12 Types of Fasting in the Bible-what can you Learn? –

https://faithlifedream.com/12-types-of-fasting-in-the-bible-what-can-you-learn/

Found in the Bible: New Testament: Acts 14:23

Context: Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted when appointing elders to the church

Type: Not stated

Purpose of the fast: Wisdom, guidance, confirmation

Length of fast: Doesn’t say

Found in the Bible: Esther 4:16 and 5:2

Context: To save the Jewish people from death Esther has to go before the King (her husband) and request an audience with him. To go before the King without his consent was against the law and punishable by death (unless the King showed mercy to her by holding out his golden scepter).

Esther asks her uncle Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Susa and to hold a fast for her before she makes the approach. The fast is to last 3 days and nights and Esther herself fasts at the same time as her people.

Type: Full fast & a corporate fast

Purpose of the fast: For God’s Protection and Strength (to do what she needed to do)

Length of fast: 3-day fast (Three days and three nights)

Faith
12 Types of Fasting in the Bible-what can you Learn?
By
Lise Stuart
16 July 2024
In the Biblical fasting Guide we explored 9 Bible fasting verses and also looked at how to apply spiritual fasting to everyday life.

In this blog post ’12 Types of fasting in the Bible- What can you learn’, we look at the different types of fasting in the Bible and the context in which the fasts take place. Explore 12 types of fasting in the Bible and the purpose behind the fast in more detail. These examples show both individuals including Jesus fasting as well as examples of corporate fasting; where groups come together in agreement to fast and pray. Let’s take a look;

12 Types of Fasting in the Bible
Jesus Christ Fast
Found in the Bible: Matthew 4: 2-4

Type: Complete fast: Full fast

Purpose of the fast: In preparation for his mission/ to overcome the devil (and therefore to defeat sin).

Context: At the beginning of his ministry Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit and fasts for 40 days in the wilderness ‘to be tempted by the devil’. He is led into the physical wilderness (and the wilderness of sin and world) by the Holy Spirit before his ministry begins. His death at the end of his ministry ends in Glory and a risen Christ. He is made weak by the fast, tempted by the devil but overcomes temptation and the devil. The word of God sustains him when he is weak and tempted.

Length of fast: 40 days

The Moses Fast

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Found in the Bible: Exodus 34: 28 and Deuteronomy 9-18

Context: Moses fasts for 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai in the presence of God as he writes the Ten Commandments. In Deuteronomy 9-18 Moses fasts again after coming down from the mountain and seeing that his people had built and worshipped an idol in the form of a calf.

Type: Complete fast: Full fast/ Absolute fast

Purpose of the fast: Understanding and discernment (while Moses is in the presence of God) -Repentance/ forgiveness when he comes down and sees that his people are worshipping an idol.

Length of fast: 40 days

The Disciples Fast

Found in the Bible: New Testament: Acts 14:23

Context: Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted when appointing elders to the church

Type: Not stated

Purpose of the fast: Wisdom, guidance, confirmation

Length of fast: Doesn’t say

The Queen Esther Fast

Found in the Bible: Esther 4:16 and 5:2

Context: To save the Jewish people from death Esther has to go before the King (her husband) and request an audience with him. To go before the King without his consent was against the law and punishable by death (unless the King showed mercy to her by holding out his golden scepter).

Esther asks her uncle Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Susa and to hold a fast for her before she makes the approach. The fast is to last 3 days and nights and Esther herself fasts at the same time as her people.

Type: Full fast & a corporate fast

Purpose of the fast: For God’s Protection and Strength (to do what she needed to do)

Length of fast: 3-day fast (Three days and three nights)

The Daniel Fast/ Partial Fast

Found in the Bible: Book of Daniel 1:5-21 and 10-3

Context: The prophet Daniel and the others were in captivity and training to serve the King. Daniel requested not to eat the king’s Babylonian ‘defiled’ food and wine for a set period. Daniel requested this period to prove their diet of vegetables and water was healthy.

Type: Partial fast (allowed to eat certain foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables.

Purpose of the fast: For health, wisdom, seeking God’s understanding and God’s favor.

Length of fast: Three weeks (21 days)/ fasted from ‘pleasant food’ wine and meat.

The Ezra Fast
Found in the Bible: Old Testament: Ezra 8 Verses 21-23

Context: Ezra was undertaking a long journey to deliver gold and silver to help rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

Type: Not stated

Purpose of the fast: Protection/Wisdom/ Direction: He needed God’s protection and God’s direction as to how to make the journey i.e. help and specific wisdom in the situation. God provided both.

Length of fast: Not specified

The Samuel Fast/ Corporate Fast
Found in the Bible: Old Testament: 1 Samuel 7: 3-6

Context: Samuel asks the Israelites (the nation of Israel) to gather to ask God for forgiveness for having served idol Gods/ and in preparation for battle against the Philistines

Type: Full

Purpose of the fast: To repent/ ask God for forgiveness-prepare their hearts and ask for God’s favor and God’s guidance

Length of fast: One day

Found in the Bible: New Testament: Acts 9: 9

Context: Paul having persecuted the disciples is on his way to Damascus. He hears the voice of the Lord in a miraculous event and conversion. God speaks to Paul dramatically and clearly, in the process he finds himself blinded and unable to see.

Type: Full

Purpose of the fast: Forgiveness/ healing/ clarity and understanding

Length of fast: Three days (no food or drink)

For God, Truth and Meaning