Fasting: Take It Slow

What is Fasting?

In his excellent little book, Fasting, Derek Prince defines fasting as “voluntary abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.” The primary purpose of fasting is self-humbling. This scriptural means of humbling ourselves before Yahweh is seen throughout the Holy Scriptures. Yahweh does not make us humble; we must humble ourselves. King David fasted for this reason: “I humbled my soul with fasting.” Psalm 35:13 Many examples of this spiritual discipline are found in the Tenach (First Covenant/Old Testament). For example, the fast that Ezra proclaimed by the river Ahava (love) so that he and his fellow Israelites might humble themselves before Yahweh and ask Him for a safe journey back to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 8:21-23). Yahweh honored their fast and answered their prayers.

Fasting was required of all Israel under the First Covenant. On the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement (Yom HaKippurim), Yahweh’s people were commanded to afflict (humble) their souls through fasting, “For it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you shall be clean from all your sins before Yahweh” (Leviticus 16:30). Anyone who did not fast on the Day of Atonement was to be cut off from Israel.

A Fabulous Fast in the Tenach

There are many examples of fasts throughout the Holy Scriptures. One that has special significance for our day is the fast proclaimed by Yehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. Israel’s longtime enemies were about to come against Yah’s people. The Bible tells us that King Yehoshaphat’s response was to seek Yahweh and proclaim a fast throughout all Judah (2 Chronicles 20:3). “So, Judah gathered together to ask help from Yah; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek Yahweh.” (2 Chronicles 20:4) Yehoshaphat stood in the house of Yahweh and prayed: “Are You not our G-d, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?” (2 Chronicles 20:7) “O our G-d, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us, nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

Collective fasting and prayer moved the heart and hand of Yahweh and He responded by speaking through a Levite named Yahaziel: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but Yahweh’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15) “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of Yahweh, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)

Fasting, coupled with prayer is powerful! Yahweh does battle for His people! After Yahweh spoke, Yehoshaphat, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem worshipped Yahweh, believed His word, went forward singing and praising Yahweh – and Yahweh set ambushes against their enemies and defeated them. As if that weren’t enough, the men of Judah found precious jewels on the dead bodies of their enemies – love tokens that Yahweh had left for them. There were more jewels and valuables than Yahweh’s people could carry away. (It took them three days to gather it all.) They went to the Valley of B’rachah (blessing), blessed Yahweh, and returned home with great joy.

If we, like Yehosophat, would acknowledge our desperate need of Yahweh, fast (even collectively at times), seek Yahweh, pray, remind Him of His covenant with us, and stand still while Yahweh works, we too would see miracles. Fasting and praying for our children may seem like a desperate battle at times. Some may feel that the situation is hopeless – especially in our culture and its evil influences. We can remind ourselves of Yahweh’s abilities (especially when we are feeling weak) by writing the names of our children next to 2 Chronicles 20:15 in our Bible. As we fast and pray for them, we claim that verse — “for the battle is not yours, but Yahweh’s”. Fast and pray for your loved ones. The battle is not yours, but Yahweh’s. Nothing is impossible for Him.

Fasting in Judaism Today

There are two major fast days in Judaism today, Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and four minor fast days. The minor fast days include the Tenth of Tevet (the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem), the Fast of Esther (13th day of Adar), the seventeenth of Tammuz (first breach in the walls of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege), and the Fast of Gedaliah (3rd of Tishrei, the assassination of a Governor of the Jews, the final blow to the First Commonwealth). The minor fast days are observed from dawn to nightfall.

Tisha B’Av is considered the saddest and most tragic day of the Jewish year. It is a day of fasting and mourning for the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Both were destroyed on the exact same day, one in 586 BC by the Babylonians, the other in 70 AD by the Romans. In addition, on the 9th of Av in the year 1492, the decree ordering the expulsion of all Jews from Spain was issued. As a day of total fasting, no food or drink is permitted from before sundown on the 8th of Av until nightfall on the following day. Men abstain from shaving. Women don’t wear cosmetics. Washing or bathing for pleasure or personal comfort is not allowed. Sexual relations are prohibited as is the studying of Torah — because it gladdens the heart (exceptions: Lamentations, Job and parts of Jeremiah).

The fast of Yom Kippur is more widely practiced and is considered the most sacred fast in Judaism. It is even called “The Fast” in Acts 27:9! It’s a total fast (no food or water) for approximately 25 hours. Children under the age of 9 are not permitted to fast. Those twelve (girls), thirteen (boys) and older must fast as any adult. The sick are permitted to limit their fasting as they are able, i.e. a partial fast.

Fasting on Yom Kippur has replaced the blood sacrifice that was offered yearly by the Cohen Gadol (High Priest) for the atonement of sin. However, at no time did Yahweh change the rules. Yahweh makes it clear that without the shedding of blood, there is no atonement for sin (Leviticus 17:11). Yeshua, was the final sacrifice for sin. His blood is the blood of atonement. Messianic believers fast on Yom Kippur not for their own atonement since they already have it through Yeshua. We fast for the rest of Israel that they might see Yeshua as their Cohen Gadol.

Yeshua and Fasting

We read in Matthew chapter 4 that Yeshua the Messiah began His ministry with a forty-day fast. Following His immersion in the Jordan River, when the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) descended upon Him like a dove, He was filled with the Ruach  (Spirit) (Luke 4:4) and led into the wilderness to be tempted by HaSatan (Satan, the devil). He emerged victorious and returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14) —filled with the Ruach before the fast—empowered by the Spirit after it.

The Holy Spirit leads us to fast. As we fast, He gives us victory over the temptations of the flesh (habits, bondages). Then we are empowered to live a holy life. There is a solution for bondage to the flesh. Yeshua said it: “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”(Matthew 17:21)

Yeshua fasted – so should his talmidim (disciples). In Matthew chapter 6, Yeshua made this very clear in three parallel statements: “…when you do a charitable deed…” (vs. 2) “…when you pray…” (vs. 5), and “…when you fast…” (vs. 16). Not if you fast, but when you fast. Fasting is to be as much a part of a believer’s life as giving and praying. Yeshua knew first-hand the great value of denying the physical to devote oneself entirely to the spiritual. He wanted His disciples to move from the natural to the supernatural. Yeshua wants to help all of us bring the old, carnal nature that opposes the Ruach within us into subjection through fasting. By His grace, and through His power, our spirit rather then our flesh can be our master! As Derek Prince says in his powerful little book on fasting: “When you fast, you serve notice on your body and your carnal nature: ‘You don’t control me. I’m not subject to you. You’re my servant. You’ll obey what the Spirit of Yahweh in me declares I have to do’.”

Yeshua told His disciples that the days would come when the “Bridegroom” (Yeshua) would be taken away from them and that they would fast in those days. We, His bride, are living in those days. In traditional Judaism, a bride fasts on her wedding day in preparation for the glorious union with her beloved. Bride of Messiah: consider fasting as you prepare your heart for the coming of the Bridegroom!

Types of Fasts

Yahweh is a gracious G-d! He knows that fasting is very difficult for many of us. He looks at the heart and, in our experience, honors our baby steps with fasting. We personally have never been very successful with an ordinary fast of no food, only water, due to our incredibly active life (with the exception of Yom Kippur, a total fast). Most of our fasts have been either liquid fasts or “Daniel fasts.” And yet, in spite of our feeble attempts, Yahweh has richly blessed our times of denying the flesh. In Daniel 10:2-3 we see that Daniel ate no “pleasant food” for three weeks as he interceded and wrestled in prayer for his Jewish people. During his 21 day fast, Daniel received only slight nourishment. The Hebrew word for “pleasant” used in Daniel 10:3 is (chamad), a primary root that means delectable, goodly, lust or delight. If Yahweh leads you to begin a “Daniel fast,” the Ruach Hakodesh will show you what that means for you as an individual. For us it means only fruits and vegetables and liquids. The most important part of the fast is not the physical denial but the heart attitude.

Isaiah chapter 58 (the great fasting chapter of the Old Covenant) details both this heart attitude and the marvelous blessings that result from fasting. The right motives for fasting are listed in verses 6-12: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, to break yokes, to see the needs of others met etc. Not legalism. Not a religious ritual. Not a prideful exercise. Not fasting with a sad countenance so that others will know you’re fasting. Fasting Yeshua’s way: with anointed head, washed face, in the secret place with our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:16-18). The blessings promised to those who practice Yahweh’s “chosen fast” are phenomenal: healing, righteousness, freedom, answered prayer, the glory of Yahweh, provision, guidance, restoration, spiritual refreshing, and generational fruitfulness. Wow! (Read Isaiah 58:8-12)

Pray! — and ask Yahweh to help you make fasting a part of your spiritual life this year. Consult your doctor before you begin if you have serious health issues. Begin slowly – in faith (Hebrews 11:6) – led by the Ruach HaKodesh. You can do all things through the Messiah who strengthens you (Phillippians 4:13)!

Fast and Pray for Israel

Fasting can impact the destiny of nations. Remember Ninevah? When the entire city, including its king and even its livestock fasted and called upon Yahweh, they were spared from destruction. Remember the Jews in ancient Persia? When Queen Esther, her maidens and all the Jews of Shushan fasted for three days (a total fast!) the entire Jewish nation was saved from annihilation at the hands of the wicked Haman.

Now, more than ever, Israel needs our prayers undergirded by fasting. Pray the Word of Yahweh on behalf of Yahweh’s people and His Land. We must all seek Yahweh and pray: “Heavenly Father, We ask You to spare Your people, and give not Your heritage to reproach that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, where is their G-d?” Imagine the impact if we all pray collectively?! Let’s do it and believe Yahweh for miracles during the coming High Holy Days.

Praying (and fasting) for you and all Israel!

The Rabbina