Fasting, as you may already know, is a spiritual discipline that is meant to help the person or person involved to stay focused and seek the face of God. There are so many distractions out there and fasting is just one of the best ways to stay focused and seek the face of God. A Christian can decide to fast daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or intermittently. A Christian can decide to do a short fasting (6AM to 12 Noon) or do a complete day fasting from 6AM to 6PM. It really do not have to be compulsory, but the Christian should be led to do it.
How Often Should Christians Fast?
In Joel 2 vs 12, here is what the bible says:
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning”
So, we can conclude from this scripture that fasting is an act of turning to the lord. Is not an act of distracting yourself to watch movies, hangout with friends or engage in activities that will not benefit your spirit. Now, since your aim is to turn to the Lord, then fasting should be done as often as possible. A Christian should humble himself and seek the face of God as often as he/she can.
A Christian who wants to seek the face of God must not wait for the church to announce a fast, you can do it on your own. Do ensure that you are led by the spirit of God to do it. There are several guidelines to a proper fast.
But if you abstain from food and you did not abstain from other distractions like movies, entertainments, secular activities that doesn’t draw you to pray and study your bible, you did not fast.
Why Should Christians Fast?
Here are 3 reasons why I think Christians should fast:
1. God calls for fasting
Fasting, first of all, is not a product of human intelligence. God was the person who placed a demand for fasting from us, as seen in the above scripture. So, anytime you engage in fasting, you should know that you have to stay focused in doing it because you are doing it onto God and not man. Fasting is not a church program. That is why so many people engage in it and they do it carelessly.
2. Maturity Demands that we fast
If you want to grow effectively and fast Spiritually, you must engage in fasting. I have not met any matured Christian who does not engage in fasting periodically. You must know when to abstain from food and spend time with God. This will help you advance in the Spirit and allows your spiritual sensitivity to be sharp.
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One of the exercises that made the Apostle Paul to be more matured and active than other disciples was that he gave so much time to fasting (see 2 Corinthians 6:5). This was one of his biggest secrets in ministry.
3. Every man is tested around his appetites
Any Christian that has not conquered his appetite is a failure waiting to happen. The very first man God created was tempted around his appetite and he failed. When the devil came to him, he didn’t test his intelligence, he didn’t test him on any other thing but his appetite. Adam could name all the animals but yet, he failed the test of his appetite like an unintelligent person.
We saw the same trick Satan tried to use on Jesus, to test him on the area of his appetite but Jesus knew what to do. If he had not mastered his appetite, he would have been a failure too. So, mastering your appetite gives you a high level advantage over temptations and challenges.
How Often Does The Bible Say We Should Fast?
Well, the Bible does not give any specify frequency for fasting, however, but we see several instances where people fasted in the bible as a spiritual discipline. Here are a few references to fasting in the Bible:
- Jesus’ Expectation of Fasting – Matthew 6:16-18 (Jesus said, “When you fast,” implying it should be a regular practice).
- Fasting for Guidance – Acts 13:2-3 (The early church fasted before making important decisions).
- Fasting in Repentance – Joel 2:12 (“Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping”).
- Fasting for Spiritual Strength – Matthew 4:2 (Jesus fasted for 40 days before beginning His ministry).
- Regular Fasting by Pharisees – Luke 18:12 (They fasted twice a week, though Jesus emphasized the heart behind fasting).
The Bible did not give any perfect formula for fasting, but when men fasted in the bible, we saw the positive effects of it. For instance, Esther in Esther 4:15-16, requested that her people should fast for her while she will also fast before she appear before her husband the king, for it was a law that you cannot see the king unless if he sends for you.
In order to see the king to intervene for her people, the only fasted way to get the favour of God over that situation was for her to take a 3-day fast. After the fasting was done, she came unto the king and she found favour in his sight, that her life was not only spared but her request was granted her.
My conclusion is this: We do not have a formula for fasting in the bible, but the bible instructs that fasting should be done with the right heart and purpose—whether for repentance, seeking God’s guidance, or spiritual growth. Many believers today fast weekly, monthly, or during special seasons like Lent. You can choose to do it as you are led or as instructed by your church.
Why is Fasting So Powerful?
Fasting is so powerful for so many reason. Here are some of the reasons why fasting is so powerful:
- Fasting Helps You Draw Closer to God
- Fasting Helps You Humble Yourself before God
- Fasting Helps You Resist Temptation and Grow in Self-Control
- Fasting Helps You Pray and Seek God’s Guidance
- Fasting Helps You Show Solidarity with Others
In Conclusion
When it comes to the number of times to fast, it depends on you and as well your commitment to your spiritual journey. If you are forced to fast, then it is not fasting but a total waste of time. If you fast and you still indulge in your regular activities like spending all day with your phone on social media, watching movies, engaging in meaningless conversations, etc., then you should not call it a fast. I hope this article is of great help to you. Do well to leave a comment below and share this article with a friend who needs it.
