one’s heart and God’s will. It has everything to do with intent. Fasting is used to draw closer to God and to focus on Him. It should bring us into a right mental and physical relationship with God. It is about seeking His direction. Fasting “does NOT change God; fasting changes YOU!” *

40 Days for Life is a proclaimed fast, rather than a personal fast. “A proclaimed fast is for the purpose of bringing believers into a place of hearing from God. The main reason a proclaimed fast brings results is that it causes people’s minds to go in one direction - toward God. Once their attention is focused on Him, His presence is manifested (2 Chron 20:3-5) A proclaimed fast is valuable and effective because it causes unity and singleness of purpose”. *

The only command found in the Bible to fast is on the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:26-32). However, there are many examples of fasting recorded in the Bible, which demonstrate to us that God’s people should fast. The most familiar fast may be the time Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and afterward, was tempted by Satan (Matt 4:1-3; Luke 4:2). There are only two other times in the Bible where there was a 40 day fast. Moses fasted 40 days on Mount Horeb before he was given the Ten Commandments (Exo. 34:28-29). Elijah fasted for 40 days during a trip from the wilderness to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).

Christ spoke about fasting to His disciples (Luke 5:33-35), but He did not specify why, when, how often, or how long we should fast. In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus states that fasting is between us and God. Our outward appearance should not make people aware that we are fasting.

If we study examples of fasting, we can learn why people in the Bible fasted. Some examples include after the Israelites were defeated by the men of Ai (Josh 7:6), at a time of serious illness, when David sought forgiveness for his sins (2 Sam 12:13-22), and when desperately seeking God’s help, as Jehoshaphat and the nation of Israel did in 2 Chronicles 20:3-4.

Usually we fast because we have a problem and are seeking a solution from God. Fasting puts us in a position to hear from God. (Isa 40:31) (Amp) “But those who wait for the Lord (who expect and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall run and not be weary, they walk and not faint or become tired.” When you wait on God, you are positioning yourself to hear Him; you get His strength *

Fasting is something you prepare for physically, mentally and spiritually. It is solemn and shows reverence toward God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” If we humble ourselves through fasting, prayer and repentance, God will hear us.

So like Jehoshaphat and the Israelites, during the 40 Days for Life campaign, we collectively set all matters aside and turn our focus toward God, Who can change the hearts and minds of the abortionists and their staff, the political leaders and Supreme Court justices of our land, and put an end to abortion.


*Wapakala, Andrew Wafula. “Biblical Principles for Effective Fasting.” www.members.fortunecity.com/awafula/fasting.htm


Other references:


Mahoney, Kelli. “Why Do Christians Fast?” www.christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/WhyWeFast.htm


Wilson, Dean. “What Does the Bible Teach About Fasting?” www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn06/bibletachaboutfasting.htm