A lot of people have asked
questions such as, "How long should I fast?"
Or, "What are the types of fasts?
Types of fasts.
The Bible chronicles many
different types and lengths of fasts.
The three types of fasting found in scripture
are absolute fasting, normal fasting,
and partial fasting.
Firstly, absolute fasting is extreme
and should only be done for very short periods.
On an absolute fast,
you take in nothing, no food, no water.
Depending on your health,
this fasting should only be attempted with medical advice.
During a normal fast, you usually abstain
from food of any kind for a certain number of days.
You drink water, and you drink it in abundance.
Depending on the length of the normal fast,
you can also use clear broth and juices
to maintain your strength.
And then there's partial fasting.
A partial fast can be interpreted many ways.
The way it cannot be interpreted
is to include that time between about 11 p.m.
and six a.m. when you're sleeping.
A partial fast usually involves abstaining
from certain foods and drinks for a longer period.
The most common example of partial fasting
is in the book of Daniel.
In the beginning of his captivity in Babylon,
Daniel and his three companions refused to eat
the choice meats and sweets from the king's table,
asking instead to have only vegetables and water.
Daniel and his companions did this
for 10 days to show that they would be
just as healthy as the king's men.
Later, in chapter 10, Daniel, distressed by
the plight of Israel, began another partial fast,
consuming no sweets, meats, or wine for three weeks,
during which he was very focused on prayer.
In the end, his prayer was answered by an angel.
The duration of the fast may vary.
There are significant numbers in the Bible,
which comprise three days, seven days, 21 days, and 40 days.
But there are also references to half-day fasting
and 24-hour fasting.
There is no real formula I can give you
to determine which type or length of fasting
is right for you.
How long you fast should depend on your circumstances,
but don't get lost in the details.
Start with a day from sunrise to sunset.
You will be amazed at the difference
that even a partial or normal one-day fast
will make in your life.
Do not bite off more than you can handle.
There is no need to be heroic and try a 40-day fast
if you've never fasted a day in your life, just start.
Once you have discovered the benefits,
you are well on your way to making it a life practice.
There are times when the Lord may impress you
to go on a longer fast, but for most folks,
a three-day fast is very practical.
A Daniel fast, eliminating meat, bread, and sweets
for 21 days is a fast just about anyone can handle as well.
Some may think that cutting these three foods
out of your diet for three weeks is no big deal,
but if it means something to you,
it means something to God.
After all, when was the last time angels were released
to talk to you like the Archangel secrets,
Michael talking to Daniel.
If it doesn't mean anything to you,
it won't mean anything to God.
I would like to give you some tips for fasting,
which I think are helpful.
When you start a fast, remember that if it means
nothing to you, it means nothing to God.
Fasting is little more than a diet
if it is not connected with prayer and word,
but I would like you to realize something very important.
Fasting itself is a constant prayer before God.
There may be days when the heavens open
and your heart is stimulated to deep times of prayer,
but there may be other days when your energy is sapped
and you just cannot seem to focus in prayer at all.
Don't condemn yourself.
God sees your sacrifice.
When you are fasting is not the time
to sit in front of the TV.
Why would you want to torture yourself
with all those food advertisements anyway?
I can tell you, it's just not a good idea.
Fasting is like a spring clean for your body.
When you begin longer fasts, it is not a good idea
to gorge yourself the days before.
You should actually begin tapering off your food intake
in preparation.
Regardless of the length of your initial fast,
try drinking at least one gallon of purified water
on the first day.
I don't recommend tap water
because of the impurities it can contain.
Water is the faster's best friend
so continue to drink plenty throughout the fast.
See, fasting is like spring cleaning for your body.
It gives your whole digestive system a break,
and medically speaking, that is very healthy.
Honest, it's not always pleasant.
Some people feel sluggish, have headaches,
and cannot sleep, and let's face it, you will get hungry.
But I would like to assure you
that if you get through the first few days,
if you continue to drink a lot of water and juice,
the toxins that poison your body will be flushed out
and you will find something that can only be described
as a sweet place in fasting.
Solomon said, "What has been will be again
"and what has been done will be done again.
"There is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9.
Though men and women of God have fasted since ancient times,
today we have many new books on the shelves
touting the healthy physical benefits of the practice.
As a side note, if you are interested
in the science of fasting, I would recommend books
by Dr. Jason Fung.
Even the Greek physician Hippocrates, 460 to
377 BC, who was considered the father of modern medicine
and whose concepts influenced
the development of medical practices over the centuries
believed that fasting was very healthy for the body.
Pastor Bob Rodgers cites many statements from Hippocrates
and others who discovered the many medical benefits
fasting can have on the body.
Fasting cleans your body.
Tests have shown that the average American
consumes and ingests about four pounds
of chemical preservatives, stabilizers, flavors,
and other additives each year.
These accumulate in our bodies
and cause disease and illness.
Periodic fasting is necessary to flush out the toxins.
Fasting gives the body time to heal itself.
It relieves nervousness and tension
and calms the digestive system.
Fasting lowers blood pressure
and can lower cholesterol levels.
Dr. Don Colbert has researched and studied
the body's need to rid itself of toxins that cause illness,
fatigue, and many other diseases.
I would recommend his book "Toxic Relief"
for specific medical guidelines on fasting.
His chapter titled "Finding Healing Through Fasting"
is an excellent source of information and cautions.
He says, "Fasting does not only prevent sickness.
"If done correctly, fasting holds amazing healing benefits."
Order to test the results of fasting on the human body,
Dr. Tanner, another doctor, at the age of 50
decided to fast for 43 days without food.
He did this under strict medical supervision.
At the conclusion of the fast, he was much healthier.
When he was 60 years old, he fasted 50 days,
and in the midst of his fast he said he saw
the unspeakable glory of God.
At age 77,
Dr. Tanner fasted 53 days and among other things
that happened,
his once thin gray hair was replaced by new black hair.
It was the same color as when he was young.
What's more, Dr. Tanner lived to be 93 years old.
Fasted often, including two 40-day fasts,
and the Bible says in Deuteronomy 34:7,
"Moses was 120 years old when he died,
"yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone."
Dr. Tanner shared some advice from his own experience
explaining, "When you fast, drink plenty of water.
"Water is the great detergent for fasting."
Fasting has also been proven to sharpen your mental process
and improve your eyesight, hearing, taste,
touch, smell, and sensory abilities.
Fasting breaks the addiction to junk food.
Fasting can break the power of uncontrollable appetite.
Some are tied to nicotine, alcohol, and drugs,
but fasting can help break those addictions.
We have only one life to give to God.
Let's get control of our bodies
and go for God with the best we have.
"I have not departed from the commandment of His lips.
"I have treasured the words of His mouth
"more than my necessary food,"
Job 23:12.
In our previous videos, I described the downfall
of some who failed to dethrone King Stomach,
but the word of God is full of wonderful testimonies
of those who succeeded.
It was during a 40-day fast
that Moses received the 10 commandments.
Exodus 34:27
and 28.
"Then the Lord said to Moses,
"Write down these words, for in accordance with these words
"I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."
Moses was there with the Lord 40 days and 40 nights
without eating bread or drinking water.
And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant,
the 10 commandments.
When Haman ordered the annihilation and plunder of all Jews,
Esther called for all the Jews of her city
to join her on a three-day fast from all food and water.
As a result, the Jews were spared.
Haman's vile plan was exposed
and he was hanged on the very gallows he built.
Hannah, greatly distressed over not being able
to bear a child, wept and did not eat,
as recorded in 1 Samuel 1:7.
God heard her plea and the prophet Samuel was soon born.
Judah, Erzra, and the people of Nineveh, Nehemiah,
David, and Anna are also among those whose fasts
are noted in the Word.
Our question of the day, what's a worship song
that has helped you feel closer to God?