Should Christians Fast Today?

Fasting, or abstaining from food for spiritual purposes, is a practice often misunderstood by Christians. Since it is natural in times of great grief to lose the appetite, some have concluded that this is the fasting Jesus expected of his disciples after his departure. (Matthew 9:14; Mark 2: 18-20 and Luke 5:35).

History indicates that man in all ages and among all nations has engaged in fasting. It has been used for many purposes including ceremonials, mourning, or as an aid to building self-control and as a method for gaining spiritual strength.

Biblical examples of fasting indicate that it was commanded as a regular ritual (Leviticus 23:27, Zechariah 8:19), but it was also practiced by God's people both individually (Nehemiah 1:4) and in groups (Judges 20:26, Nehemiah 9:1-2, Esther 4:3). Sometimes it was commanded by leaders (1 Kings 21:9,12, 2 Chronicles 20:3, Esther 4:16-17, Jeremiah 36:6,9), sometimes it was voluntary (Psalms 69:10, Daniel 6:18). God's people fasted for many purposes; David, to humble his soul (Psalms 109:24), to entreat God in behalf of his sick son (2 Samuel 12:16; 12:21-23), for his enemies (Psalms 35:11-14) and in mourning for the death of Saul and his sons (2 Samuel 1:11-12), as did others (1 Samuel 31:13 1 Chronicles 10:12). In times of great crisis, the children of God usually turned to their Father, confessing their sins, praying and fasting (1 Samuel 7:6, Daniel 9:3, Joel 1:14; 2:12,15), entreating his favor (1 Kings 21:27, Ezra 8:21); and the Scriptures indicate that God usually blessed them. In one case, that of the Ninevites, he even repented and changed his plans for destroying them (Jonah 3:5-10).

Fasting was habitual for John's disciples (Matthew 9:14), for Anna (Luke 2:36-37) the Pharisees (Matthew 9:14), Cornelius (Acts 10:30), the church at Antioch (Acts 13:2-3), and for Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:23, 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27). Jesus fasted for forty days and nights (Matthew 4:2) and told the disciples of John that his disciples would fast when the bridegroom was taken from them (Matthew 9:15). Apparently, fasting alone does not move God, for in Isaiah 58:3-9 the people asked "Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not?", and the answer is given: "Behold you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high." Again in Jeremiah 14:12, the Lord said: "though they fast, I will not hear their cry." Here, the Lord's people had turned to wickedness and the prophet was asked to refrain even from praying for them. In Zechariah 7:5-6, their fasting was lost because of selfishness and wickedness. Thus, fasting is not a substitute for righteousness.

Fasting, like any other act of devotion, can be empty and for show only, hence the Pharisee of Luke 18:12 who fasted twice a week was not justified. Jesus condemns as hypocrites those who wear a sad countenance that they may appear to men to fast (Matthew 6:16), so he told his disciples to "anoint thine head, and wash thy face", so that they don’t appear to be fasting (Matthew 6:17-18).

It is easy to understand why fasting is not popular today. With so much emphasis on pleasure and self-indulgence as constituting the good life, any appeal to self-denial is unpopular. Eating has been regarded as one of the nations greatest problems, especially eating for enjoyment. This very condition actually enhances the value of fasting for a person with this attitude if he could be persuaded to try it.

The length of time people fasted usually lasted only one day (Jeremiah 36:6), but it has been done for 3 days (Esther 4:16-17), 7 days (1 Samuel 31:13, 1 Chronicles 10:12), 14 days (Acts 27:33) and 40 days (Matthew 4:2).

Fasting, like prayer, may bring blessings to the participant apart from the special blessings bestowed by the Heavenly Father. For the person who would gain in self-control it is excellent practice. It may contribute to weight control and economy of time, food costs, and cleansing the blood and body of harmful toxins, but like prayer, Jesus taught that its greatest benefit would come from the special blessings of God.

Perhaps our strongest New Testament teaching on the subject is from the Sermon on the mount when Jesus was teaching that we should be careful not to make a show of our religion before men. When we do an act of charity, pray, or fast, they should be done without public attention, and with each of these it is stated that, "thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 6:1-8). Doesn't it seem likely that he expected his followers to fast since he gave them instructions for the proper way to conduct it?

Jesus stated we should both fast and pray (Matthew 17:21, Mark 9:29), and so did His disciples (1 Corinthians 7:5). Christians today would do well to consider fasting as a means of drawing closer to God, or gaining spiritual strength. It is not a command, it is a privilege. In times of great stress it is a way of communicating with the Lord, and if it is sincere and dedicated to God, it will be regarded by him (Matthew 6:18).