To Feast or Fast?

To say that fasting is largely an afterthought in the modern American church would be an understatement. Just a couple of years ago, Pew Research declared that only 18% of Protestants fast during “holy times.”^[1] And while this data might be skewed slightly depending on how Protestants interpret the phrase “holy times” (After all, Protestants are generally far less liturgical than others like Catholics.), it is still reasonable to conclude that if Protestants largely do not fast during “holy times”, they probably are not fasting during “normal times” either! It would be spiritual malpractice and gross negligence for Christians to forsake other spiritual disciplines like prayer and Scripture reading, so what gives on the discipline of fasting? Is fasting in a separate category from other spiritual disciplines? Or is this neglect a byproduct of a faulty theology of fasting? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and I’ll put forward a biblical theology of fasting for you.

OT SCRIPTURAL TEXTS ON FASTING

It is inarguable that both the Old and New Testaments put forward the practice of fasting as an intrinsically worthwhile endeavor. In the Old Testament, fasting took place during times of intense spiritual duress. For example, Daniel fasted for several weeks after receiving a terrifying vision from the Lord (Dan 10:3). Ezra and the people fasted while they implored God for safety on a dangerous journey (Ezra 8:21-23). Esther called for a fast while she prepared to summon the king unannounced and thus risk her life (Esther 4:16). The people of Ninevah repented and fasted due to the great sorrow for their sin and recognition of their need of God’s sweeping mercy (Jonah 3:5-9). And Moses, the great leader of the ancient Israelites, fasted himself for 40 days and nights while on Mt. Sinai before receiving revelation directly from God himself (Ex 34:28). While these references are only a snapshot of the entirety of the Old Testament’s teaching on fasting, they illustrate clearly the common theme throughout all the Old Testament passages on fasting. Namely, fasting is a spiritual discipline to be done during a time of intense spiritual duress and need.

NT SCRIPTURAL TEXTS ON FASTING

In keeping with the doctrine of the unity, harmony and consistency of the Scriptures, it is of no surprise that the New Testament examples of fasting take a similar shape to that of the Old Testament. For example, at the outset of Paul’s arduous first missionary journey, he was sent out after much prayer and fasting (Acts 13:3). Many years earlier at his conversion, Paul also fasted for several days in response to the earth-shattering encounter he had with Christ (Acts 9:9).  Speaking of Christ, Jesus also underwent a lengthy fast while in the wilderness and being tempted by Satan (Luke 4:1-2). While the New Testament does not have nearly as many examples of fasting as does the Old Testament, it is striking that the circumstances surrounding a fast are similar in both Testaments.  Further, perhaps the clearest instructions on fasting are also found in the New Testament. In Matthew 6, Jesus explains that fasting must be done in a non-hypocritical fashion solely for the purpose of pleasing God (Matt 6:16-18). The Pharisees were routinely guilty of faking religiosity to be noticed by others. Against this, Jesus instructs that all should fast in a manner that seeks to please God and God alone. It is also noteworthy that in this passage in Matthew 6, Jesus discusses “when” a person fasts and not “if” they fast.

CONCLUSIONS FROM SCRIPTURE

So what do we make of the Bible’s teaching on this oft-forgotten subject? First of all, we must recognize that while fasting is never explicitly commanded in the New Testament, it is nonetheless assumed and practiced. By extension, Christians can and should practice the spiritual discipline of fasting in their lives during times of spiritual affliction and need. Scripture does not seem to give the sense that fasting should be a weekly or even routine occasion (with the possible exception of Luke 2:37) and as such, it is up to the conscience of individuals Christians as to when they should fast. But second and related, an absence of fasting in the life of a believer is a sorrowful indictment upon their spiritual sensitivity and state of mind. This world and our lives are full of sorrow, sufferings, hardship and great spiritual need. If our impulse during these times of duress is not to fast and pray, what does that say about our dependence upon the Lord? I would argue that too many American Christians are not as attuned to spiritual matters as they could or should be and this makes the idea of fasting seem antiquated and silly.

So should you feast or fast? In times of celebration and the routine happenings of life, feast and enjoy the good food that God has given you. In times of great need and affliction, fast and spend the day in prayer with the Lord. Some of the sweetest times of fellowship with the Lord have been during moments that I have spent a day in fasting and prayer. Do not deprive yourself of this incredible joy and follow the pattern of the saints throughout the ages!

^[1]https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/05/how-common-is-religious-fasting-in-the-united-states/