Thoughts on Fasting
Rick Kingham

There has not been in our lifetime a greater need for the people of God to heed the scriptures concerning humble prayer and fasting to seek our God’s intervention in our personal lives, our families, our churches, our nation, and the world.

“Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Joel 2:12-13

“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 I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

The purpose of prayer and fasting is to bring our hearts to a place of being filled with a sacrificial love that results in godly attitude in our lives. True fasting will draw us closer to God and his purposes.

Fasting brings a sharp focus to the dramatic difference between our physical and spiritual natures. When we deny the natural for the purpose of calling on God to do the supernatural, He will enable us to do great things for God, in His power.

Fasting Guidelines

Here are some guidelines and practical hints from my own experience with fasting:

• If it’s not God…don’t. Most people I know have never fasted. Perhaps their heart has never been open to God’s call to a deep, humble, seeking of God’s presence and power. Many have not been taught the biblical foundation for fasting.
• Determine the length of time – God will clearly identify the duration of time you should enter into the fast.
• Identify the purpose – If God is calling you to enter a fast, He has specific reasons and purposes for you. Before you begin – determine what God desires from you and for you. These could include: revival and renewal in your personal life that includes repentance and confession; revival and awakening in your church; deeper intimacy with God; breakthrough in areas or circumstances in your life.
• Search your heart – make sure your heart is ready for a close encounter with a Holy God.
• Let the scripture speak – give adequate time to reading and meditating on the scriptures. Ask God to reveal Himself through His Word.
• Make time – set aside time to be still and quiet, unhurried by busy schedules.
• Write it down – learn to journal what you read, what you hear, what you think, what you feel.
• Praise God – use this time to sing or listen to praise and worship music to set your heart on God.
• Pray wholeheartedly – give specific time to pray. Fasting alone can be a diet – fasting and prayer brings God into the equation.
  

Here are some Physical guidelines that I find very helpful that came from a book titled “The Power of Prayer and Fasting” by Ronnie W. Floyd. :

• As a precautionary measure, check with your doctor before beginning your first fast.
• Eat mainly raw foods and drink plenty of water for a few meals before you begin your fast.
• Decrease the size and frequency of meals before beginning your fast, especially a prolonged fast.
• Determine in advance what kind of fast you will undertake, e.g. total abstinence, water only, water and juice, etc. I recommend water-and-juice fasts. They help you accomplish the spiritual and physical purposes of the fast, while at the same time they help you to maintain your energy level and your health.
• Avoid chewing gum during the fast. Chewing activates the digestive processes.
• Days two through four of the fast are often the most challenging.
• When drinking juice on a fast, non-sweetened and non-acidic juices seem best. Tomato and orange juice are hard on the stomach, unless greatly diluted.
• Most of my juice was prepared at home. Since I know I would be entering a prolonged fast, one of the purchases I made was a professional juicer.
• If you (a) undertake a water-only fast, (b) plan an extended fast, (c) have a medical condition, or (d) are taking medication, you should consult a medical doctor familiar with fasting before you begin your fast.
• Consult other resources on fasting.
• You may need to restrict some of your physical activity during the fast, especially rigorous exercise.
• Sudden movement, especially standing up quickly, may cause temporary dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Expect some physical, mental and, perhaps, even some emotional discomfort. Headaches, sleeplessness, and irritability often accompany a fast, but don’t allow the fast to become an excuse for improper actions and attitudes.
• You will likely experience some weight loss during a fast, but the weight usually returns quickly one the fast if broken.
• It’s important always to consider the feelings of others, particularly family members, when planning a fast. For example, to plan a fast during a holiday or a family reunion could unnecessarily offend others or draw attention to you. Ask God for the right tine to conduct your fast.
• Some people, even those with good intentions, may try to keep you from fasting; others may encourage you to end your fast before the appointed time. You should anticipate this and be prepared with a kind, yet resolved, response.
• End the fast, especially an extended one, gradually. After my prolonged fast, I eat only soft foods for at least a couple of days (baked potato, soup, yogurt, etc.). I begin with small portions and gradually increase my intake. I then move to other foods that are more easily digested. I often wait five or more days before turning to a full meal. Returning to normal eating patterns too quickly after a fast can cause serious medical problems, and may also minimize some of the physical benefits of the fast.

Pastor Rick Kingham

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